In their first interview since the horrific attacks in Paris that occurred earlier this month, the rock group Eagles of Death Metal sat down with Vice to discuss the chaos that ensued during the shootings at their concert at Le Bataclan in Paris. 89 people died at the sold-out show, including the band’s merchandise manager, Nick Alexander.
Vocalist Jesse Hughes, guitarist Eden Galindo, bassist Matt McJukins, and sound engineer Shawn London were present for the interview, while drummer Julian Dorio participated through Skype. Co-founder of the band Josh Homme, who was not at the show, also joined the interview.
“At first I thought it was the PA cracking up,” Galindo said about when he first heard the gunshots. “I realized real quick that it wasn’t, then I recognized what it was. At that time, Jesse ran towards me and we went in the corner of the stage. We weren’t sure if they were targeting us or what was going on.”
Some of the band members were able to escape through a back door. McJukins hid in a room with fans.
“Everybody started going up into this room … to just escape the gunfire, naturally, instinctively,” he stated. “From my perspective I see the shooting, I see the pops go off, the lights flashing … and I have to make the decision: Do I really want to run across the stage or do I want to go in this room, and hope for the best.”
Some of the fans in the room were wounded. There was also a small flood forming in the room, which caused McJukins to worry that the terrorists would find them. A bottle of champagne, which was in the room for an after-show party, was their only weapon.
Hughes went to search for his girlfriend, Tuesday Cross, and during his search, found one of the shooters. “He turned on me, brought his gun down, and the barrel hit the doorframe,” Hughes said. After finding Cross, they were able to escape the venue through a side door.
London, who was at the back of the venue, also described the moment he heard the gunshots. “These kids were having a blast, they were having a great time. The smiling, the dancing, the singing along with each song. And then, out of nowhere, I heard what I thought were these firecrackers directly behind me.”
A gunman shot at London, but missed. London hid below the soundboard but soon managed to escape with a few others through the front doors while the gunman was reloading bullets.
Homme and Hughes stated in the emotional interview that the band has no intention to stop performing, and they will continue their tour. They also wish to return to Paris.
“I want to be the first band to play in the Bataclan when it opens back up,” Hughes stated. “Because I was there when it went silent for a minute. Our friends went there to see rock and roll and died. I want to go back there and live.”
“We represent the fans that did not make it, the people that did not make it – whose stories may never get told,” Homme added.
“But hearing from people, hearing their stories – we don’t want that to stop,” McJukins said. “Anybody who wants to reach out to us, they are welcome anytime. And playing every night and seeing those smiling faces out in the crowd, that’s what keeps us going. That’s what makes us play a show. That’s why we play. No way we’re not going to keep doing that again.”
Fans encouraged other to purchase the group’s cover of Duran Duran’s “Say A Prayer” after the attacks. Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran has donated his publishing and royalties of the song to the victims of the attacks. Feeling inspired by this gesture, Eagles of Death Metal revealed that if a musician from any genre wishes to cover their song”I Love You All the Time,” they would donate their proceeds to the victims. They also hope that Spotify and iTunes would consider donating their proceeds as well.
Watch the full 26 minute interview with the band below:
