The group is at odds after an onstage fight last fall
Perry Farrell is involved in dueling lawsuits with his Jane’s Addiction bandmates, Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins.
The lawsuits stem from an onstage altercation between Farrell and Navarro during a concert in Boston in September 2024, which led to the cancellation of the band’s reunion tour and a planned album.
On Wednesday (July 16th), Navarro, Avery, and Perkins sued Farrell in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeking at least $10 million in damages. Their lawsuit alleges that Farrell’s behavior on tour was erratic and out-of-control, culminating in him punching Navarro both onstage and backstage. They claim his actions “single-handedly destroyed the name, reputation, trademark, and viability of the Band.” They also accuse Farrell of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract. They claim to have lost over $10 million due to the tour’s cancellation and the cessation of band activities, including plans for a new album.
Farrell, along with his wife Etty Lau Farrell, filed a separate 30-page lawsuit against Navarro, Avery, and Perkins in the same court on the same day. Farrell’s lawsuit blames his bandmates for the conflict and violence, alleging a “years-long bullying campaign” against him, including trying to undermine him by playing their instruments too loudly onstage. He claims that Navarro and Avery assaulted him and his wife backstage, and that the band unilaterally canceled the tour and broke up the band without consulting him, costing them significant money and defaming him by publicly citing his “mental health problems.” Farrell’s lawsuit also alleges assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and breach of contract.
Farrell tells Variety of his former bandmate’s suit, “As a founding member and creative force behind Jane’s Addiction, Perry Farrell has always prioritized the band’s legacy and its supporters, which is why the events of September 13th, 2024, in Boston and the resulting fallout was so devastating. Without warning or consultation and using Perry as a scapegoat, Dave Navarro and the other band members took it upon themselves to abruptly cancel the remaining tour dates, violating contracts and disregarding all professional obligations. Perry was blindsided by not being allowed to vote and be heard, leaving him unable to plead his case to continue the tour for their fans. If that was not harmful enough, Dave Navarro then intentionally and publicly blamed Perry for the canceled tour dates, effectively destroying Perry’s reputation and causing him irreparable harm. Despite this continued bullying perpetuated by Navarro, Perry’s dedication to Jane’s Addiction and the preservation of its positive impact on the music industry remains unshaken. He is actively exploring ways to address the situation and ensure accountability.”
It’s unclear how much Farrell is seeking in damages.
