On Nov 13, at Le Bataclan, a famous venue for rock music, the audience was attacked by radical Islamic terrorists with rifles, grenades, and suicide vests. The concert was sold-out, with around 1,500 guests. 89 of the guests were killed. The band performing was Eagles of Death Metal, a blues-rock band founded by Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and Jesse Hughes. They had just released their new album, Zipper Down, and were on their European leg of the international tour. Their merchandise manager, Nick Alexander, was killed also, leaving the band shaken. This begged the question: would Eagles of Death Metal cease to exist after the attack?
On Nov 18, the band released a statement concerning the attacks. They thanked “the French Police, the FBI, the US and French State Departments, and especially all those at ground zero with us who helped each other as best they could during this unimaginable ordeal, proving once again that love overshadows evil.” On the 25th, Vice posted a video interview with all of the band members (including Homme, who wasn’t touring with the band during the attack), about what happened and what direction the band will take towards the aftermath. Hughes, clearly scarred by the attacks, said he would finish the European leg of the tour in honor of all of the victims who died at their concert. Homme then asked all musicians of any genre to cover the song “I Love You All the Time” so that any proceeds would be donated to the charity Sweet Stuff Foundation, which focused on donating to the families of the victims. Many famous bands including My Morning Jacket, Ween, Savages, Matt Cameron, Alain Johannes, and Petra Haden covered their song.
On Dec 7, Eagles of Death Metal played alongside U2 and covered Patti Smith’s “People Have the Power” before performing “I Love You All the Time” for the first time since the attack. On the 8th, the band visited Le Bataclan to pay respects to the victims of the attack. A Facebook campaign was created by Jon Morter, attempting to bring the band’s cover of “Save a Prayer” to number one on the UK Singles Chart, however, due to little media attention toward the band, it peaked at number 53.
As for the future of the band, it’s up to Homme and Hughes to decide where to go now. What’s important to remember is that even through incredibly difficult times, love overshadows evil.
