CHRIS BEATTIE Sues HATEBREED Over Financial Damages & Reveals The Reason He Got Fired

Hatebreed‘s founding bassist Chris Beattie has officially filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates. According to Billboard, Blabbermouth, and Law360, Beattie claims he was the “driving force behind [Hatebreed‘s] sound and identity until his sudden and baseless expulsion” in November 2024. Fans are now wondering what really happened behind the scenes of one of heavy music’s most influential bands.

The lawsuit, filed in Connecticut Superior Court in New Haven, directly targets Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta — real name James Shanahan. Beattie accuses Jasta of “increasingly erratic” behavior in the months leading up to his firing, ultimately making a “unilateral decision to cut Beattie off from his career, fans, touring, and substantial expected revenue.”

Beattie states that he wasn’t just a member of Hatebreed — he was integral to its success. In his complaint, he says he “contributed significant labor, musical talent, recording and management duties, promotion, and financial resources, without which Hatebreed would not and could not have achieved its current level of recognition and profitability.” He also claims there was a “longstanding, implied agreement and understanding” that he and Jasta were equal co-owners of the band, sharing profits, royalties, and intellectual property rights equally.

Central to Beattie‘s case is a merchandise revenue-sharing agreement reached in September 2015 between himself, Jasta, and drummer Matthew Byrne. Under this deal, “Beattie, Byrne, and Shanahan agreed they were each entitled to 25% of the sales and revenue from merchandise while the other two members of the band received 12.5%, accounting for the remaining 25% of sales.” According to Beattie, Jasta and/or band manager Steve Ross controlled the Hatebreed bank account and handled payouts to members.

But Beattie claims there was a serious lack of transparency. He and other members allegedly “had no insight into how the money was managed,” often receiving unexplained wire transfers without itemized breakdowns. The lawsuit alleges that Hatebreed historically operated with shared decision-making among the three main members, but Jasta began keeping financial and managerial decisions to himself over time.

In the months before his termination, Beattie says merchandise payouts were delayed and significantly lower than agreed upon. He repeatedly asked Jasta for financial records in 2023 and 2024 but claims he never received proof that his cut was the promised 25%.

The breaking point came in November 2024 when Jasta informed Beattie he was “terminated” after an alleged harassment incident involving a Live Nation security guard at the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, CT. Beattie insists the allegation was false, saying the guard likely mistook him for someone else. He believes Jasta seized on the incident to justify removing him from the band. The lawsuit accuses Jasta of fabricating a damaging narrative to sway the other members into supporting Beattie‘s ouster.

“In terminating Beattie from the band, Shanahan cited to an alleged incident that occurred on or around November 9, 2024 just prior to a Hatebreed concert at the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, Connecticut,” reads a portion of the lawsuit. “There, a Live Nation security guard at the venue falsely reported that Beattie had harassed her upon entering the theater prior to his performance. These allegations were patently untrue. Beattie never harassed any Live Nation employee and more likely, she mistook him for someone else.

“Despite Beattie‘s denying the incident, Shanahan abruptly terminated Beattie from Hatebreed, despite his thirty-year tenure in the band and the implied agreement that he would remain part of Hatebreed. Shanahan had no justified reason for Beattie‘s termination. Shanahan had structured a false narrative about Beattie — not supported by any evidence — to other band members following the Oakdale show in an effort to discredit Beattie‘s reputation and persuade the other band members to justify Shanahan‘s desire to kick Beattie out of the band.”

Beattie, a thirty-year veteran of Hatebreed, says his firing has caused “significant negative impact on his career, reputation, and health and well-being.” Adding insult to injury, he claims the band continues to sell merchandise using his likeness and still features his image prominently on their Instagram profile, website, and promotional materials.

He is now seeking substantial financial damages from both Hatebreed and Jamey Jasta, including compensatory damages and damages for emotional distress. Beattie says he has been cut off from touring revenue and has lost endorsement deals since being removed from the band.