Violent Femmes Bassist Blisters Over Royalties

The '80s American folk-punk band known widely for its song "Blister in the Sun" is now embroiled in litigation.

Violent Femmes bassist Brian Ritchie has filed a federal suit in New York against the band's lead singer Gordon Gano, accusing him of failing to pay a fair share of royalties, Reuters reports.

The Associated Press reports that Ritchie also complains that Gano trashed the band's reputation by allowing its signature hit to be used in a Wendy's commercial.

Reuters quotes from the complaint that the action "is the unfortunate culmination of an ongoing, intraband dispute between Richie and Gano over Gano's misappropriation and misadministration of Richie's interests in the jointly owned songs and assets of the band."

Reuters notes that Gano was surprised by the suit. The band had just returned from tour.