U.S. Band Member Among At Least 100 Dead at Paris Concert Hall

U.S. Band Member Among At Least 100 Dead at Paris Concert Hall

By Geoffrey Eisler and Gabriella Iannetta

[IMG]http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/652*367/paris-NC-151113-paris-attacks-reuters-25.jpg[/IMG]
People react as they gather to watch the scene near the Bataclan concert hall following fatal shootings in Paris, France, November 13, 2015.

A hundred people, including one member of a California rock band, were killed after a Paris venue became the scene of a deadly hostage situation, NBC News reported.
The Eagles of Death Metal were supposed to perform at the Bataclan, a theater located in eastern Paris near the trendy Oberkampf area. People inside were taken hostage.

As the band performed on stage for a sold out nightclub, gunmen came in firing automatic weapons at fans before holding hundreds hostage for hours, according to NBC News. The venue holds about 1,500 people.

Two members of the band's crew told an NBC News reporter that one of the band members have died in the attack. It is unclear which band member was killed.

It was unclear how many were inside but French police say at least 100 were killed. The death toll is in addition to the 35 people who died in shootings and explosions in multiple sites in the city Friday night.

"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," management for Eagles of Death Metal posted on the band's official Facebook page at 8:00 pm EST on Friday before finding out a band member had died.

The band, formed in 1998 in Palm Desert, California, was celebrating the October release of "Zipper Metal" with an European tour. It's their first album in seven years.

Josh Homme — the frontman and founder of Queens of the Stone Age — formed Eagles of Death Metal with his best friend, Jesse Hughes. Though their name is Eagles of Death Metal, the band's sound is a mix of blues rock and garage rock.

Their website lists about two dozen dates planned for the year, including stops in Munich, Stockholm, Rome and Barcelona. Reports indicate Homme not with the band in Paris.

In an interview in June with The Associated Press, the band spoke excitedly about releasing new music and heading on tour.

"You know, I'm telling you the truth, but this is the coolest job in the world," Hughes said, sitting next to Homme. "Right now I'm sitting in an interview with my best friend in London at Koko's Ballroom talking about myself. It doesn't really get much better than this!"

Hours before the show, the band's bassist, Matt McJunkins tweeted a photo of the stage.

Emily Hall Dorio, the wife of drummer Julian Dorio, told NBC News that when she briefly spoke to her husband and he had said all the members of the band were safe at the police station. She thinks there are other crew members still unaccounted for but those on stage managed to get away.

"I'm grateful and heartbroken at the same time," Dorio told NBC News. "I'm grateful he's alive."Published 5 hours ago

Source:http://www.nbcbayarea.com/entertainm...#ixzz3rQv3uwc7
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Paris attacks: Eagles of Death Metal safe after fans killed at gig

• 14 November 2015
• From the sectionEurope

http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/660/c...5_eodm4get.jpgImage copyright Getty Images Image caption Eagles of Death Metal, pictured last month, were on a European tour

Paris attacks

US rock band Eagles of Death Metal were not injured in the attack on their Paris concert, it has been confirmed.

At least 80 of those at the concert were killed when several gunmen stormed the Bataclan concert venue.

The band members were unhurt but there have been unconfirmed reports that a crew member was among those killed.

On Friday, the group issued a short Facebook statement saying: "Our thoughts are with all of the people involved in this tragic situation."

Eagles of Death Metal were playing in the French capital as part of a European tour.

The raucous rock 'n' roll band were formed by Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme and his childhood friend Jesse Hughes. Homme was not on the tour.

The band are expected to release a further statement later on Saturday.

Their support act Red Lemons posted a message saying: "Guys... I don't know what to say. We're more than lucky."

They added: "Thinking about those who passed away and who were having such a love (sic) time & happiness with all of us just a minute before."

http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cps...9_eodm2get.jpgImage copyright Getty Images Image caption Frontman Jesse Hughes is also an ordained minister

Eagles of Death Metal released their first full LP in 2004 and have been described as "a mashup of punk, rockabilly and Rolling Stones-style boogie".

The group's latest album Zipper Down, which came out last month, reached number 59 in the US Billboard chart and number 32 in the UK. Their songs have been used in advertisements for the likes of Nike, Acura and Microsoft.

Jesse Hughes is a hard-living frontman who is also an ordained minister and a former journalist and speechwriter for the Republican Party.

Meanwhile, U2 have cancelled their concert in Paris on Saturday.

In a statement, the Irish band said: "We watched in disbelief and shock at the unfolding events in Paris and our hearts go out to all the victims and their families across the city tonight.

"We are devastated at the loss of life at the Eagles of Death Metal concert and our thoughts and prayers are with the band and their fans. And we hope and pray that all of our fans in Paris are safe."

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34819608