Metal Anarchy

According to legal documents that surfaced via Reddit, Taking Back Sunday are being sued by their ex-drummer Mark O’Connell. He filed the lawsuit after accusing Adam Lazzara, John Nolan, Shaun Cooper, and Jillian Newman of defamation and unpaid royalties.

The following was said in the complaint:

“This action arises from the false and malicious statements made by Defendants, which were designed to harm Plaintiff and to prevent Plaintiff from continuing to work with Taking Back Sunday as a drummer and songwriter and to prevent Plaintiff from garnering other business opportunities within the music industry. These false and malicious statements alleged that O’Connell was addicted to drugs, that he was suffering from mental health conditions and delusions, that he is an unfit parent, and that he is a danger to his children and others. In reality, O’Connell has been sober for two years, is not suffering from any mental health conditions or delusions, is a devoted and committed parent to his children, and is not a danger to his children or others. This action also arises from Defendants’ repeated failure to provide accountings, failure to make annual distributions or dividends to O’Connell and failure to properly pay O’Connell for his role as an officer in the band’s various entities, and for his role as a drummer during the Band’s 2024 tour. Defendants have refused to retract the false statements about O’Connell and have not paid O’Connell the monies owed to him. Left without any other recourse, O’Connell is forced to bring this action for injunctive relief and other damages suffered by O’Connell, including an award of attorneys’ fees, and punitive and statutory damages.”