December 15, 2008

By By Andre Paine, London

David Buckner, former drummer with rock act Papa Roach, is suing the band over alleged unpaid royalties. Universal Music Group and Cherry Lane Music Publishing are also named in the lawsuit, filed Dec. 9 at the Superior Court of California, Sacramento.

The lawsuit documents, which have been published at tmz.com, state that Buckner was fired in Dec. 2007.

As part of the lawsuit, Buckner is also seeking that the court dissolves Papa Roach and its associated companies.

The suit alleges that the remaining band members have borrowed $210,000 from Broadway Federal Bank against assets without Buckner's prior knowledge, "to underwrite various undertakings of the group as well as the rock and roll lifestyle... while they toured as Papa Roach."

Buckner's lawsuit states that he was and remains an equal owner with the other band members of Papa Roach LLC, Viva La Cucaracha Music Inc, New Noize Records Inc, Papa Roach Touring Inc and PR Realty LLC.

Buckner also accuses the band of borrowing more than $400,000 from Universal to finance recording sessions and a music video, then diverting band royalties to a separate account to pay back the Universal advance.

There was no comment from Universal Music Group, Cherry Lane Music Publishing or Papa Roach.

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