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Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Brian Jonestown Massacre Claims Settled

SAN FRANCISCO (CN) - A fight over royalties between Brian Jonestown Massacre singer Anton Newcombe and former guitarist Jeffery Davies ended with dual dismissals with prejudice on New Year's Eve.

The former bandmates reached an undisclosed settlement in October, and U.S. District Judge Nathaneal Cousins dismissed both cases on Dec. 31.

The two tangled over writing credits and royalties on several songs.

Davies claimed he'd written two songs, helped write three other songs and had ownership interest in several more.

Newcombe claimed Davies had claims only to "Straight Up and Down," "Monster," and "Straight Up and Down II." He sued Davies, who filed a counterclaim .

"Straight Up and Down" plays during the opening credits of the popular HBO series "Boardwalk Empire."

Davies joined the band in the 1990s and left in 2002 after a fallout with Newcombe.

Davies claimed Newcombe told band members during the 1990s that they would be credited for any songs they wrote and on which they performed, and promised him a portion of the band's recordings' proceeds.

But Davies said Newcombe and his attorney, counterdefendant Barry Simons, tried to prevent him from being paid royalties.

Judge Cousins dismissed both cases, and told each side to pay its own attorney's fees.

Newcombe was represented by David M. Given with Phillips, Erlewine & Given, in San Francisco, Davies by Joshua W. Glotzer with Glotzer & Sweat of Beverly Hills.

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