AceShowbiz - Former Skid Row's drummer Phil Varone has filed a lawsuit against the band's guitarist David Sabo and bassist James Southworth accusing the rockers of "spreading lies" and destroying his reputation. Varone, who drummed for the '80s glam rock band from 2000 to 2003, filed the suit in Los Angeles Superior Court on February 5.

He claims the Sabo and Southworth "have embarked on a crusade to spread vicious lies about Varone in an effort to destroy his professional and personal reputation" and "to prevent him from truthfully describing his career history as the drummer for Skid Row, by contending that his use of the band name is trademark infringement".

In 2009, Varone appeared on U.S. reality TV show "Sex Rehab With Dr. Drew", where he claimed to have slept with more than 3,000 women. He claims Sabo, Southworth and their lawyer contacted night clubs and talk show producers for Oprah Winfrey and Tyra Banks ahead of his scheduled appearances, and used his connection with "Sex Rehab" to successfully prevent him from being identified as a former drummer of Skid Row.

In addition, he claims the pair "had falsely informed people that Varone had slept with Sabo's wife, that Varone is a cocaine addict and that Varone is a liar," adding, "Its (Skid Row's) complete omission from a description of Varone's professional experience deprives Varone from the benefits of his experience as a professional studio and live musician and rock star who toured the world, gave countless interviews, made hundreds of appearances and amassed thousands of fans worldwide."

Varone is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. He is also seeking a declaration that his use of the Skid Row name does not violate trademark agreements, according to the Hollywood Reporter.