Jane’s Addiction is never, ever getting back together again
After a spectacular onstage breakup last September 13, it appears that Jane’s Addiction is no closer to getting back together. In fact, we’ve probably seen the last of them.
Frontman Perry Farrell is under a full-scale legal attack from his former bandmates. Guitarist Dave Navarro is suing Farrell for assault and battery while the rhythm section of Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins are suing for emotional distress, negligence, and breach of contract.
How much do they want? Just US$10 million. That represents the money lost from the canceled tour.
Navarro says that the on-stage blowup was the last straw. Farrell had only grown more erratic throughout that tour, something that began at the very first date when Farrell insisted that his wife, Etty Lau, be allowed to dance onstage during their set. From that point on, Farrell showed up more and more drunk for each gig.
Navarro was still suffering from Long COVID when the bust-up happened, contending that when Farrell went after him, he was “still weak.” Farrell also gave him a shot to the face backstage. (Dave was receiving $25,000 in disability benefits during the time he was recovering.)
That was it. The rest of the tour was canceled. And despite an apology from Farrell–he accepted full responsibility–things have not improved.
Here’s a quote from the 36-page complaint:
“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…Perry’s repeated and unprovoked attack on Navarro was especially painful because Perry knew that Navarro was still weak and suffering from the effects of long COVID-19.”
Navarro also says the attack triggered memories of the time he saw his mother and aunt murdered by a jealous ex-boyfriend when he was a teenager.
“Dave, Eric, and Stephen never wanted it to come to this. But they have been wronged, want the accurate story told, and they deserve a resolution.”
Farrell’s lawyers have replied:
“This is yet another clear example of the group uniting to isolate and bully frontman Perry Farrell. The timing of this baseless lawsuit is no coincidence—it was filed only after they caught wind of legal action coming from our side. It’s a transparent attempt to control the narrative and present themselves as the so-called ‘good guys’—a move that’s both typical and predictable. Just like when they released a defamatory and entirely unfounded statement about Perry’s mental health and unilaterally canceled the remaining tour dates without his input, they’re once again scrambling to get ahead of the truth in a desperate effort to save face.”
We’ll see where this goes, won’t we?
