Dave Navarro is leveling serious accusations against Perry Farrell, the longstanding frontman of Jane’s Addiction, claiming that Farrell assaulted him both onstage and backstage during the band’s recent reunion tour. This astonishing episode, as related by Navarro, ultimately brought the entire tour to a grinding halt.
In court documents newly filed and obtained by PEOPLE, Navarro, along with his fellow bandmates Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins, allege that Farrell unleashed what they describe as a "brutal and unprovoked" attack mid-show in Boston in September 2024. The complaint, filed on July 16, Wednesday, in the Los Angeles Superior Court, states, “Plaintiffs Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins were compelled to initiate legal action against Defendant Peretz Bernstein, also known as Perry Farrell, who savagely assaulted Navarro during a performance in the midst of Jane’s Addiction’s 33-date North American reunion tour.”
“As if the agony and humiliation of the onstage assault weren’t sufficient, Farrell persisted in his relentless barrage of punches backstage (collectively referred to as ‘The Attack’),” the filing continues. “The Attack, which was witnessed by millions of people worldwide, was vicious and unprovoked. It swiftly forced the cancellation of the show and, eventually, the entire tour.”
According to the complaint, this alleged altercation marked a pivotal moment in the band’s long-awaited reunion, which had brought all four original members together for the first time since 2010. The group had sold over 100,000 tickets for their multi-city tour, but the incident ultimately led to its cancellation.
The filing also notes that Farrell publicly addressed the incident in an Instagram post that has since been deleted. The lawsuit states, “Initially, on his own Instagram page, Perry admitted to exhibiting ‘inexcusable behavior’ and apologized to his bandmates, particularly Dave Navarro, for his actions during Friday’s Boston show.” The filing further adds, “Perry vowed to take full accountability for how he chose to handle the situation.”
Navarro’s attorney, Christopher Frost, issued a statement to PEOPLE saying, “In 2024, the four ‘original’ members of Jane’s Addiction came together, against all odds, with a new tour and new music. Persuaded by Perry Farrell to revive the legendary lineup of the band, Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins harbored high hopes of capturing the pure spirit of the band’s early days and building upon it. Initially, they succeeded, both in the studio and onstage.” The statement continues, “However, as our lawsuit explains, they did so with a fourth bandmate who was intermittently unwilling or unable to perform to a reasonable standard and who repeatedly threatened to derail the tour. Ultimately, with the attack on Dave Navarro witnessed by people worldwide, Perry Farrell abruptly and unilaterally terminated all plans for a Jane’s Addiction revival. He also left his bandmates responsible for an unfulfilled tour and record deal, as detailed in our lawsuit. Dave, Eric, and Stephen never wanted it to come to this. But they have been wronged, they want the accurate story told, and they deserve a resolution.”
In response, a representative for Farrell stated to PEOPLE, “This is another clear instance of the group uniting to isolate and bully frontman Perry Farrell. The timing of this frivolous lawsuit is no coincidence—it was filed only after they learned of legal action being initiated by our side. It’s a transparent attempt to manipulate the narrative and present themselves as the so-called ‘good guys’—a maneuver that is both typical and predictable. Just as they released a defamatory and completely unfounded statement about Perry’s mental health and unilaterally canceled the remaining tour dates without his input, they are once again scrambling to preempt the truth in a desperate bid to save face.”
As the case progresses, the allegations loom large, threatening to eclipse what was intended to be a major milestone for the pioneering alternative rock group—one of the most highly anticipated tours of their storied career.
