Perry Farrell Sues Back Jane’s Addiction Members Just After Hours

In a dramatic legal showdown, Perry Farrell has launched a lawsuit against his former Jane’s Addiction bandmates just hours after they took legal action against him. The legal battle centers on a heated onstage confrontation last September that abruptly ended the band’s reunion tour and shelved plans for new music.

The Incident and Accusations Fly

Navarro, bassist Eric Avery, and drummer Stephen Perkins are seeking up to $10 million in damages for lost income, claiming, “The physical, emotional and financial harms Defendant has wrought have deeply impacted the Plaintiffs, their families and their loved ones,” and that “it is time for Defendant to face the consequences of his actions and be held accountable.”

Farrell’s counterclaims paint a different picture, accusing the trio of bullying him for years and alleging assault, battery, emotional distress, and breach of contract. His legal filings explain that the infamous onstage clash began when he tried to tell Navarro his guitar was too loud during “Ocean Size.” The documents state, “Farrell did not throw any punches, but simply wanted to alert Navarro that he had to stop playing so loud.” They further argue that the situation “was hardly one-sided,” accusing Navarro and Avery of an “inappropriate violent escalation” in response to Farrell’s “minor bodycheck.”

Mental Health and Motives in the Spotlight

Farrell also insists he wanted the tour to continue, claiming that when the band canceled it, citing his “mental health difficulties,” it was a deliberate attempt to undermine him. According to the lawsuit:

“[D]efendants made their false and defamatory statements regarding Perry Farrell’s mental health in a spurious effort … to change the narrative about the events of the band’s last show, but also as a part of a disingenuous effort to secure insurance coverage for their own irresponsible cancellation of the tour.”

In response, the band’s lawyer referenced video footage and an Instagram post from Farrell’s wife, who said:

“Perry was clearly the aggressor, I’m not arguing that point at all… [H]e has been struggling mentally for quite some time.”

The lawyer added:

“You can believe Perry himself when he apologized to the band: ‘…Unfortunately, my breaking point resulted in inexcusable behavior.’ Today’s complaint from Perry… is revisionist history. It won’t stand.”