Eagles Of Death Metal Banned From Two French Music Festivals After Frontman’s Comments About Muslims
The Eagles of Death Metal were on stage at Paris’ Bataclan Theater when a coordinated series of terrorist attacks inside and outside the theater killed 130 people and injured hundreds more. Now the band is finding itself less-than-welcome in France after the lead singer’s recent remarks on Muslims, Islam, and security inside the historic theater the night of the attacks.
As The Daily Caller reports, on November 13, 2015, ISIS-affiliated terrorists carried out a coordinated series of attacks — suicide bombings and randomly opening fire — in various locations throughout the Paris. The most carnage was wrought at the historic Bataclan Theater, the 150-year-old Paris landmark that had gained status as a “legendary” venue for rock & roll performances. Inside the theater, 89 people were killed and over 200 were injured when several gunmen stormed the theater and opened fire.
Paris’ Le Bataclan theater will reopen later this year following November terrorist attack: https://t.co/9SprKPohB1 pic.twitter.com/Uuydi22YGG
— Diffuser (@DiffuserFM) February 12, 2016
On stage that night were the Eagles of Death Metal, a California-based indie rock band fronted by Jesse Hughes. Although the band’s merchandising director was killed in the attack, the rest of the band and its crew were able to make it out of the building safely through a rear exit.
Now, however, the band is finding itself shut out of an increasing number of performance venues in France following remarks Hughes has made since that night.
Speaking last week to Taki magazine — described by Daily Caller writer Andrew Kirell as an “alt-right” publication — Hughes made some comments that have not sat well with various concert venues in France.
Speaking of security that night, Hughes claims that the terrorists were in the venue “early,” meaning that security was complacent in the attacks.
“I remember them staring at my buddy. I just chalked it up to Arab envy. You know what I mean? When a Muslim sees a cocky American dude with tattoos, he stares at him. I realized later it was [ringleader Salah] Abdeslam and he was staring at my buddy because they thought he was a threat.”
Hughes also said that at least one security guard, whom he claims was in on the attack, was poised to warn his girlfriend about the attack.
“The only time he seemed remotely interested in us was when he said to my girlfriend, ‘Do you speak French?’ and ‘Where are you from?’… I honestly think he was trying to determine if she was Arab or not. She’s Mexican and she could easily pass for Lebanese and I think he was going to warn her if she was Muslim.
He then went on to suggest that Muslims were celebrating the attack, and that Paris’ Muslim community knew something was up and did nothing to stop it.
“A day after, at the stadium, Muslims booed the moment of silence and we barely heard about it in the press. I saw Muslims celebrating in the street during the attack. I saw it with my own eyes. In real time! How did they know what was going on? There must have been coordination.”
Those statements, and others, have made the Eagles of Death Metal unwelcome throughout France. Rock en Seine and Le Festival Cabaret Vert, both French music festivals, have cancelled the band from their lineups.
Cabaret Vert 2014, 94000 spectateurs et complet sur 4 jours : le festival de tous les records http://t.co/WxbYciQLIu pic.twitter.com/NZWayXoUTW
— France3-ChampArdenne (@France3CA) August 25, 2014
In statements on each event’s website, both events noted that they are in “total disagreement” with Hughes’ statements.
Hughes, for his part, has apologized for his remarks, saying they came from a “place of trauma” because he is still having nightmares and panic attacks following the events of that night.
“I haven’t been myself since November 13.”
Do you believe the Eagles of Death Metal deserve to be banned from France because of their remarks on Islam and terrorism?
[Photo by Victor Moriyama/Getty Images]
