JANE’S ADDICTION Bandmates Sue PERRY FARRELL for 10 Million Over Onstage Fight; FARRELL Responds With Countersuit Alleging Years of Bullying and Harassment

Members of the rock band Jane’s Addiction have filed a $10 million lawsuit against frontman Perry Farrell, following a public onstage fight in Boston that ended their 2024 reunion tour (via Rolling Stone).

The band’s guitarist Dave Navarro, bassist Eric Avery, and drummer Stephen Perkins accuse Farrell of assault, battery, emotional distress, negligence, and breach of contract.

In response, Farrell has filed a countersuit, alleging bullying, harassment, and physical assault from his former bandmates.

What happened in Boston

The original lawsuit centers on a show at Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston on September 13, 2024. During the performance of the song Ocean Size, Farrell allegedly shoved Navarro onstage near the end of his guitar solo (watch below).

According to the lawsuit, Farrell’s behavior had become increasingly erratic during the tour. Bandmates say he slurred his speech, forgot lyrics, and delivered long, rambling monologues between songs.

They also allege he drank wine onstage and appeared intoxicated during multiple performances.

The lawsuit describes the moment in Boston as a breaking point. Farrell reportedly became agitated during Navarro’s solo, then physically attacked him. The band stopped playing and walked off stage.

Physical fight backstage

After the onstage incident, tensions continued backstage. The complaint claims Farrell became aggressive when confronted by Navarro.

“Perry threw another unexpected punch at him, striking him on the left side of the face. Navarro was hurt,” the filing states.

They also accuse Farrell of escalating earlier conflicts that had plagued the tour since its start.

“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,” the complaint says.

The lawsuit calls the Boston altercation a “terminal inflection point” that ended the tour and the band’s future plans.

Tour collapse and financial loss

The canceled tour had been planned as a full-scale revival. The classic lineup had reunited for a 33-date North American run, and they were working on their first full album together since 1990’s Ritual de lo Habitual.

The band now says all of that is off the table. The tour’s collapse cost each member a reported $10,000 per show, and they say they’re now stuck paying $40,000 in unpaid commissions to their business and legal teams.

Navarro claims he gave up $5,000-per-month disability payments to join the tour after suffering long-term effects from COVID-19. He also postponed his wedding in Scotland, losing $100,000 in deposits, according to the suit.

The band alleges Farrell’s actions may also lead to repayment of an advance from Warner Music Group’s ADA, since they can no longer finish the album.

Etty Lau Farrell’s role

Farrell’s wife Etty Lau Farrell is named in both lawsuits. According to Navarro, Avery, and Perkins, she played a disruptive role during the tour’s launch in Las Vegas.

The lawsuit claims that Etty insisted on showing a video of herself and other dancers during the concert, against the wishes of the rest of the band.

“With fans already streaming into the theater, Plaintiffs were in their dressing rooms trying to figure out how to go on with the show,” the lawsuit says.

They also allege she yelled, “The Band was ‘not a democracy’ when it came to including dancers,” and threatened to cancel the tour unless her demands were met.

Perry Farrell’s countersuit

On July 16, 2025, Farrell responded with his own legal action. His lawsuit claims he was the real victim.

He accuses Navarro, Avery, and Perkins of harassment, saying they played their instruments at high volumes to drown out his vocals.

“Farrell became angry that Navarro, playing at top volume, was bullying him yet again and callously refused to lower his volume,” the suit reads.

Farrell admits to body-checking Navarro during Ocean Size but insists he didn’t throw punches.

“Farrell did not throw any punches, but simply wanted to alert Navarro that he had to stop playing so loud,” the complaint says.

He claims that Navarro and Avery escalated the situation violently, including backstage. Farrell’s wife Etty is also listed as a victim, with the suit alleging that both were “menacingly charged at and aggressively assaulted.”

Conflicting accounts

The opposing lawsuits paint two very different pictures.

Navarro, Avery, and Perkins say Farrell was unpredictable and unfit to tour, citing concerns about his physical and mental state.

Farrell’s camp argues the other three bandmates undermined him, ignored tour agreements, and canceled the tour without his input.

“It was Defendants who elected to cancel the tour without informing and/or even hearing from Perry Farrell,” his lawsuit claims.

His attorneys, Bryan J. Freedman and Miles M. Cooley, say Farrell is “actively exploring ways to address the situation and ensure accountability.”

A failed comeback

The 2024 tour was supposed to be a full-circle moment for Jane’s Addiction.

The band had dropped new singles (Imminent Redemption and True Love), started studio work on a full album, and reconnected with longtime fans.

“Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins had high hopes that they could capture the pure spirit of the band’s early days,” said the band’s attorney Christopher Frost.

“But they did so with a fourth bandmate who was by turns unwilling or unable to perform to a reasonable standard,” he added.

Now those hopes appear to be permanently shelved.

No future for Jane’s Addiction

In a recent interview with Guitar Player, Navarro made it clear the band is over.

“[The onstage altercation] forever destroyed the band’s life,” he said. “And there’s no chance for the band to ever play together again.”

So after more than 40 years of music, reunions, breakups, and reinventions, Jane’s Addiction may have finally reached the end of the road.

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