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Eagles of Death Metal

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Eagles of Death Metal is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, formed in 1998. Founded by Jesse Hughes (vocals, guitar) and Josh Homme (drums), the band also includes a wide range of other musicians who perform both on the band's studio albums and at live shows. Hughes and Homme are the only permanent members of the band, with Homme rarely performing at live shows due to commitment to his other band, Queens of the Stone Age. The band's current touring lineup includes Hughes alongside Leah Bluestein (drums), Scott Shiflett (guitar), Jennie Vee (bass) and Rex Roulette (guitar).

Eagles of Death Metal
Eagles of Death Metal playing the Commodore Ballroom in 2009
Eagles of Death Metal playing the Commodore Ballroom in 2009
Background information
OriginPalm Desert, California, U.S.
Genres
DiscographyEagles of Death Metal discography
Years active1998–present
Labels
Spinoff of
Members
Past membersSee past contributors section
Websiteeaglesofdeathmetal.com

Despite their name, Eagles of Death Metal are not a death metal band, and the name is intended to be humorous.[1] In a 2003 interview, Homme described the sound of the band as a combination of "bluegrass slide guitar mixed with stripper drum beats and Canned Heat vocals." Hughes is known for his enthusiastic interaction with audiences at live performances.[2][3]

Name origin

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The band has variously offered conflicting explanations as to the origin of their band name, with all of the offered origin stories of the band name involving the concept of a death metal genre equivalent or version of the band Eagles or a humorous mixture of death metal with the band Eagles. In a video interview[4] taken at an event sponsored Converse Music[5] at the Soho Revue Bar in London, Hughes states that he and Homme were in a bar watching a man dance to the song "Wind of Change" by the Scorpions. When asked what he was doing, the man yelled, "This is death metal, dude!", to which Homme replied, "No, it's not. This is like the Eagles of death metal." An alternative story concerning the origin of the band name claims that the name originated during an exchange in which a friend of Homme was attempting to convert Hughes to the death metal genre. When the friend played a song by the Polish band Vader and made a claim that the song was within the death metal genre, Homme then referred to Vader as "the Eagles of death metal". After hearing this phrase, Hughes wondered what a cross between the Eagles and a death metal band would sound like.[6]

History

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Early years (1998–2003)

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Eagles of Death Metal formed in Palm Desert, California, in 1998 and first appeared on Josh Homme's The Desert Sessions Volumes 3 & 4, released that year. Over the next few years, Homme became distracted from the band due to the success of Queens of the Stone Age. However, in an October 2008 interview, he reaffirmed his commitment to the band saying, "This isn't a side project for me. I'm in two bands. I have musical schizophrenia, and this is one of those personalities. In brief they are amazing."[7]

Peace, Love, Death Metal (2004–2005)

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The band released their debut album, Peace, Love, Death Metal, in March 2004. Several songs from the album were used in American television commercials including those for Ask.com, Comcast, Payless ShoeSource, Nissan Motors, Budweiser, Pontiac Motors and Wendy's, as well as in the trailer for the film Thank You for Smoking and for a promotional disc for the film Grindhouse, which was available at Hot Topic stores prior to the film's release. The first song on the album, "I Only Want You", was also used on the soundtrack for the PS2 game Gran Turismo 4, as well as by Microsoft in advertising for the launch of Windows 8. Globe Shoes, a manufacturer of skateboard shoes, has featured the song in the montage section of episode 1 in their new series of skate films entitled, United By Fate. "Miss Alissa" was featured on Nike's FIFA World Cup 2014 campaign video. The video is entitled "Winner Stays" and featured footballers Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrea Pirlo, Neymar, Tim Howard and many others.

Death by Sexy (2006–2007)

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Eagles of Death Metal returned on April 11, 2006, with their second effort, Death by Sexy. During the first half of 2006, they toured in support of The Strokes and headlined their own U.S. tour with openers The Giraffes, followed by dates opening for Peaches as well as performing with Joan Jett. In the fall of 2006, the band had an opening support slot with Guns N' Roses, but this lasted for only one show. Axl Rose referred to the band as "Pigeons of Shit Metal" from the stage that night, which resulted in Eagles of Death Metal using the phrase on a T-shirt.[8]

The track "Chase the Devil" from the album was included in the soundtrack for Tony Hawk's Project 8. Not only that, the track "Don't Speak (I Came to Make a Bang!)" was part of the soundtrack for Electronic Arts' Need for Speed: Carbon. "Cherry Cola" was used in a Microsoft Zune commercial, and "Don't Speak" was featured in Epic Movie, where the band is seen playing it live; in addition, the song was used in a Guy Ritchie-directed Nike ad ahead of UEFA Euro 2008. The song "I Want You So Hard" was also featured on the HBO series True Blood during the credit sequence of episode 8 in season 1. The track "I Got A Feeling (Just Nineteen)" was featured in the TV show Criminal Minds in the season 2 episode "Sex, Birth, Death". It plays during the part of the episode when the BAU visit Nathan Harris (played by Anton Yelchin) at his home.[9]

Heart On (2008–2009)

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On October 21, 2008, ahead of their third album release, the Eagles of Death Metal performed a live concert at the Hollywood & Highland Virgin Megastore in Los Angeles for the launch of the video game Midnight Club: Los Angeles. The first single from the third album, "Wannabe in L.A.", is also in the game.[10] The song is also featured in the music rhythm game Guitar Hero 5 and the racing game DiRT 2. "I'm Your Torpedo" and "High Voltage" were also featured in the 2009 Austin set film, Whip It. Furthermore, "Now I'm A Fool" was used in the 2012 film Silver Linings Playbook. The track "High Voltage" from Heart On was featured in an online campaign for Head & Shoulders in 2010.

Their third album, titled Heart On, was released on October 28, 2008 (November 4, 2008 in Canada), and was accompanied by a North American tour. On February 4, 2009, Eagles of Death Metal performed on a live webcast for Fuel.tv as part of their Heart On tour and performed as a warm up act on tour with Arctic Monkeys.

In 2010, touring bassist Brian O'Connor was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy. Josh Homme, along with Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones, announced a concert at the Brixton Academy in London to raise money for O'Connor's treatment. Abby Travis filled in on the bass while O'Connor recovered.[11]

In September 2011, Hughes released his debut solo album, Honkey Kong, under the sobriquet Boots Electric.

Zipper Down (2013–2015)

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On October 19, 2013, Hughes posted a video of studio footage on his Instagram account, specifying that a new Eagles of Death Metal album due next year was in the works.[12] Homme announced that the band would play two headliner shows in the UK,[when?] one at the KOKO in London and one at the infamous Garage in Glasgow. Homme later confirmed that the band is playing the second stage at Download.[13] In June 2015, the band announced that their next album, Zipper Down, would be released on October 2. The first single from the album, titled "Complexity", was made available for streaming on Pitchfork Media's website.[14][15][16]

Bataclan attack (2015)

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Main article: November 2015 Paris attacks

"I cannot wait to get back to Paris. I cannot wait to play. I want to be the first band that plays the Bataclan when it opens back up because I was there when it went silent for a minute. Our friends went there to see rock 'n' roll and died. I want to go back there and live."

— Hughes in an interview with Shane Smith, Vice[17]

On November 13, 2015, Eagles of Death Metal were playing a sold-out concert to about 1,500 guests at the Bataclan theatre in Paris. The band had started performing the song "Kiss the Devil" when Islamist terrorists killed about 90 fans.[18][19] According to reports, the terrorists shot indiscriminately into the crowd, including those seeking cover by lying on the floor, and then detonated explosive vests when the theatre was stormed by special police units. Hughes escaped via the backstage,[20] along with guitarist Eden Galindo and drummer Julian Dorio, while bassist Matt McJunkins, who was on the other side of the stage, ran backstage and sought shelter in a dressing room with some fans. Guitarist Dave Catching retreated to a small bathroom and was later evacuated along with McJunkins by French police.[21] Among those killed in the attack was 36 year old Nick Alexander, who worked at the band's merchandise table during the group's European tour.[22]

Following the attack, a Facebook campaign was created by Jon Morter with the intention of getting the band's cover of the Duran Duran song "Save a Prayer" to number one on the UK Singles Chart.[23][24][25] The campaign was promoted by Duran Duran and headed up by Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon, who promised to donate their proceeds from the sale to charity.[26] The song ultimately peaked at number 53 for the chart dated the week after the attack.[27]

 
Eagles of Death Metal returned to Paris, appearing on-stage during a U2 concert on December 7, 2015.

Eagles of Death Metal issued a statement about the attacks on November 18, thanking "the French police, the F.B.I., 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."[28] On November 25, Vice posted an interview with the band members, including Homme, about the attacks and their aftermath. During the interview, a shaken Hughes told Vice founder Shane Smith that the band plans to finish their European tour in memory of those who died at their concert.[17] Homme encouraged musicians of any genre to cover the band's song "I Love You All the Time", and all of the subsequent proceeds due to the band would be donated to his charity Sweet Stuff Foundation, which would then be donated to the victims of the attack.[17]

The song was subsequently covered by several artists, including Florence and the Machine,[29] My Morning Jacket,[29] and Kings of Leon.[29]

On December 7, the band – without Homme – appeared on stage at a U2 concert at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris in their first concert[30] appearance since the attack. The bands performed a cover of Patti Smith's "People Have the Power" together before Eagles of Death Metal performed "I Love You All the Time".[31] In a statement following the performance, Hughes thanked U2 and said that the band would return to Paris in February 2016.[32] The following day, the band revisited the Bataclan to pay their respects to the victims of the attack.

Aftermath of the attack and the Nos Amis Tour (2016–2018)

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Eagles of Death Metal live at Rock am Ring 2019

In December 2015, the band announced the resumption of their European tour, which they had renamed the "Nos Amis Tour" ("Our Friends Tour").[33] The tour included a date at the Olympia in Paris on February 16. Ticket holders from the November show at the Bataclan were able to attend the Olympia concert for free.[33]

In an interview with Fox Business Channel in March 2016, Hughes claimed that some members of the Bataclan security staff were complicit in the attack.[34] Hughes subsequently apologized for his comments following condemnation from French officials and the owners of the Bataclan.[34] The band were dropped from the lineup of the Rock en Seine festival for these and other comments.[35] At the reopening of the Bataclan in November 2016, Hughes and another band member were reportedly denied entry by staff due to Hughes' comments.[36] However, according to the band's manager, Hughes never attempted to enter the club, though he was in Paris at the time of the concert.[37]

A documentary directed by Colin Hanks, son of Tom Hanks, about the band and the aftermath of the Bataclan attack, entitled Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis (Our Friends), premiered in February 2017 on HBO.[38] The band was announced as a supporting act alongside Russian Circles on Mastodon's Spring 2017 tour in the United States. During the first show of the tour on April 14 in Missoula, Montana, Hughes introduced Jennie Vee as the new bassist for Eagles of Death Metal. On March 28, 2017 Jay Chandrasekhar announced on Vimeo that Eagles of Death Metal was scoring the movie Super Troopers 2.

On April 26, 2017, the Spanish police announced that one of the nine men arrested the previous day in connection with the March 2016 terrorist attacks in Brussels was spotted and questioned outside the band's concert venue in Barcelona on September 10, 2016. According to the police source, he was subsequently put under surveillance, as were his entourage, which eventually led to the arrest of the nine men on April 25, 2017, in and around Barcelona.[39]

On December 31, 2018, the band played a New Year's Eve Show at The Catalyst, a nightclub in Santa Cruz, California. During the set the band played "Kiss the Devil" for the first time in three years. Singer Jesse Hughes announced to the crowd before playing the song that the band "was taking back a song taken from them", and after singing the song expressed his appreciation to the crowd for being a part of reclaiming his song.

Style and influences

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Eagles of Death Metal is not a death metal band; the name is meant to be humorous.[1] The band has been described as having a "Rolling Stones-meets-garage rock aesthetic".[40] Their sound has been noted for containing elements of bluegrass[41][42] and funk,[43][44] and has also been described as "a mash-up of punk, rockabilly and Rolling Stones-style boogie".[45] NPR classified them as a hard rock band.[46] Pitchfork described the band as a "cartoonish, carnal blues-rock project"[47] and said that "the Eagles of Death Metal crank up a cock-rock sound that's free of any danger or seriousness."[48] CNN called them an alternative rock band.[49] Rolling Stone called the band "boogie-rock revivalists".[50] Spin described them as a "soaring desert rock duo".[51] The Reading Eagle called them a rockabilly band,[52] while Metal Injection categorized the band's music as psychobilly,[53] and NME described the band's music as "rockabilly-metal".[54]

Members

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Official members

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  • Jesse Hughes a.k.a. The Devil/Boots Electric – lead vocals, guitar, bass, various other instruments (1998–present)
  • Josh Homme a.k.a. Carlo Von Sexron/DP Pete/Baby Duck/Zombie Zebra – drums, bass, backing vocals, guitar, various other instruments (1998–present)

Current live members

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Past members and contributors

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Discography

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Main article: Eagles of Death Metal discography

Studio albums

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References

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  1. ^ a b Saunders, Tristram Fane (November 16, 2015). "Who are Eagles of Death Metal?". The Telegraph. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  2. ^ "Eagles of Death Metal: Death By Sexy". Amoeba Music.
  3. ^ "Eagles of Death Metal". Manchester Academy. Archived from the original on January 25, 2007.
  4. ^ "Eagles Of Death Metal Interview". YouTube. February 7, 1977. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  5. ^ "//// welcome". Converse Music. May 26, 2006. Archived from the original on May 26, 2006. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  6. ^ "Putting some fun in death metal – Stage – Night & Day". The Prague Post. March 12, 2009. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  7. ^ "Eagles of Death Metal Part 1: Joshua Homme". SuicideGirls.com. October 30, 2008. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
  8. ^ "Guns N' Roses Manager: Eagles Of Death Metal Could Not Handle Audience Response". Blabbermouth.net. December 1, 2006. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  9. ^ "Criminal Minds (TV Series) Sex, Birth, Death (2006) Soundtracks". IMDb. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  10. ^ "Live Launch Event Featuring Eagles Of Death Metal At The Virgin Megastore In Los Angeles". Rockstar Games.
  11. ^ "detroiter Motorcityblog: Eagles of Death Metal @ Small's". motorcityblog.blogspot.com. July 28, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  12. ^ "Video by fatherbadass". Instagram.com. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  13. ^ "Eagles of Death Metal set to play headline show at KOKO". Gigwise. March 30, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  14. ^ "Josh Homme and Jesse Hughes Detail Eagles of Death Metal LP ZIPPER DOWN, Share Bonkers Cover". Pitchfork. June 17, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  15. ^ "Eagles of Death Metal Announce First Album in Seven Years". Rolling Stone. June 16, 2015. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  16. ^ "Eagles Of Death Metal at Tel Aviv – I Only Want You", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R5sQSrYIgA
  17. ^ a b c "Eagles of Death Metal Discuss Paris Terror Attacks". Vice. November 25, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  18. ^ Harding, Luke; Willsher, Kim (November 14, 2015). "From dinner in Paris to a 'war on happiness' in 15 minutes". The Observer. The group had been on about an hour and they'd just said "We love you Paris" and started singing a song, Kiss the Devil, with the words 'I met the Devil and this is his song' when we heard very clearly some explosions.
  19. ^ "Attaques à Paris: la situation au lendemain des fusillades meurtrières qui ont fait au moins 129 morts". Le Huffington Post. November 14, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  20. ^ "Singer for Eagles of Death Metal escapes Paris attack". ABC News. November 13, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  21. ^ "Paris attacks: Eagles of Death Metal safe after fans killed at gig". BBC News. November 14, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  22. ^ "Eagles of Death Metal Merch Manager Nick Alexander Killed in Paris Attack". Rolling Stone. November 14, 2015. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  23. ^ "Eagles of Death Metal Fans Try to Get the Band to No. 1 in the U.K." Time. November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  24. ^ "Social media pushing to get Eagles of Death Metal to No. 1". Time. November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  25. ^ "Campaign launched to get Eagles of Death Metal to top of UK singles chart". The Guardian. November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  26. ^ "Duran Duran Will Donate All Proceeds From Eagles of Death Metal's 'Save A Prayer' Cover". Billboard. November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  27. ^ "UK Singles Chart, week of 20 November 2015". Official Charts Company. November 20, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  28. ^ Sisario, Ben (November 18, 2015). "Eagles of Death Metal Make First Statement on Paris Attacks". The New York Times. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  29. ^ a b c "Hear A Dozen Eagles Of Death Metal Covers For Play It Forward Charity Campaign". Stereogum. December 18, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  30. ^ Samuel, Henry (December 8, 2015). "Eagles of Death Metal revisit Bataclan theatre". The Daily Telegraph. Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 9, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  31. ^ "Eagles of Death Metal on Paris stage with U2". BBC News. December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  32. ^ "Eagles of Death Metal Return to the Stage, Joining U2 for Two Songs in Paris". Pitchfork. December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  33. ^ a b Reed, Ryan (December 16, 2015). "Eagles of Death Metal Reschedule European Tour, Paris Show". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  34. ^ a b Strauss, Matthew (March 12, 2016). "Eagles of Death Metal's Jesse Hughes Apologizes for "Absurd Accusations" Against Le Bataclan". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  35. ^ Gordon, Jeremy (May 20, 2016). "Eagles of Death Metal Dropped From Festivals Over Terrorism Comments". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  36. ^ Yoo, Noah (November 12, 2016). "Eagles of Death Metal's Jesse Hughes Denied Entry to Sting's Bataclan Show | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
  37. ^ "Eagles of Death Metal Member Wasn't Denied Entry to Bataclan, Says Band's Manager (Exclusive)". Billboard. November 13, 2016.
  38. ^ Reed, Ryan. "Eagles of Death Metal Prep Emotional Doc on Paris Bataclan Attack". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 5, 2016. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
  39. ^ AFP, Pulse News Agency International By. "In Spain: Man held by authorities spotted at Bataclan band concert venue". Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  40. ^ Peace Love Death Metal at AllMusic
  41. ^ Fane Saunders, Tristram (November 16, 2015). "Who are Eagles of Death Metal?". The Telegraph.
  42. ^ Krauser, Emily (November 13, 2015). "5 Things to Know About the Eagles of Death Metal". ET Online. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  43. ^ Harvey, Dennis (January 18, 2017). "Film Review: 'Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis'". Variety. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  44. ^ Martins, Chris (November 4, 2008). "Eagles Of Death Metal: Heart On". AV Club. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  45. ^ "Paris attacks: Eagles of Death Metal safe after fans killed at gig". BBC. November 14, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  46. ^ Heller, Jason (September 23, 2015). "Review: Eagles Of Death Metal, 'Zipper Down'". NPR. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  47. ^ Camp, Zoe (October 6, 2015). "Eagles of Death Metal – Zipper Down". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  48. ^ Crock, Jason. "Eagles of Death Metal – Death By Sexy". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  49. ^ Hume, Tim (November 22, 2015). "Eagles of Death Metal: Many fans died trying to save friends in Paris attacks". CNN. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  50. ^ Grow, Kory. "Eagles of Death Metal: Zipper Down". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 21, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  51. ^ Grebey, James (August 27, 2015). "Eagles of Death Metal Share Nonstop New Track, 'Got a Girl'". Spin. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  52. ^ Miers Smith, Susan (January 4, 2016). "Eagles of Death Metal a misnomer for rockabilly band". Reading Eagle. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  53. ^ "Out Tomorrow: New releases from AC/DC, EAGLES OF DEATH METAL, HANK WILLIAMS III and more…". Metal Injection. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  54. ^ Fullerton, Jamie (July 12, 2009). "Eagles Of Death Metal cheer Lily Allen, Seasick Steve at T In The Park". NME. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  55. ^ a b "Eagles Of Death Metal". eaglesofdeathmetal.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
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