BoDeans are suing co-founder and former band member Sam Llanas over separation agreement

The BoDeans, one of the most popular bands to come out of the Milwaukee area, is suing co-founder and former member Sam Llanas for allegedly violating their separation agreement − including falsely marketing his performances as BoDeans shows.

Llanas was compensated when he left the BoDeans more than a decade ago to pursue a solo career, according to a statement posted by the band on its Facebook page.

"Since then, the BoDeans have done our best to take the high road," said the Tuesday post.

"Yet, Sam Llanas has continued to violate the terms of this agreement, misuse the BoDeans trademark, and spread lies and misinformation about the BoDeans to turn fans away from us and attempt to derail the BoDeans’ success," it said.

The suit was filed Monday in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

Llanas, who lives in Milwaukee, couldn't be immediately reached for a response.

The lawsuit, some of which is redacted, said Llanas relies on his past BoDeans affiliation to promote his solo work.

"Plaintiffs have no objection to Sam making reference to BoDeans or playing the BoDeans songs the parties agreed he could play, as long as it is within the parameters set by the Agreement," it said.

"Unfortunately, Sam has repeatedly and deliberately breached the terms that he agreed to, and in doing so has caused lasting damage to the Plaintiffs," it said.

That breach includes making false and disparaging remarks about the group, it said.

Since at least fall 2023, Llanas has been performing with other former band members and "falsely marketing his performances as BoDeans shows," according to the lawsuit.

BoDeans hits include "Closer to Free"

The BoDeans were founded by Llanas and Kurt Neumann − who first bonded over music in study hall at Waukesha South High School in 1977.

The roots rock band started playing Milwaukee clubs in 1983. In 1985, it signed a deal with Slash Records and Warner Bros. leading to the band's debut album, "Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams."

In 1987, BoDeans was declared "Best New American Band" in a Rolling Stone readers poll, and the group opened for U2 on its blockbuster "Joshua Tree" tour. The band had a top 20 single in 1996 with "Closer to Free," made popular as the theme song for Fox TV drama "Party of Five."

Llanas left the band in 2011. Neumann has been based in the Austin, Texas, area since the '90s.

Their split hasn't been amicable.

Llanas in February 2018 claimed in a Facebook post that Neumann had one of his shows canceled. Neumann denied that, and said Llanas quit the band with no notice and began a campaign to destroy the BoDeans.

Neumann then publicly accused Llanas of molesting his stepdaughter.

A June 2018 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article reported that Tessa Neumann said Llanas repeatedly molested her and had sexual conversations with her when she was a child.

Llanas denied the allegations. He has not been charged with a crime, and Tessa Neumann has not filed a complaint with police or pursued a civil lawsuit.

Journal Sentinel staff writer Chris Ramirez contributed to this article.

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, X and Facebook.