Eugene Weekly : Music : 10.14.04
The Eagle Has Landed
Rock's new saviors condemn us to death by sexy.
BY VANESSA SALVIA
Despite the name, Eagles of Death Metal are neither classic rock nor death metal. They are party band extraordinaire, with a sound like a sexed up White Stripes, if Jack White had a huge mustache and dressed like a refugee from the Village People. EODM began as an inside joke and made its first recorded appearance on Desert Sessions Volume 4, a series of freeform recording sessions spearheaded by Queens of the Stone Age and ex-Kyuss guitarist Josh Homme.
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| Eagles of Death Metal play at John Henry's Monday. |
Homme, Jesse Hughes (a.k.a. J. Devil Huge) and Timmy Van Hamel recorded one fantastic album, Peace, Love, Death Metal, before Van Hamel departed to rejoin his popular band, Millionaire. With Homme on drums and Hughes fronting on guitar and vocals, Eagles of Death Metal will appear at John Henry's on Oct. 18 along with The Swiss Army. After two days of coordinating with his publicist, Hughes, — at a tour stop in Hollywood — spoke with me by telephone. What follow are excerpts from our conversation.
Vanessa: You were driving through the desert yesterday.
J. Devil Huge: Yeah, I was. It was my birthday this weekend you know, honey? I got kind of full of the hell fire and fury of rock and roll in Las Vegas.
V: I thought maybe you were on a peyote binge and that's why you didn't return my call.
J: No. Never anything natural. I am not a hippie. I'm just joking! I'm here to make everyone happy and please every woman in the world with rock and roll.
V: How is the tour going for you?
J: It's going unbelievably fucking — pardon my language — amazing. It's been one fantastic moment to the next. Because, you know, I never played rock and roll before. This is my first record. My first gig was with the Eagles and Placebo like a year ago. And it's been wild. Now it's hordes of ladies chasing us down. MTV and glamour and videos and money and shameless, unbelievable hedonistic behavior. It's like everything I hoped it would be! The Eagles were kind of taking flight on their own and honestly it sounds kind of corny but it was just doing shit on its own and it wanted itself to be alive.
V: The band's kind of shrouded in mystery. It's hard to find facts.
J: Well, it's no mystery. It's a rock and roll purity thing. We stick to what Little Richard would love. And then we're just here to dance. You know, it seemed like so much in music was really lame and bitter. You couldn't belong or listen to The Clash unless you'd been into them since '81. You know what I mean? There was kind of this attitude in rock and roll that was really petty and jealous and lame, and everyone stopped dancing! And people stopped making music for ladies. I dare say that Limp Bizkit is not making music for ladies. It's making music for angry 14 year-old boys.
V: They're not making music for me, that's for sure!
J: That's what I'm saying! And here you are, honey, you've been trying to track down this rogue-ish mustachioed freak who isn't even returning your calls and you've got better things to do, darling! That's why Eagles of Death Metal make music to dance to. It's like we've come to condemn everyone to Death by Sexy.
V: That doesn't seem like a bad way to go.
J: Well no, and there's rebirth of course. Reincarnation into the sexy otherworld.
V: I'm intrigued by your views and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter.
J: [Laughs] I've got an excellent newsletter. And it'll come out just for you, darling! I hoped you would like me. You may just like me yet!
V: Why should I like you?
J: Because I'm a sweetheart. Because I can both boogie and woogie. Because I have, from what I've been told by some of the experts in the field, one of the finest mustaches in the history of rock and roll. I mean, when you've finally been rocked by the mustache, it's a whole new world! It changes stuff up, and, darling, that's why I want you to be at the front row. I do need to make it up to you. I did not mean to not make that call to you yesterday!
V: Why do people like Eagles of Death Metal?
J: Well, sometimes it's just for the obvious; it rocks. Honey, it's hot, and it's the real deal so to speak in terms of outrageous sexiness. But it's also boogie woogie. It just dances. It's all-inclusive. It's emotionally healthy. See, the songs [on Peace, Love, Death Metal] are just good old rock and roll songs. I stole the songs that I wrote from some of the best rock music made of all time. This is technically the greatest rock album ever made. People are dancing again. And that's why you should love Eagles of Death Metal, darling. Because it loves you so much!
AX BILLY GRILL & SPORTS BAR
999 WILLAMETTE ST. 484-4011
SA: Group Therapy--8; Jazz
CAFE PARADISO
115 W. BROADWAY 484-9933
TH: Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch--8; Songwriters
FR: Justin King--9; Guitar
SA: Cross-eyed Rosie, North 19, The Tall Boys--8
SU: Mike Compton, David Grier--7; Guitar, bluegrass mandolin
CLUB TSUNAMI
2222 CENTENIAL BLVD.
TH: Karaoke w/ DJ Jared--9
SA: DJ Tekneek--10:30
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| HELIANE FERREIRA PINTO SINGS WITH TWO BANDS, FRIDAY AT COZMIC PIZZA. |
COZMIC PIZZA@THE STRAND All Ages
8TH AVE. AND CHARNELTON ST. 338-9333
FR: Serenata, Sambanana--8; Brazilian vocals
SA: Swing dance w/Club 7--8
SU: Gayuna Cealo--6:30; Buddhist presentation
MO: Caleb Paul, Jeremy Frogg, Sara Zagerino--9
TU: Democratic party benefit performance by Live Matinee, On the Edge--5:30; Political satire
WE: Film Night w/Outfoxed, Hijacking Catastrophe
The Walton Complex--9; Rock
DUCK INN
1795 W. 6TH AVE.
TH: Ben Coleman's Karaoke--8
SA: Ben Coleman's Karaoke--8
EMBERS SUPPER CLUB
1811 HWY. 99 N. 688-6564
TH: Billy McCoy--9; Country
FR: Michael Anderson Trio—9; Variety, country
SA: Michael Anderson Trio—9; Variety, country
WE: Billy McCoy—9; Country
GOOD TIMES
375 E. 7TH AVE. 484-7181
TU: Rooster's Blues Jam--8
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| 20 MINUTE LOOP PLAYS SATURDAY AT THE INDIGO DISTRICT. |
INDIGO DISTRICT
1290 OAK ST. 434-6553
SA: 20 Minute Loop, The Visible Men, The Monolith--9; Rock
JAKE'S PLACE
19TH AND JEFFERSON
SA: David Rogers--6 ; Guitar
SU: Gordon David Kaswell--10 am; Guitar
JOE'S BAR & GRILLE
TU: DJ Tekneek--10; Hip hop, R & B
JO FEDERIGO'S
259 E. 5TH AVE. 343-8488
TH: Jo Fed's All Star Jazz Jam-9
FR: Doctor Bundy's London Rock Review--9
SA: The Side Project--9
SU: Mark Alan—9; Jazz; Acoustic guitar/vocals
MO: Skip Jones—9; Organ
TU: Barbara Dzuro—8:30; Jazz
WE: John Fiori--9
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| SPLIT LIP RAYFIELD PLAYS AN EARLY SHOW AT JOHN HENRY'S ON WEDNESDAY. |
JOHN HENRY'S
77 W. BROADWAY 342-3358
TH: '80s Night w/Chris, Jenn and John--10
FR: The Hellenbacks, The Perverts, The Surfonics--9
SA: Johnny Cash tribute w/Joshua James--10
SU: Broadway Review--10; Burlesque, variety
MO: Eagles of Death Metal, Bullets and Octane, On the First Day ... They Were Kittens--8
TU: DJs Mark and Molly--9
WE: Split Lip Rayfield, Hillstomp--6
DJ Kal El vs. DJ Tekneek--10; Dance hall, hip hop
JUANITA'S HIDEAWAY
6451/2 RIVER ROAD 463-7632
TH: Dueling Pianos--9
FR: JC Rico & Zulu Dragon--9; Blues, soul
SA: Valley Boys--9; '50s and '60s rock
SU: Karaoke w/Lydia--8
MO: Rock 'n' Blues Jam w/Peter Giri
WE: Singers showcase w/John Crider, Jaki Su
THE KEG
4711 W. 11TH AVE. 345-5563
SA: Karaoke and dancing w/Jared--9
LATITUDE 10 CAFE
2757 FRIENDLY ST. 343-3460
SA: Mike Denny--6; Jazz guitar
LAVELLE'S WINE BAR & BISTRO
5TH ST. PUBLIC MARKET 338-9875
FR: Kenny Silveman--5; Jazz
SA: Gus Russell--5; Jazz
WE: John Crider--6
LUCKEY'S CLUB CIGAR
933 OLIVE ST. 687-4643
TH: The Dimes, Anaura--10; Pop, rock
FR: Yeltsin, Deke Falcon--10; Rock
SA: Swyl, Sweet Island Thyme--10; Rock, jam
TU: Jazz Night w/ Mantis--10
WE: Waistband Tuck--10; Party funk
LUNA
30 E. BROADWAY 434-5862
TH: Toby Koenigsberg Trio--8; Jazz
FR: Erik Muiderman--6:30; Singer/songwriter
Bill Beach Tiro--9
SA: Erik Muiderman--6:30; Singer/songwriter
Today's Menu--9; Jazz
MAC'S AT THE VET'S
1626 WILLAMETTE ST. 344-8600
FR: Naven Johnson Blues Band--9:30
SA: Deb Cleveland and the Vipers--9:30; Blues
WE: Christie & McCallum--7; Honky tonk
MCDONALD THEATRE
1010 WILLAMETTE ST.
SA: Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Stockholm Syndrome--8
THE O BAR
1 COMMONS WAY 349-0707
TU: Karaoke w/ DJ Jared--9
OREGON ELECTRIC STATION
27 E. 5TH 485-4444
FR & SA: Don Latarski Group—8; Jazz
OUR PLACE TAVERN
HWY. 99 & ROYALE AVE.
FR & SA: Clyde Baxter--8; Karaoke
OVERTIME GRILL
770 S. BERTELSEN 342-5028
TH: Blues Jam—8:00
PEABODY'S
444 E. 3RD AVE. 484-2927
TH: Mercury Refrain--9; Jazz
FR: Peter Giri Project--9; Acoustic
SA: Eclypse--9; Contemporary
TU: Peter Giri Project--9; Acoustic
WE: Matt Potman--9; Acoustic rock
PERUGINO
767 WILLAMETTE ST. 687-9102
WE: Irish Jam--7; Celtic
PRIME TIME SPORTS BAR
1360 MOHAWK. 746-0549
SU: Karaoke w/ DJ Jared--9:30
QUACKER'S
2105 W. 7TH 485-5925
MO: Karaoke--9; Variety
WE: Blues Jam--8:30
SAM BOND'S GARAGE
407 BLAIR 431-6603
TH: Lisa Miller and her Kin, J Byrd Hosch--9; Honky tonk
FR: Alice Stuart, The Raventones--9:30; Rock
SA: Zambuko Marimba, Cosmas Magaya, Ambuya Beauler Dyoko--9; Mbira benefit for Kutsinhira Cultural Center
SU: Irish Jam--4
Chris Whitley, Jeff Lang--8:30; Americana
MO: Ashleigh Flynn, Amelia White--9
TU: Bluegrass Jam--9
WE: Botox, Uncle Nancy--9; Improv
SAM'S PLACE
825 WILSON ST. 484-4455
TH: Karaoke w/Judy K--9
SA: Saturday--10; Funk
STACY'S COVERED BRIDGE
401 E. MAIN ST., COTTAGE GROVE 767-0320
WE: Open Mic Night w/Ron O'Keefe--8:30
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| NANCY WOOD AND PAUL SAFAR HOLD A CD RELEASE PARTY AT TSUNAMI BOOKS. |
SWEETWATER'S
VALLEY RIVER INN 687-0123
FR & SA: Vaness Express--8:30; Country rock
TAYLOR'S BAR AND GRILL
894 E. 13TH AVE. 554-5320
SA: DJs Smur, Tekneek--10; Hip hop, R & B
TINY TAVERN
394 BLAIR BLVD. 687-8383
FR: Uncle Stumbles--9:30; American improv
TSUNAMI BOOKS All Ages
2585 WILLAMETTE 345-8986
SA: Paul Safar and Nancy Wood CD Release Party--4
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| TECH N9NE BRINGS THE HOSTILE TAKEOVER TOUR TO THE WOW HALL THURSDAY. |
WOW HALL All Ages
291 W. 8TH AVE. 687-2746
TH: Tech N9ne, Project Deadman, Skatterman, others--8; Hip hop
FR: The Spirit of Guthrie w/Vince Herman, Rob Wasserman, Jim Page--9; Folk
SA: Club Groove--9; Hip hop
MO: Project Object--9; Frank Zappa
WE: Mason Jennings, Haley Bonar--9; Singer/songwriters
CORVALLIS
FOX 'N' FIRKIN
202 SW. 1ST ST. 753-8533
WE: TenPas' Tricky Trivia--8:30
THE PEACOCK All Ages
125 SW 2ND. 754-8522
TH: DJ Tekneek--10; Hip hop, R & B
SU: Nairobi Boys--6; Jazz covers
WE: Neal Grandstaff, Ray Brassfield--8:30; Improv blues and jazz jam
PLATINUM NIGHT CLUB
126 SW 4TH ST.
FR: DJs Ivan and Lupe--10; Salsa, merengue
SA: Groundation, Jahbong--9; Roots reggae
WE: Kane Hodder, Still Life Projector, Jackass--8; Punk
