Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 16, 2025 · Entertainment

Frontman Fracas: Jane's Addiction Members Sue Perry Farrell for $10M Over Stage Brawl

Jane's Addiction band members Dave Navarro (L, pictured in 2008), Eric Avery (R), and Stephen Perkins (2-L) are reportedly suing their frontman Perry Farrell (2-R) for $10M minimum in damages over his very public, violent outburst on September 13

JANE'S ADDICTION BOMBSHELL: PERRY FARRELL SUED BY BANDMATES OVER VIOLENT OUTBURST

The drama continues to unfold in the world of Jane's Addiction, with Perry Farrell being hit with a whopping $10 million lawsuit by his bandmates Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins. The suit stems from a very public, very violent outburst that went down on stage at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, MA back in September.

As the drama unfolded, it was clear that something was amiss. Perry, 66, allegedly threw punches at Dave, 58, while they were performing their hit track "Ocean Size" on stage. The 60-year-old bassist and 57-year-old drummer are suing Perry for emotional distress, negligence, and breach of contract.

The 58-year-old guitarist (L) is suing the hot-tempered 66-year-old (R) for assault and battery, emotional distress, negligence, and breach of contract for throwing punches at him as they performed their 1988 track Ocean Size onstage the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, MA

But things took a dark turn when Perry's lawyers got involved, claiming that the band is simply trying to control the narrative and present themselves as the "good guys." In a statement to thescholarlynote.com, they said: "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 all went down on September 13th when Perry allegedly body-checked Dave, then charged at him as Navarro backed off with his right arm extended. The Queens-born belter then swung at Navarro before their guitar tech Dan Cleary got in between them and crew member Kevin grabbed hold of Perry.

But that wasn't the only incident that went down. According to sources close to the band, Perry allegedly punched Dave in the face backstage after the show, and he had been threatening to quit the band as well as postponing his March 29th wedding to fourth wife Vanessa Dubasso in order to add more tour dates.

The 60-year-old bassist (L, pictured in 2008) and the 57-year-old drummer (M) are suing Perry for emotional distress, negligence, and breach of contract

The Lollapalooza founder's wife of 23 years, Etty Lau Farrell, claimed that Perry was suffering from tinnitus and a sore throat and he "was screaming just be to be heard" over the "extremely loud" volume of the musicians. She also claimed that Eric put Perry in a "headlock and punched him in the stomach three times" while the stage was dark after Farrell had attacked Dave.

Jane's Addiction seemingly split for good following the altercation, which prompted the five-time Grammy-nominated band to cancel the remainder of their 32-date North American Tour just three days later. In a statement on Instagram, Navarro, Avery, and Perkins announced: "Due to a continuing pattern of behavior and the mental health difficulties of our singer Perry Farrell, we have come to the conclusion that we have no choice but to discontinue the current US tour...Our concern for his personal health and safety as well as our own has left us no alternative."

In his own statement to Billboard, the "Godfather of Alternative Music" formally apologized "to my bandmates, especially Dave Navarro, fans, family and friends for my actions during Friday's show. Unfortunately, my breaking point resulted in inexcusable behavior, and I take full accountability for how I chose to handle the situation."

In footage of the brawl, Farrell began angrily screaming at Dave and body-checked him then charged at him

Jane's Addiction previously broke up in 1988 after Perry successfully negotiated to have 62.5% of the publishing rights and royalties while the remaining three members split the rest. "To be fair, I could see how he wanted more than an equal split, certainly," Eric admitted to Billboard in 2018. "That was consistent with Perry always going forward to this day. When it comes to money and stuff like that, he's pretty aggressively self-interested."

On January 3, Avery posted a video of himself "writing some new lines to some of Stephen's drumming" and gushed: "Look forward to getting some Mr. Navarro on them. 2025!" And last month, Navarro teased their new music might be related to their 1993 spin-off band Deconstruction by unearthing an old promo poster.

As the drama continues to unfold, fans are left wondering what's next for Jane's Addiction. Will they be able to put their differences aside and get back to making music together? Only time will tell.

The Queens-born belter then swung at Navarro before their guitar tech Dan Cleary (L) got in between them and crew member Kevin grabbed hold of Perry

In a snap of the couple kissing in France, Etty Instastoried: "Just the two of us."

Ferrell's wife of 23 years, Etty Lau, claimed he was suffering from tinnitus and a sore throat and he 'was screaming just be to be heard' over the 'extremely loud' volume of the musicians

Jane's Addiction seemingly split for good following the altercation, which prompted the five-time Grammy-nominated band to cancel the remainder of their 32-date North American Tour just three days later

On January 3, Avery posted a video of himself 'writing some new lines to some of Stephen's drumming' and gushed: 'Look forward to getting some Mr. Navarro on them. 2025!'

And last month, Navarro teased their new music might be related to their 1993 spin-off band Deconstruction by unearthing an old promo poster

On Wednesday, Etty Instastoried a snap of the couple kissing in France