Eagles of Death Metal Issue Statement on Paris Terrorist Attack
Eagles Of Death Metal have issued their first statement following the Paris terrorist attacks. The band, who performed at the Bataclan venue where 89 people died, pay tribute to the victims of the attack, as well as praise the law enforcement agencies and those who helped “during this unimaginable ordeal.”
Here is the full statement they posted on Facebook on Wednesday morning, November 18,
Friends Mourn Crew Members and Record Execs Lost: Nick Alexander, Nathalie Jardin, Thomas Ayad, Marie Mosser and Manu Perez
Thomas Ayad (pictured, centre), Nick Alexander (pictured, bottom right), Guillaume B. Decherf Journalist for celebrated French music and culture magazine, Les Inrockuptibles (pictured, top right), Marie Mosser (pictured, bottom left), Manu Perez (pictured, top left). Photo courtesy MusicBusinessWorldwide.com.
Nick Alexander: Friends and family mourned Nick Alexander, 36, the Eagles of Death Metal crew member slain in Friday night’s attack. Alexander was at work at the merchandise table for Eagles of Death Metal when gunmen stormed the Bataclan venue. He had held similar positions on tours with Alice in Chains, the Black Keys, Sum 41 and others.
“I spent a lot of time with Nick, but the thing about the touring merch job, it’s one of the more thankless jobs,” the Black Keys’ Patrick Carney told Rolling Stone. “He was a really organized, super-hard worker, really funny. After shows, when everyone would go wild or whatever, he would also be really reserved. He was just a sweetheart, that guy.”
Alexander was shot in front of his friend Helen Wilson, an American. The 49-year-old, who was taken to Paris’ Saint-Antoine Hospital after being shot in both legs, told The Telegraph she tried to resuscitate Alexander, even as the gunmen still roamed the concert hall. “Then he couldn’t breathe any more,” Wilson said, “and I held him in my arms and told him I loved him. He was the love of my life.”
Alexander’s friends and family have set up a GoFundMe account to help with memorial expenses. Donations have come pouring in, and the fund currently is over $86,000 as of Wednesday.
Nathalie Jardin: Stage and lighting manager Nathalie Jardin was also killed. She was the lighting designer for the venue and worked for the French punk-rock band Les Fatals Picards. Their statement said, “Last Friday, at the Bataclan, among the victims of the outburst of hate and violence, was Nathalie Jardin, our lighting designer…she had joined the Fatals Picards family on March 14, 2014, and ever since that day, she always gave us her very best. We have lost a buddy, a friend, a little sister, an adorable person whose professional conscience, integrity, joie de vivre, sweetness, strong character, and sensibility we will greatly miss.”
And, several employees of the Universal Music Group label — Thomas Ayad, Marie Mosser and Manu Perez — also lost their lives in the attacks.
Thomas Ayad: Ayad was a Mercury Records international product manager and Metallica Project Manager who was part of the team working at the Eagles of Death Metal show. Metallica posted, “We had great fortune to work with Thomas Ayad at Universal Music France for the past eight years and while Thomas had the official title of being our ‘project manager,’ we knew him as a member of our Metallica family, a fan, a friend… and a warm, helpful, supportive familiar face each time we visited France. Friday we lost Thomas, at the Bataclan theatre, in a way that none of us can begin to comprehend. Our thoughts are with Thomas’ friends, family, co-workers and all Parisians during these very difficult times.”
Marie Mosser: Pop band the Vamps paid tribute to a member of their team – French marketing manager Marie Mosser who was a Universal employee who worked in digital marketing and communication. “We want to pass on our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Thomas and Marie who were a huge part of The Vamps team in France and who tragically passed away Friday night in Paris. They will be sorely missed by us and all that knew them. Brad, James, Connor and Tristan.”
Manu Perez: Another former Universal Music Group employee was Manu Perez, who was among those who died at the concert. His girlfriend, Précilia Correia, died alongside him. Perez was a marketing executive who worked at Universal Music France for over a decade.
Metallica, AC/DC, Mötley Crüe, Guns N’ Roses, Motörhead and more React To Paris Attacks
Members of Metallica, AC/DC, Mötley Crüe, Guns N’ Roses, and artists Slash, David Coverdale and more are among the musicians who have reacted with shock and pledges of solidarity for France following the attacks in Paris on Friday night.
As previously reported, the worst of the carnage occurred at the Eagles of Death Metal concert at the Bataclan hall, where any rock fan could have been, had they been in Paris. As Bono so eloquently stated, “If you think about it, the majority of victims last night are music fans. This is the first direct hit on music that we’ve had in this so-called War on Terror or whatever it’s called.”
Live Nation to Enhance Security Measures at All Venues Globally
In the wake of the tragedy in Paris, Live Nation will be taking extra precautions and enhancing the security at all of their venues around the world. In a statement to the New York Times, Live Nation stated:
“The safety and security of our shows, fans and venues continues to be our highest priority. Due to the recent events in Paris and in an abundance of caution we have implemented heightened security procedures globally. However, because of the sensitive nature of these protocols, we cannot elaborate further on the specific details.”
“It’s only logical for major venues worldwide to have heightened security,” said Gary Bongiovanni, editor of Pollstar, a concert industry trade magazine. “But the truth is that there is only so much anyone can do to stop a wave of suicidal attackers.”
Nikki Sixx Says Guns N’ Roses Are Reuniting
Nikki Sixx has said unequivocally that the group are getting back together.
To him, it’s not even a well-kept secret. The Mötley Crüe bassist was asked during a Twitter Q&A if they should get back together.
Then again, one person who says the rumors aren’t true is Vicky Hamilton, who once managed Guns N’ Roses and Poison and has worked with Mötley Crüe. Posting on Facebook, she said that she had gotten a denial straight from Slash.
Surprise appearance by Dee Snider at Barenaked Ladies Show in Toronto
Dee Snider crashed a Barenaked Ladies concert on November 13 at Toronto’s Massey Hall, singing Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”
Snider stormed out onto the Massey Hall stage for the encore, bringing the house down in the process.
Dee is in Toronto performing in his Dee Snider’s Rock ‘N Roll Christmas Tale show at the Winter Garden Theatre from November 17 through January 3.
Check out the video:
Former Michael Schenker Group Vocalist, David VanLanding Dies in Car Accident
Former Michael Schenker Group vocalist, David VanLanding, died on November 17 in a car crash after colliding with a garbage truck in Clearwater, FL.
Michael Schenker posted on Facebook:
“Today we were told the very sad news that David Van Landing passed away in a traffic accident early yesterday morning.
We are all lost for words at such a sudden tragic event taking David away from us. We last performed together in the USA, 2012, but had planned a special show together on the Axes and Anchors cruise, Feb, 2016. He will be deeply missed. A great voice and a charming man. My condolences go out to his family and many friends.”
He will be deeply missed. A great voice and a charming man. My condolences go out to his family and many friends.”
VanLanding was the vocalist in the Michael Schenker Group in the late ’90s and again in 2011 and 2012, and he also performed with Crimson Glory. VanLanding called his 2012 trek with Michael Schenker Group “one of the most rewarding tours of my career” and had recently posted that he was going to rejoin Schenker on the Axes & Anchors Cruise in January.
Anvil To Release “Anvil Is Anvil” 2016 Album
Anvil are set to release their 15th studio album, Anvil Is Anvil, on February 26 on SPV/Steamhammer.
For the first time in their career, the band crowdfunded their album. Lips, lead vocalist and guitarist of the band, was asked by Metal Talk about the main changes in the band since the self-released Thirteen Is Thirteen documentary was released in 2013. He replied,”The main change is that, basically, we haven’t stopped working, and we were able to give up our day jobs, and this has become it. Which is all that you can ever ask for. I mean, that’s a dream — to be able to do what you love and actually make a living at it. What more could you possibly ask?”
Check out the video interview:
Anthrax Reveal “For All Kings” Album Art and Paris Tribute
Anthrax’s For All Kings album is due February 26. The band will wrap a European tour with Slayer in early December, then start off the new year touring North America with Lamb of God. See all of their dates here.
Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante said, “The cover art for this record is again done by Alex Ross, who is probably one of the greatest artists living. And he did our previous covers.”
Watch the entire video as Anthrax shows a bit of their new single “Evil Twin” as well as a tribute to Paris at the end. Although “Evil Twin” was recorded prior to the Paris terrorist attacks, the band felt the lyrics leant themselves this week’s past events.
Check out the interview in the video here.
Jimi Hendrix Branded Purple Haze Liqueur To Launch This Month
Just in time for the birthday of legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix on November 27, Tiger Paw Beverages Inc. and Leon Hendrix, brother of Jimi Hendrix, will officially launch Purple Haze Liqueur.
“I wanted to produce a high quality product that consumers would love while honoring my brother Jimi, and all of his amazing work,” said Leon. “He would drink Purple Haze Liqueur if he could be here with us today.”
