Marilyn Manson Countersues Ex-Bandmate

As per papers filed on Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Marilyn Manson is countersuing his former keyboardist Stephen Bier for breach of contract. He claims his ex-bandmate did not carry out obligations to take part in master recordings, concerts and the selling of band merchandise.

In August, Bier (aka Madonna Wayne Gacy) filed his own breach of contract suit against the shock rocker, claiming he was shortchanged in salary and medical support while Manson squandered the group's earnings on his luxurious lifestyle and "sick and disturbing purchases of Nazi memorabilia and taxidermy." Bier's suit seeks more than $20 million.

Manson's countersuit claims he and Bier's business partnership dissolved in 1996, when the singer rose as the leader of the band. He also accuses Bier of showing up late for band recordings, performances and promotional appearances, and releasing confidential band information without Manson's consent.

Although Bier has been paid for CD royalties, live performances and band merch, according to Manson's suit, he has "failed to render services to the best of his ability and in a practical and cooperative manner."

Manson is seeking unspecified general and special damages and a court order preventing Bier from releasing more confidential band information.