In an interview with Fox Business Channel last week, Eagles of Death metal frontman Jesse Hughes made a pretty bold claim regarding the massacre that took place at the band’s Paris show last year. He claimed that some security didn’t show up for work that day, as if they knew that something was going to be happening. He didn’t have anything to back that up, and the club quickly offered a response stating that it was a defamatory statement and that they’d prefer to let justice unfold as the investigation continues. On Friday, Hughes issued a statement backtracking his accusations:
“I humbly beg forgiveness from the people of France, the staff and security of the Bataclan, my fans, family, friends and anyone else hurt or offended by the absurd accusations I made in my Fox Business Channel interview. My suggestions that anyone affiliated with the Bataclan played a role in the events of November 13 are unfounded and baseless—and I take full responsibility for them. They do not reflect opinions of my bandmates or anyone associated with Eagles of Death Metal. The shame is 100% mine. I’ve been dealing with non-stop nightmares and struggling through therapy to make sense of this tragedy and insanity. I haven’t been myself since November 13. I realize there’s no excuse for my words, but for what it’s worth: I am sincerely sorry for having hurt, disrespected or accused anyone.”
It’s a lot to have gone through, watching a concert disrupted by one of the most despicable terrorist acts imaginable. He lost his merch guy and quite a few fans, so it’s at least somewhat understandable why he might make an accusation like that, but it’s good that he had the sense to backtrack on it.
