Dan Auerbach's The Arcs Concert Shut Down During Paris Terrorist Attacks Only 3 Miles Away

Three miles away from the chaos ensuing at Paris' Bataclan theater, where at least 118 were killed in a terrorist attack during an Eagles of Death Metal concert, Dan Auerbach and his side project The Arcs hunkered down with fans in the locked down Le Trianon theater as gunshots rang out and helicopters flew over head outside the venue.

Auerbach's scenario is not so unlike many other millions in the city who were shocked and horrified by the violence, but The Black Keys singer couldn't help but have survivor's remorse.

The similarities between the two shows are striking: both are 1,500-seat venues, both are 150-year-old historic theaters, the two events were just three miles away from each other and both were U.S. bands performing.

"I know people who are like, 'What am I gonna do? See the Arcs or the Eagles of Death Metal?' And I've woken up feeling very out of sorts," Auerbach told Rolling Stone. "What do you call it, survivors' remorse? Why the hell did it happen there and not where we were playing? I'm just so brokenhearted about all those people. And I think about our sound guy and lighting guy who would have been right there. It's so scary."

Auerbach also gave some moving words about one of the victims, Nick Alexander, who served as Eagles of Death Metal's merchandise guy on the night, but has worked with The Black Keys in the past.

"When The Black Keys go out on the road, we're supporting about 30 people, and we have a very strong bond with these guys. Every band does," Auerbach said. "Nick was just a really nice guy. He was just an absolute rock and roll guy. He lived for it. Selling merch is a really, really tough job. He was one of the first ones in, last ones out. You have to be 100 percent prepared for that short burst of sales, that wave of people when they come in and when they come out. When you find someone really good at that job, you try to hold on to them. He was that guy for a lot of people."

When he heard the news after The Arcs finished its set, Auerbach also said his first instinct was to text Eagles of Death Metal drummer Josh Homme to make sure he was OK, but forgot that he doesn't tour with the band and was safe in Los Angeles.

The Arcs are safe following the show and took a bus to Milan that night to get out of the city.

Tags

The Arcs, Dan Auerbach, Eagles of Death Metal, Paris Attacks