According to those paragons of journalistic integrity at Variety, Perry Farrell, the man who brought you Lollapalooza (and possibly VD), has decided to grace his JANE’S ADDICTION bandmates Dave Navarro, Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins with a lawsuit. Because what’s a band breakup without some good old-fashioned legal squabbling? It’s like the cherry on top of a sundae of musical mediocrity 🍒. And he did it just hours after those ingrates sued him. Talk about petty 🙄.
So, Navarro, Avery, and Perkins, in a move that can only be described as “slightly overdue,” filed a lawsuit against Farrell on Wednesday (July 16). Apparently, Perry’s little onstage hissy fit with Navarro last September (you know, the one that single-handedly destroyed JANE’S ADDICTION‘s oh-so-anticipated reunion tour) has some legal repercussions. Their claims? Oh, just a casual list including intentional infliction of emotional distress (because apparently, Perry’s singing wasn’t distressing enough), negligence (in being a functional bandmate, perhaps?), breach of fiduciary duty (wait, was there money involved? 🤔) and breach of contract (because promises are for suckers, amirite?). Navarro also threw in some allegations of assault and battery for good measure, because why not? 🤷♂️
In his complaint (which, according to Variety, is totally NOT a countersuit, wink wink nudge nudge), Perry, bless his heart, whines: “That JANE’S ADDICTION‘s bandmates have sometimes been antagonistic towards each other has been well-documented.” No kidding, Perry! It’s part of your charm… or lack thereof. He continues, “But Navarro, Avery and Perkins apparently decided that JANE’S ADDICTION‘s decades of success should be jettisoned in pursuit of a years-long bullying campaign against Farrell involving harassing him onstage during performances.” Oh, boo-hoo, Perry! Did they steal your hair extensions too? 😭 Apparently, this “harassment” included “trying to undermine him by playing their instruments at a high volume so that he could not hear himself sing without blasting his own in-ear monitors at an unsafe level.” The horror! 😱 And it “escalated on September 13, 2024 to physical violence by Navarro and Avery against Farrell onstage during the Boston show and the assault of both Perry and [Perry‘s wife] Etty Lau Farrell backstage by Navarro.” Because everyone knows that the best way to resolve creative differences is with a good old-fashioned brawl 👊. These altercations precipitated the decision by Navarro, Avery and Perkins to both call off the rest of the band’s North American tour. Without warning or consultation and using Perry Farrell, as a scapegoat, Navarro and the other band members took it upon themselves to abruptly cancel the remaining tour dates — violating contracts and disregarding all professional obligations — and apparently break up the band for good.” Good riddance, I say! 👋
And let’s not forget Navarro‘s alleged backstage assault! The complaint reads: “Navarro now falsely claims Farrell hit Navarro with a sucker punch.” Oh, the audacity! “What actually happened was that it was Navarro who menacingly charged at and aggressively assaulted both Farrell and his wife Etty Lau backstage, shouting, ‘What the fuck was that, you motherfucker?!'” Classy! 🥂 “Farrell took a defensive stance and shouted, ‘Get the fuck out of here!’ to which Navarro replied, ‘I am never working with you again!'” Well, duh! 🙄
The complaint continues: “[Farrell] was not even consulted about cancelling the tour and would not have agreed to do so due to the financial and reputational consequences, as well as exposure to third-party legal liability created by their allowing Wilton Hilton, Inc., the band’s touring company, breach its touring commitments.” So, basically, it’s all about the money, honey! 💰
In a statement shared with Variety, Farrell said of the trio’s lawsuit: “As a founding member and creative force behind JANE’S ADDICTION, Perry Farrell has always prioritized the band’s legacy and its supporters.” Oh, please! 🙄 “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.” Because Perry’s reputation was so pristine to begin with! 😂 “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.” Translation: “I’m gonna sue their pants off!” 🤣
According to those other bastions of truth at Rolling Stone, Navarro, Avery and Perkins filed their lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging that the group lost over $10 million as a result of the tour’s cancelation. Ten million dollars! That’s a lot of hairspray and eyeliner, people! 💄
“The Band can no longer function as a result of the Defendant’s conduct, including his sudden, violent outbursts and demonstrated inability to serve as the Band’s frontman and vocalist,” their complaint said. Well, duh! 🙄 “The physical, emotional, and financial harms Defendant has wrought have deeply impacted the Plaintiffs, their families, and their loved ones, and it is time for Defendant to face the consequences of his actions and be held accountable.” Someone get the tiny violins out! 🎻
The JANE’S ADDICTION members also alleged in their lawsuit that Farrell was often unable to deliver on stage as a result of his alcohol consumption. Shocker! 🥃
“Plaintiffs (and others in attendance) had observed during the Tour that Perry regularly appeared onstage in an advanced state of intoxication,” reads the complaint. “He would often drink wine onstage and slur his speech. Perry frequently went on long, rambling discursions between songs for no apparent purpose other than for his own amusement. The problems with Perry’s performance would often worsen as the night wore on and he became more intoxicated.” So, basically, a typical JANE’S ADDICTION concert then? 🤔
Christopher Frost, the attorney representing Navarro, Avery and Perkins, said in a statement to Rolling Stone: “Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins had high hopes that they could capture the pure spirit of the band’s early days and build on it.” Oh, the naiveté! 😇 “Initially they did, in the studio and onstage. But … they did so with a fourth bandmate who was by turns unwilling or unable to perform to a reasonable standard and who repeatedly threatened to derail the tour.” Aka Perry being Perry. 🤪
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
