Following the attacks in Paris on Friday, Eagles of Death Metal have released an official statement promoting love, compassion and peace.
The band were performing at the capital city’s Bataclan venue when the attacks started, with 129 people killed in total across six locations in Paris.
Nick Alexander, the band’s merchandise manager was killed in the attack, as were representatives from Universal Music Group, the band’s parent record label.
Shortly after the attack on the Bataclan the band issued a short statement on social media stating they were “trying to determine the safety and whereabouts of all our band and crew.”
The full statement, released yesterday [18th November 2015], is the first official word from the band since Friday. In it, they confirm that they will not be playing the remainder of their 32 city tour, which was originally scheduled to run into December.
The statement in full:
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.
There is a campaign to push EODM’s cover of ‘Save A Prayer’ by Duran Duran to number 1 on the UK charts. Currently sitting at number 44 in the mid-weeks, Duran Duran have announced that they will donate any proceeds to charity.