Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Last week, a Connecticut judge rejected a request by frontman Jamey Jasta (also known as James Shanahan) and the hardcore outfit Hatebreed to have the lawsuit filed by founding bassist Chris Beattie effectively dismissed, as per Lambgoat. Beattie’s lawsuit against his former band will therefore go forward. Beattie was formally replaced in Hatebreed in the beginning of 2025 without any more justification. Beattie disclosed his dismissal from the band in November 2024 two days later, claiming that his “departure was uncalled for and based on misleading and wrongful statements that will be subject to future actions.”
Defendants Shanahan et al. responded to plaintiff Beattie’s following complaint by moving to strike the majority of Beattie’s claims, including tortious interference, unjust enrichment, responsibilities flowing from partnership, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and breach of contract. However, the Superior Court in the Judicial District of New Haven rejected the application to strike all of the aforementioned counts this past Thursday, dealing a serious setback to Hatebreed’s legal countermoves. A “Judicial ADR Event” is planned for early June. This kind of conference is a court-conducted settlement meeting where the parties will have the chance to negotiate a prospective settlement and possibly prevent additional litigation. The case will go to trial next spring, with jury selection in April 2027, if a settlement cannot be reached.
In and around New Haven, Connecticut, Hatebreed was founded in 1994. The original lineup was frontman Jamey Jasta, bassist Chris Beattie, drummer Dave Russo, guitarists Wayne Lozinak and Larry Dwyer Jr. In 1995, a three-song demo of this five-piece was recorded and sold to locals. Later that year, those tracks were released on a split 7-inch with New York’s Neglect. After that, they released the highly regarded EP “Under the Knife”, which was supposed to be released by Big Wheel Recreation in 1995 but was instead self-released in 1996. They also supported UKHC band Voorhees on a tour of the east coast and midwest.
