Paramore Involved In Legal Dispute With Ex-Bassist

Tennessee pop punk outfit Paramore — that is, the two remaining members Hayley Williams and Taylor York — are embroiled in a legal dispute with former bassist Jeremy Davis, who left the band in December last year. 

As The Tennessean reports, the dispute circles around whether Davis is an employee of the band or a business partner of Varoom Whoa, the business entity that operates Paramore and is fully owned by Williams.

Davis claims he is a partner in the company, having been responsible for decision making, hiring musicians, stage crew and advisers, and should be entitled to royalties, touring revenue and other income, while Varoom Whoa and Williams claims he was simply an employee of the band. Williams is the only member signed to Atlantic Records.

Varoom Whoa reportedly sued Davis preemptively in February, which David filed a counterclaim for last week. He claims he and Williams founded Paramore together.

The initial lawsuit claimed, "Because she wanted to foster a feeling of camaraderie within the band, at her direction, the band members’ salaries included a portion of Williams’ earnings," while Davis' countersuit says, "Thereafter, and at all times relevant hereto, Davis, Williams and York shared equally in all net profits generated by the partnership, from any and all sources, including but not limited to the Atlantic agreement."

This is not the first time the band have been on messy terms with their ex-members, particularly when drummer Zac Farro and guitarist Josh Farro left the band, though this January Josh Farro said he was finally on speaking terms with Williams again — "It's a good feeling to know that you're on good terms with someone you had a bad breakup with, so all's well now."

Paramore have just kicked off their annual Parahoy! cruise from Miami to Mexico — interestingly their website still makes reference to Davis being in the band and joining Williams and York on the cruise ship.