Hatebreed‘s founding bassist Chris Beattie has formally filed a lawsuit in opposition to his former bandmates. In keeping with Billboard, Blabbermouth, and Law360, Beattie claims he was the “driving drive behind [Hatebreed‘s] sound and identification till his sudden and baseless expulsion” in November 2024. Followers at the moment are questioning what actually occurred behind the scenes of certainly one of heavy music’s most influential bands.
The lawsuit, filed in Connecticut Superior Courtroom in New Haven, straight targets Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta — actual identify James Shanahan. Beattie accuses Jasta of “more and more erratic” habits within the months main as much as his firing, finally making a “unilateral determination to chop Beattie off from his profession, followers, touring, and substantial anticipated income.”
Beattie states that he wasn’t only a member of Hatebreed — he was integral to its success. In his grievance, he says he “contributed vital labor, musical expertise, recording and administration duties, promotion, and monetary sources, with out which Hatebreed wouldn’t and couldn’t have achieved its present degree of recognition and profitability.” He additionally claims there was a “longstanding, implied settlement and understanding” that he and Jasta have been equal co-owners of the band, sharing earnings, royalties, and mental property rights equally.
Central to Beattie‘s case is a merchandise revenue-sharing settlement reached in September 2015 between himself, Jasta, and drummer Matthew Byrne. Beneath this deal, “Beattie, Byrne, and Shanahan agreed they have been every entitled to 25% of the gross sales and income from merchandise whereas the opposite two members of the band obtained 12.5%, accounting for the remaining 25% of gross sales.” In keeping with Beattie, Jasta and/or band supervisor Steve Ross managed the Hatebreed checking account and dealt with payouts to members.
However Beattie claims there was a severe lack of transparency. He and different members allegedly “had no perception into how the cash was managed,” typically receiving unexplained wire transfers with out itemized breakdowns. The lawsuit alleges that Hatebreed traditionally operated with shared decision-making among the many three foremost members, however Jasta started holding monetary and managerial selections to himself over time.
Within the months earlier than his termination, Beattie says merchandise payouts have been delayed and considerably decrease than agreed upon. He repeatedly requested Jasta for monetary information in 2023 and 2024 however claims he by no means obtained proof that his minimize was the promised 25%.
The breaking level got here in November 2024 when Jasta knowledgeable Beattie he was “terminated” after an alleged harassment incident involving a Stay Nation safety guard on the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, CT. Beattie insists the allegation was false, saying the guard seemingly mistook him for another person. He believes Jasta seized on the incident to justify eradicating him from the band. The lawsuit accuses Jasta of fabricating a harmful narrative to sway the opposite members into supporting Beattie‘s ouster.
“In terminating Beattie from the band, Shanahan cited to an alleged incident that occurred on or round November 9, 2024 simply previous to a Hatebreed live performance on the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, Connecticut,” reads a portion of the lawsuit. “There, a Stay Nation safety guard on the venue falsely reported that Beattie had harassed her upon getting into the theater previous to his efficiency. These allegations have been patently unfaithful. Beattie by no means harassed any Stay Nation worker and extra seemingly, she mistook him for another person.
“Regardless of Beattie‘s denying the incident, Shanahan abruptly terminated Beattie from Hatebreed, regardless of his thirty-year tenure within the band and the implied settlement that he would stay a part of Hatebreed. Shanahan had no justified purpose for Beattie‘s termination. Shanahan had structured a false narrative about Beattie — not supported by any proof — to different band members following the Oakdale present in an effort to discredit Beattie‘s repute and persuade the opposite band members to justify Shanahan‘s need to kick Beattie out of the band.”
Beattie, a thirty-year veteran of Hatebreed, says his firing has brought on “vital unfavorable influence on his profession, repute, and well being and well-being.” Including insult to damage, he claims the band continues to promote merchandise utilizing his likeness and nonetheless options his picture prominently on their Instagram profile, web site, and promotional supplies.
He’s now searching for substantial monetary damages from each Hatebreed and Jamey Jasta, together with compensatory damages and damages for emotional misery. Beattie says he has been minimize off from touring income and has misplaced endorsement offers since being faraway from the band.
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