Despite the massacre that took place earlier this month at the Bataclan in Paris, both the people of France and the bands that play in the City of Lights are doing their best to return to normal.  While some bands, like Lamb of God and Five Finger Death Punch, have pulled out of playing shows in the wake of the attacks. others have chosen to persevere and play on. One of those bands is Clutch, who played at Le Trabendo in Paris this past Friday (27), just two weeks after militant Islamics gunned down 89 at an Eagles of Death Metal concert. Singer Neil Fallon, who doesn’t often weigh in on personal stuff, left an account of the show on his Instagram page that was as moving as anything anyone not directly involved in the attack has said. Here’s his account:

I still don’t have the words to speak about the evils that took place in Paris on November 13th. I doubt I ever will. Plenty has been said already. Some very moving words, some very ignorant. For myself, though, I find the commentaries on social media and online outlets to be too easy and too self serving, however well intended. I figured the best thing we could do was simply get on the stage and play some rock and roll. Having said that, it hasn’t been easy. Not a show has gone by that I haven’t thought about The Eagles of Death Metal, their fans, the crew at The Bataclan, the patrons of Stade de France and all the other victims who were simply enjoying a beautiful evening in Paris. A lot has been said about bands, particularly American bands, who have cancelled shows and tours. I do not fault them. Nor do I judge them. No one outside of those bands and venues knows the particulars of the circumstances. I do, however, find fault with those that judge them for doing so. It’s too easy to proclaim “what should be done” whilst sitting in a castle of on-line anonymity. If the promoters here in Europe had asked us to reschedule, Clutch would have done the same. I’ve been doing this for nearly 25 years now and last night’s show in Paris was the most moving experience I’ve ever had while performing with JP, Tim, and Dan. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. People danced. People sang. People threw liters of beer across the room. By all accounts, it was a typical rock show. But these seemingly ordinary behaviors were extraordinary. The show wasn’t about Clutch. It wasn’t about rock and roll. It was about the fans. It was about Paris. It was about the indomitable spirit of humanity’s best retaliating against its worst… with joy. However brief it may have been, I am so grateful to have been a part of that. Thank you, Paris. FLUCTUAT NEC MERGITUR.

A photo posted by Neil Fallon (@npfallon) on Nov 28, 2015 at 9:06am PST

Bram Teitelman

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