NEW YORK, USA – California rockers Eagles of Death Metal want to be the first band to play the Bataclan theater when the Paris venue reopens after the November attacks targeted their gig.
"I don't want to spend my life trying to appease a-sholes I want to spend my life smiling with my friends and entertaining them," Jesse Hughes, the band's vocalist, told Vice in an interview.
"I cannot wait to come back to Paris. I cannot wait to play. I want to come back. I want to be the first band to play in the Bataclan when it opens back up," he said.
"I was there when it went silent for a minute. Our friends went there and died. I'm gonna go back there and live." (READ: Eagles of Death Metal urges compassion, halts shows after Paris attack)
Gunmen attacked nearly simultaneously targets across Paris on November 13, killing 130 people, 89 of them at the Bataclan.
The band sat down for a full interview with Vice.com in Los Angeles after returning to America following the carnage.
They each detailed the instant decisions they took to save their lives, and the horrors they saw as the gunmen emptied round after round indiscriminately into the crowd.
The band had been due to perform across Europe until December 10, but has put on hold all further concerts. A number of French fans have appealed on them online to return to play.
"We don't really have a chance. We have to finish the tour," said Josh Homme, Death Metal co-founder who was not in Paris.
"We have a song called 'I Love You All The Time.' If you're a country artist, if you're death metal, if you're a DJ, it doesn't matter, cover that song and we'll donate the publishing (royalties)," he told Vice.– Rappler.com
More on the Paris attacks:
- Rockers in Paris attacks to return to US
- Over 128 killed, 180 injured in Paris attacks
- IN PHOTOS: November 13 Paris attacks
- ISIS claims Paris attacks
- The Bataclan theater in Paris: From music venue to killing ground
- U2 cancel Paris concert after attacks
- US band caught up in Paris attacks reported safe
- Witnesses tell of 'bloodbath' at Paris rock concert
- Shock, horror for 80,000 fans at Stade de France after Paris attacks
- French search for friends, shelter online after Paris attacks
Global, social media reactions
- New York's Met Opera sings French anthem after attacks
- Music world in shock over Paris concert massacre
- World leaders condemn Paris attacks, vow to help
- Pope Francis on Paris attacks: 'This is not human'
- Aquino: 'Philippines stands shoulder to shoulder with France'
- 'This time it's war:' French press react with horror to attacks
- World mourns and condemns attacks in Paris
- #PrayForParis, #Fusillade trends on Twitter amid Paris attacks
- Celebrities call for support, prayers for Paris