Rockers CHEAP TRICK are facing legal action from their drummer and former manager over allegations of breach of contract.

Percussionist Brad Carlson, aka Bun E. Carlos, stopped touring with the Surrender hitmakers in 2010, but he and his bandmates signed an agreement that made him a full member of the group, who would continue to have a say in the band's future business endeavours.

However, Carlson, who made a handful of appearances onstage with his old pals in 2011, claims bandmates Robin Zander, guitarist Rick Nielsen and bassist Tom Petersson have failed to honour the deal, and have left him out of recording sessions for a new album and have signed new contracts for the group without his consent.

He also alleges he was not consulted over the trio's decision to fire David Frey as their manager in June, 2012, therefore rendering the termination "null and void".

In the joint lawsuit, which was recently filed in an Illinois court, Frey accuses Zander, Nielsen and Petersson of failing to fully compensate him for almost $363,000 (£240,000)'s worth in expenses.

Frey states he agreed to charge the amount to his personal credit card following "a horrific accident in July, 2011", when the stars were almost killed in a stage collapse at the Ottawa Bluesfest in Ontario, Canada.

The defendants promised to hand back the amount in installments, but those payments are said to have stopped after his employment was terminated and a cheque they sent to cover the remaining amount of $71,790 (£47,860) bounced due to insufficient funds.

Carlson and Frey are seeking damages for a slew of charges, including breach of contract, trademark infringement and false advertising. The other Cheap Trick members have yet to respond to the lawsuit.