HOLLYWOOD, April 19, 2002 -- One of the founding members of Weezer filed a federal lawsuit today against his former band mates and others, alleging among other things that he is owed money for songs he co-wrote.
A representative for the band could not be located immediately.
Matthew Sharp formed Weezer in 1992 with Jason Cropper and defendants Rivers Cuomo and Patrick Wilson, according to the suit. Cropper left the band before Weezer got its first deal with Geffen Records Inc. in 1993.
Sharp claims his contributions to the band in its earliest stages were more than musical. He contends he handled most of the business affairs, including hiring attorneys and accountants, helping to find a record deal and searching for a director for the band's music video.
Weezer's first album, Weezer, a.k.a. The Blue Album, was released in 1994, according to the suit. The band's next album was Pinkerton.
Sharp stopped performing with Weezer in February 1998 after differences arose among the members, according to the suit. But Cuomo allegedly still asked Sharp to listen to compositions being considered for the band's next album.
Sharp and Cuomo allegedly co-produced "American Girls" for the soundtrack to the Disney movie Meet the Deedles. The band allegedly also borrowed Sharp's equipment.
Sharp wants to be credited for co-writing a slew of songs, seeks royalties he claims he is owed and wants his partnership with the band settled, among other relief.