Eagles of Death Metal Issues Official Statement Following Paris Tragedy

Eagles of Death Metal, the band playing at the Bataclan during the Paris terror attacks last week, issued their first official statement Wednesday via Facebook, the Guardian reports.

In the statement, the band said that “while the band is now home safe, we are horrified and still trying to come to terms with what happened in France.”

One hundred and twenty-nine were killed and 352 injured when three groups of armed men went on a killing spree across six different locations in Paris last week. Eighty-nine people were killed at the Bataclan. EODM were playing on stage at the time when three men entered the lobby and started to open fire at those who were in attendance at the concert.

The band members were all safe and unharmed after the Paris attacks. Jesse Hughes, the band’s co-founder, and other band members exited backstage when the killing started. Others affiliated with Eagles of Death Metal weren’t so lucky, however. The group’s merchandise manager, Nick Alexander, 36, and three executives from the band’s record label, Universal Music Group, were killed during the shootings. Josh Homme, who co-founded the band with Jesse, was not in Paris at the time of the tragic incident.

Eagles of Death Metal were in the middle of their 32-city European tour to promote their fourth studio album, Zipper Down, when the shootings occurred. The band’s final stop was scheduled for December in Portugal. In their official statement following the Paris attacks, the band announced that they’ll be putting future concerts “on hold until further notice.”

Eagles of Death Metal’s official statement reads as follows:

While the band is now home safe, we are horrified and still trying to come to terms with what happened in France. Our thoughts and hearts are first and foremost with our brother Nick Alexander, our record company comrades Thomas Ayad, Marie Mosser, and Manu Perez, and all the friends and fans whose lives were taken in Paris, as well as their friends, families, and loved ones.

Although bonded in grief with the victims, the fans, the families, the citizens of Paris, and all those affected by terrorism, we are proud to stand together, with our new family, now united by a common goal of love and compassion.

We would like to thank the French police, the FBI, the U.S. 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.

All EODM shows are on hold until further notice.

Vive la musique, vive la liberté, vive la France, and vive EODM.

https://www.facebook.com/eaglesofdeathmetal/photos/a.450122771013.246874.89961546013/10153624344841014/?type=3

Hours after the terrible shootings, Eagles of Death Metal posted a brief statement on their official Facebook account.

We are still currently trying to determine the safety and whereabouts of all our band and crew. Our thoughts are with all of the people involved in this tragic situation.

Eagles of Death Metal were founded in the late 90’s in Palm Desert, California by Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme. With a roster that rotates members on a regular basis, Jesse and Josh are the only permanent members. Notable names that joined Eagles of Death Metal in the past include Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters and Jack Black.

Mirror recently reported Tuesday that Eagles of Death Metal fans launched a campaign to push the band’s single to the top of the UK charts following the attacks in Paris. The single in question is the band’s cover version of Duran Duran’s “Save a Prayer.” The Facebook group, which now has over 3,000 members, posted a statement that reads:

“We thought it would be a nice gesture to put their brilliant version of ‘Save A Prayer’ to the UK No.1 spot as a show of support to the band and all of those affected.”

https://www.facebook.com/eodmforno1/posts/997381573616316

Eagles of Death Metal fans are giving their support after horrific events on Fridayhttps://t.co/7ineGV7dkP pic.twitter.com/zNmeIfKnpc

— Mirror Celeb (@MirrorCeleb) November 16, 2015

American rock band Eagles of Death Metal @EODMofficial enters U.K. singles chart https://t.co/iRWjNULJ69 pic.twitter.com/KMJxjqO1Rv

— Newsweek (@Newsweek) November 17, 2015

The single didn’t reach the top of the UK singles chart but jumped 52 places at 44 on November 17, according to the Official Charts Company.

Duran Duran have confirmed that proceeds earned from Eagle of Death Metal’s cover version will be donated to charity.

[Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]