Comments on: RIP Dimebag

RIP Dimebag

Numenorian — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 06:37:19 -0800

Nightclub Shooting in Ohio kills "Dimebag" Darrel Abbot, formerly of Grammy Award Winning band Pantera. His new band Damageplan released a their debut album 8 months ago. [I know music filter, news filter, etc]

By: jonmc

jonmc — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 06:40:32 -0800

. *flicks lighter*

By: dhoyt

dhoyt — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 06:42:50 -0800

By: a3matrix

a3matrix — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 06:51:51 -0800

By: The Card Cheat

The Card Cheat — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 06:53:07 -0800

I grade Dimebag the following Rock Death Rating, in accordance with the Greil Marcus "Rock Death in the 1970s: A Sweepstakes" scale: Past Contributions: 7 Future Contributions: 2 Manner of Death: 10 Total: 19 (All-time record holder: Buddy Holly, with 28)

By: three blind mice

three blind mice — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:00:48 -0800

number one with a bullet?

By: sciurus

sciurus — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:01:15 -0800

. *listens to Cemetary Gates*

By: Atom12

Atom12 — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:04:15 -0800

This is incredibly fucked. I wasn't a fan of Pantera or Damageplan but I know a lot of people who were. Sad thing is that this will now probably result in a wave of "how safe are your children at concerts" newscasts, which is complete bullshit. From all accounts I've read, the bouncers did the best they could and saved a number of lives. This kind of thing can (and has) happened in banks, supermarkets and other places. Oh, and 3BM? You're an asshole.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:05:43 -0800

Don't sweat it Atom12, he's probably a Modest Mouse fan.

By: bardic

bardic — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:08:59 -0800

Pantera genuinely scared me the first time I heard them in the halcyon days of 1994. Granted, I was listening to way too much classic rock. I wonder what the beef was... or just some idiot on drugs?

By: jon_kill

jon_kill — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:22:10 -0800

Funny, JonMC, I'm a Modest Mouse fan yet I still think this is tragic. Can you make me a pigeonhole please?

By: jonmc

jonmc — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:24:14 -0800

jon kill, it wasn't a pigeonhole, even though I don't care for Modest Mouse, and I like Pantera. I just wanted to make tbm feel foolish. Let's not start a war, here.

By: jon_kill

jon_kill — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:27:04 -0800

Ah.

By: bondcliff

bondcliff — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:32:39 -0800

My thoughts exactly, Atom12. Get ready for the "Is Heavy Metal as dangerous as the rap music?" craze on the evening news.

By: kmartino

kmartino — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:32:54 -0800

Pantera carried the ball when Metallica dropped it in the early nineties. More than half the new metal bands out there wouldn't exist today without 'em. "Reverend reverend is this some conspiracy? Crucified for no sins, An image beneath me. Whats within our plans for life? It all seems so unreal, I'm a man cut in half in this world, Left in my misery..." More at Blabbermouth and Zack Wylde's message board. Rest in peace Dimebag.

By: Floydd

Floydd — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:38:11 -0800

“If Picasso painted the same fuckin' painting over and over, don't you think that motherfucker would be a bored son'a bitch?” Dimebag Darrel Not a fan of the music, but I appreciate the passion. .

By: Ufez Jones

Ufez Jones — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:41:28 -0800

I know a few folks in Dallas that have met Dimebag at one point in time or another. They all said he was a very nice, genuine guy. How horrible for Vinny Paul to sit there thinking it was going to be another of thousands of normal shows and then watch his brother get shot several times. RIP, brother.

By: 445supermag

445supermag — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:42:40 -0800

A story on the morning news said the gunman specifically targeted Dimebag, shooting him multiple times. I wonder what the full story will turn out to be. Pantera was one of the few bands that I actually bought every CD as they came out (Corrosion of Conformity and Type O Negative would be the others). I first saw them live ( very early '90's)without hearing their post CBFH music. Even I had only heard (and not remembered) a song from their '80's period, I decided to go see them at Hammerjacks in Baltimore. It was one of those concerts I will never forget. The music was incredible hard and fast, but never lost the groove (unlike the speed metal of slayer or megadeth).

By: John Kenneth Fisher

John Kenneth Fisher — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:48:08 -0800

I never even heard of this guy, but based on the response of one of my friends: .

By: andrew cooke

andrew cooke — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:49:28 -0800

well, i guess this is good news for people who.. oh, never mind.

By: TheDonF

TheDonF — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:55:22 -0800

Fucking Hostile .

By: GeekAnimator

GeekAnimator — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:56:13 -0800

Sad, sad news. Pantera meant a lot to me back in high school. I saw them at ozzfest a few years ago, (in the same town as the shooting, actually; Columbus, OH). Phil Anselmo had the unfortunate job of coming out on stage to anounce that ozzy was too sick to perform. But we all got to see a once-in-a-lifetime display, instead, as members of Pantera, Type O Negative's Peter Steele, and Marilyn Manson, all went on stage together and played some Ozzy covers. of course, that didn't stop some knuckleheads from rioting anyway.

By: sciurus

sciurus — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:01:27 -0800

That's cool GeekAnimator. I saw something similar with System of the Down, Korn, Kid Rock and Metallica-minus-Hetfield a few years ago. The cool thing was that Metallica had us hold on to our ticket stubs and came back a month later and gave us a free 3 hour concert.

By: three blind mice

three blind mice — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:02:02 -0800

This kind of thing can (and has) happened in banks, supermarkets and other places. and now because it happens to some has-been metalhead who stroked a chord in your psyche you get all teary-eyed.

By: Fuzzy Monster

Fuzzy Monster — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:03:45 -0800

Pantera's album Vulgar Display of Power is one of the best Metal albums of all time, and it has one of the best Metal covers of all time. Has anyone here ever been to Dimebag's golf-themed strip club The Clubhouse, located in scenic Dallas, Texas? On preview: three blind mice, you're adding nothing to this thread.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:06:34 -0800

three blind mice - I hope someone you admire dies in a needlessly violent fashion, so we can come in and piss all over it.

By: rushmc

rushmc — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:10:56 -0800

Classy, jonmc...

By: AlexReynolds

AlexReynolds — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:11:47 -0800

I hate the music of Pantera and Modest Mouse equally. Where's my pigeonhole?

By: poppo

poppo — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:13:08 -0800

Vulgar Display shall be rocked for eight straight hours in my cubicle today

By: three blind mice

three blind mice — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:15:02 -0800

fair enough fuzzy monster. i'll let the metal fans mourn in peace. but it is ironic how all these fans who thrive on violent lyrics, satanic imagery, and death and destruction bust out in tearful ballads when the stuff they listen to at loud volume happens for real. on preview johnmc, it's happening everyday in iraq and they have already been well pissed on here at mefi. but thanks for the sentiments.

By: Wolfdog

Wolfdog — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:15:32 -0800

\m/ RIP.

By: gwint

gwint — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:15:59 -0800

your trust is in whiskey and weed and Black sabbath - it’s goddamn electric .

By: Numenorian

Numenorian — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:18:02 -0800

I was sort of surprised not to see this thread already here when I logged in this morning. I'm still out looking for more links and details. I do want to say sorry if I didn't get enough information and if it was sort of news filter. (please forgive this n00b on his first fpp)

By: jon_kill

jon_kill — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:18:12 -0800

If you can't be respectful, three blind mice, take off.

By: davelog

davelog — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:20:51 -0800

3BM, Please accept this gift of a guitar and a bus ticket to Ohio. Happy holidays.

By: Numenorian

Numenorian — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:21:27 -0800

but it is ironic how all these fans who thrive on violent lyrics, satanic imagery, and death and destruction bust out in tearful ballads when the stuff they listen to at loud volume happens for real. I can't speak for all metal heads 3 blind mice, but for me the music was an outlet for that rage and feelings that I was feeling. Rather than go out and kill someone, I'd just put on music that talked about doing it and let the rage out. It has probably saved me from getting in a lot of trouble...

By: jonmc

jonmc — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:24:01 -0800

on preview johnmc, it's happening everyday in iraq and they have already been well pissed on here at mefi. but thanks for the sentiments. three blind mice, you came into a memorial thread about someone people admired. First you cracked a lame joke. Then you personally attacked Atom12 for admiring him. Don't try to pretend you did that out of some noble purpose. On preview: word, numenorian.

By: jpoulos

jpoulos — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:30:26 -0800

i ♥ jonmcfilter.

By: stet

stet — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:30:44 -0800

By: Grums

Grums — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:31:30 -0800

Pantera, Far Beyond Driven tour, was the first real concert I went to almost 10 years ago. Still got the t-shirt, great quality. I am going to wear it tomorrow. Not a big fan of Pantera anymore though, but I have heard a Modest Mouse song and liked it. Too bad the rest of the album sucked.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:33:21 -0800

jpoulos: if you don't like me or what I have to say, that's your prerogative, but don't you have anything better to do than jump on me every time I voice an opinion?

By: kmartino

kmartino — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:34:36 -0800

"but it is ironic how all these fans who thrive on violent lyrics, satanic imagery, and death and destruction bust out in tearful ballads when the stuff they listen to at loud volume happens for real." Those 'tearful ballad' lyrics I posted were FROM Pantera and, IMHO, one of the greatest songs *ever* written. Any genre. Period. Metal is about a whole lot more than "death and destruction", but you probably know that already - you're just trolling.

By: Atom12

Atom12 — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:46:38 -0800

Darrell was a very nice and genuine guy who brought a lot of joy to a lot of people. Probably more than you have 3BM. But whatever gets you through study hall. And as Numenorian said, all that negativity in the music can bring about some seriously positive things in the lives of the listeners -- namely, release. Music means a lot to people, and it means even more to those who don't have the best support system in the world and/or the ability to best express how they're feeling. Sometimes a song by "____" is the only thing that gets them through their day. Literally. I'm sure Darrell was that guy for a lot of people.

By: 445supermag

445supermag — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:50:38 -0800

Three Blind Mice, If someone reacts with more sadness over some deaths than others, it may well be for selfish reasons (that is, this death affects me personally in some minor matter, as opposed to just being anonymously tragic). However, what is your point? Is this a learned personality defect like racism, that needs to be overcome by personal growth? Or is this just part of being human? As to your point about violent lyrics and such, I like metal because it has lyrics about things that I enjoy (Literature, politics and yes, sex, violence and anti-christianism) and I find the music very compelling. What I really enjoyed about Pantera's music is the combination of a "led zepplin groove" (short 4 to 12 beat blues rhythms that continue after the lyrics start) and that sound of an overdriven guitar amp. The truncated sine-wave has a very full sound (that is, a wide bandwidth or lots of harmonics if you were to look at the Fourier transform). So fuck you.

By: Peter H

Peter H — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:50:52 -0800

I love that this is the most hostile obit thread I've read here on mefi. Someone break a bottle over someone's skull and let's make this a real Pantera obit thread! I am sad that false metal won a tiny bit today. But it's just today false metal, just today. You still suck.

By: puddsharp

puddsharp — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:51:09 -0800

Check out the Pantera home videos- even if you don't care for the music- you'll like the band members. Funny, funny stuff.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 08:57:59 -0800

I love that this is the most hostile obit thread I've read here on mefi. It's a "FUCKING HOSTILE!!" obit thread. Actually, it's because metal, along with rap and country, is probably the most hatred genre of music on earth. But, y'know, as much as I hate Depeche Mode, if Dave Gahan was murdered on stage, I wouldn't feel the need to articulate my hatred at that particular moment.

By: pyramid termite

pyramid termite — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:03:14 -0800

well, it's finally happened ... a rock performer was shot onstage this has been a worry in the back of people's minds for some time and now it's reality there's implications to this beyond the death of a well known heavy metal guitarist ... this is going to shake up the world of rock and roll in general ... there's going to be major changes in security ... and quite possibly a lot more distance kept between artists and audience three blind mice - whatever kind of music you prefer, you can bet your ass that the performers of it will be thinking about what happened to dimebag and whether it could happen to them

By: Peter H

Peter H — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:03:54 -0800

eu-lo-gy (n.) pl -gies 1: a commendatory formal statement or set oration 2: high praise syn see ENCOMIUM

By: junkbox

junkbox — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:05:08 -0800

After the debacle of seeing Ol Dirty Bastard reduced to "ODB" in the news after his death, this rampant use of the word "dimebag" across the Internets today gives me a happy. I think his Rock Death Rating deserves an extra point for flooding the media with a subversive drug reference that the news outlets seem to think is okay to print. You can't take the rock with you, but you can shove it in their faces on your way out the door.

By: greasy_skillet

greasy_skillet — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:05:49 -0800

I'm really shocked by this. I never was a Pantera fan, but as a kid I used to read Dimebag's column he had in some guitar rag. He was a talented player and teacher. .

By: sciurus

sciurus — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:08:57 -0800

To all the haters: I’ve trampled on that road That you think you own You have that ’smart ass’ attitude It’s time to stop the fiction I live it every day While you’re mind’s far away I’m out here putting pride on the line And you case on me with pure respect One chance at one thing Hard time is coming My time, your pain I reign on you ... I fight for love of brother Your friends fight one another You can’t see because your head’s up your ass And just in cast you think you’re bad I crush your rush I rule you fool I’m immovable stone in your world of weak -- I speak

By: me3dia

me3dia — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:14:13 -0800

By: Peter H

Peter H — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:22:56 -0800

pyramid termite: While I agree it's horrifying to conceive a musician getting murdered on stage, the more scandalous event, to me, had to be Dr Dre getting punched in the face at last month's VIBE awards! (with the guy who punched him then getting knifed by a member of G-Unit, no less!) RAP! ROCK! KILL KILL KILL! (/derail)

By: ROU_Xenophobe

ROU_Xenophobe — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:24:11 -0800

violent lyrics, satanic imagery, and death and destruction It's consistently amused and bemused me that people say stuff like this, when so much metal, and especially the stuff that's harder for its time, is full of anti-war, why-can't-we-all-get-along dirty hippie peacenik messages, from "War Pigs" to "Peace Sells" and beyond...

By: terrapin

terrapin — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:31:29 -0800

I am sorry for the passing of Dimebag. This comment is not meant to disrespect the memory of the person, or those who enjoyed his presence on this earth. It is simply a comment on the state television "news" and a gun-loving nation, that was somewhat broached earlier in the thread ... <sarcasm> Thank goodness Ohio has a concealed weapons law so kids can be sure to arm themselves the next time they go to a concert to protect themselves from the real loonies out there with guns. </sarcasm> This fucking sucks. No one should have to fear for their lives when going to see/hear their favourite music played live, no matter what genre. Let's hope something positive comes from this tragic incident, such as sane gun laws.

By: ChrisR

ChrisR — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:41:18 -0800

Not to mention "One" Not a Pantera fan, but no artist should go like that. .

By: ChrisR

ChrisR — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:42:59 -0800

Terrapin: With all respect, A) don't derail and B) [derail] what makes you think that the gun was legal?[/derail] But remember, kids: Don't derail!

By: dong_resin

dong_resin — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:46:49 -0800

Just as long as everyone in A New Found Glory is okay.

By: stupidsexyFlanders

stupidsexyFlanders — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:48:15 -0800

I never liked Pantera but unlike some I'm not going to impose an aesthetic test on someone before I mourn their loss. This is especially true when they die for stupid reasons at a relatively young age. Condolences to the band and to this guy's family, as well as the families of the other three people killed in the club. What a nightmare. And Atom12, I can't believe this would spawn a wave of "dangerous concert" fearmongering if the Great White tragedy didn't. [anti-gun sentiment deleted on preview]

By: jasonspaceman

jasonspaceman — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:49:22 -0800

By: chicobangs

chicobangs — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:49:58 -0800

terrapin, that's hilarious. "Sane gun laws." Oh, me. Next, you'll tell me the Easter Bunny is real, and Oswald acted alone. 'Scuse me, my sides hurt. Pantera was one of maybe a half-dozen metal bands I really dug. They were a lot more real about their devotion to the glorious noise than most, and they rocked really fuckin' hard. Also, that's a horrifying way to go. Makes you want to believe in a Valhalla of Rock. Damn.

By: rushmc

rushmc — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:51:52 -0800

eu-lo-gy (n.) pl -gies 1: a commendatory formal statement or set oration 2: high praise syn see ENCOMIUM But see, this is a thread for discussion, not a eulogy. If you want to write a eulogy, get a blog (or post it as one perspective among many in an open thread like this one). Other people will have different views to offer. If you can't handle diversity, you shouldn't be here.

By: Peter H

Peter H — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:55:46 -0800

This is tragic all around. People lost their lives because of some crazed fanatic. Wonder if he read any Salinger! (on preview, laughs at rushmc's comment and wonders if he even clicked encomium link)

By: psmealey

psmealey — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 09:58:39 -0800

This is senseless, shocking, sad, and emblematic of the sick fucking society we live in. Not that it matters, but I like Pantera, as well as Modest Mouse and even Depeche Mode. I don't particularly like Eminem, but if (God forbid) a similar tragedy were to befall him, I would still find it incredibly callous if someone would make a snarky comment on a thread devoted to eulogizing him.

By: terrapin

terrapin — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:03:26 -0800

What rushmc said.

By: bobo123

bobo123 — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:03:27 -0800

Wonder if he read any Salinger! I can't help but wonder if this occurring on the 24th anniversary of John Lennon's death is a coincidence or not.

By: quonsar

quonsar — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:03:30 -0800

*rushes thread, shoots rushmc*

By: psmealey

psmealey — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:11:28 -0800

I mean, except when Quonsar does it. Because he's funny.

By: sammy

sammy — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:23:39 -0800

Music means a lot to people, and it means even more to those who don't have the best support system in the world and/or the ability to best express how they're feeling. - Atom12 Well said. Pantera filled that void for me for a while during my teens while I was living at home with an abusive father. My now-husband sent me a package that included "Vulgar Display of Power" and when I was going through those bad times I'd sit with my headphones on listening to all that beautiful, angry music so I wouldn't go and do something stupid about how angry and helpless I felt. RIP Dimebag.

By: eyeballkid

eyeballkid — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:29:58 -0800

I agree with dong_resin, except he forgot to mention that chick from Evanescence who sounds like she's both singing and taking a long, painful shit is, thankfully, still rocking in the free world. .

By: t r a c y

t r a c y — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:31:23 -0800

A story on the morning news said the gunman specifically targeted Dimebag, shooting him multiple times. I wonder what the full story will turn out to be. news reports i've heard say the shooter was upset that pantera broke up and held the abbot brothers responsible... further proving he's a suckass bad fan because it's well known the break up was caused by the lead singer. anyway, RIM(usic) Darrel.

By: Sticherbeast

Sticherbeast — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:36:29 -0800

\mm/ Dimebag, you were too much metal for one hand. RIP.

By: somethingotherthan

somethingotherthan — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:40:43 -0800

Through various sources, the intention of the guy was to kill Dimebag because the killer had it in his head that Dimebag broke up Pantera. I do not remember why Pantera broke up. I seem to think the lead singer left, not Dimebag. I am not sure how my sources got this information. This is tragic all around. People lost their lives because of some crazed fanatic. That was the early theory going round the radio stations as well, but the engineer at 97.9 in Columbus (warning: very bright and garish), who knew the warm-up band and might possibly have known the shooter, says that's probably pretty much a load of crap since the breakup of the band was so long ago. I'll take his word for that speculation because apparently he's pretty big in the metal scene. I don't know if he got to speak to his friend in the band yet, but if you can get that station, stay tuned for updates.

By: somethingotherthan

somethingotherthan — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:42:59 -0800

Oh, and I suppose it goes without saying that we'll never know for sure, since the shooter was killed at the scene.

By: adampsyche

adampsyche — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:43:20 -0800

OMG! What do people mean when they post just dots?

By: chaz

chaz — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:45:24 -0800

I dig their music but never liked the white power overtones that their lead singer got into sometimes. But the guitar player was a fuckin shredder, and Vulgar Display of Power was one of the best Metal albums of the 90s.

By: afx114

afx114 — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:51:14 -0800

I'm curious, how many musicians have died on-stage? I know the Morphine singer died of a heart attack on-stage. I also wonder, was Dimebag mid-headbang when it went down? Was it between songs, or right when the band got on stage? For Darrel's sake, I hope he went out with a facefull of thrashing long black hair in his eyes and furious blazing metal in his ears. What a way to go. RIP.

By: maggieb

maggieb — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 10:54:06 -0800

\m/ WWSBD?

By: bobo123

bobo123 — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 11:03:46 -0800

I'm curious, how many musicians have died on-stage? I know the Morphine singer died of a heart attack on-stage. Tiny Tim too. There's even video of him just collapsing on stage. A few other musicians listed here mentioned alongside actors and other performers.

By: baphomet

baphomet — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 11:05:08 -0800

Today my local chapter of the Metal Militia will be smoking bowls and shredding our axes between shots of Jack Daniels in the name of one of our heroes.

By: destro

destro — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 11:13:03 -0800

Didn't David Bowie have somebody come up on stage and fake a shooting in concert?

By: jonmc

jonmc — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 11:14:38 -0800

I'm curious, how many musicians have died on-stage? I know the Morphine singer died of a heart attack on-stage. Les Harvey of Stone The Crows was electrocuted by an improperly grounded microphone onstage, IIRC.

By: kidhuevos

kidhuevos — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 11:27:48 -0800

By: DieHipsterDie

DieHipsterDie — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 11:28:11 -0800

The venue that the shooting occurred in had a reputation (when I was in college in Columbus 8 years ago) for being lax on security -- fights, *serious* fights, broke out there all the time. I don't think I ever heard of a shooting there, but I remember at least one stabbing. I don't know that I've ever been to a venue where this type of thing could not happen. Short of putting up a bulletproof barrier between the band and the crowd, the only thing to prevent this type of incident would be metal detectors and x-ray and the door. That'll probably happen now.

By: Kiell

Kiell — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 11:29:52 -0800

Got in my car this morning, flicked on the radio and found "Walk" playing. 'Wow, great song, don't hear that played too often,' I thought. 'Shame I never got in to Pantera properly when I was younger, they fuckin rocked.' RIP, Dimebag.

By: COBRA!

COBRA! — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 11:34:53 -0800

Wasn't Keith Relf of the Yardbirds electrocuted onstage?

By: Justin Case

Justin Case — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 11:42:28 -0800

I saw a Bill Hicks set on TV onetime in which after he says goodbye to the audience a shot is heard and he falls to the floor. obviously not real

By: scottandrew

scottandrew — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 11:49:23 -0800

Satanic, my ass. Aggressive, ferocious metal has probably saved more teens from suicide than is known. I can't find a link to it, but I read a story earlier this year that concluded with one metal fan saying (I'm paraphrasing here): "when I was a teenager and felt like killing myself, I listened to Rollins, and didn't." Exactly.

By: 445supermag

445supermag — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 11:54:53 -0800

Let's hope something positive comes from this tragic incident, such as sane gun laws. Well, New York's insane gun laws didn't help John Lennon.

By: psmealey

psmealey — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 12:36:38 -0800

I think Keith Relf was electrocuted while playing guitar in his bathtub. Whether the bathtub was on stage at the time, I do not know.

By: COBRA!

COBRA! — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 12:46:41 -0800

Playing guitar in the bathtub? What a way to go. Seriously, though, maybe you can make the "what a way to go" argument for Dimebag Darrell. There's something to be said for dying doing something you love.

By: TheDonF

TheDonF — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 12:56:21 -0800

Numenorian: I was surprised it took so long to make a FPP as well. I tried to add it before you got there, but still being new, I don't quite have that privilege yet. puddsharp: I agree, the videos are amazing - I've got them all on VHS from years back. The Vulgar Videos tape is probably the best - truly hilarious viewing. RIP Dimebag and everyone else who died there. * Far Beyond Driven now being played very loud *

By: jpoulos

jpoulos — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 12:59:58 -0800

This is senseless, shocking, sad, and emblematic of the sick fucking society we live in. Oh bullshit. Unless by "sick fucking society" you mean one that stigmatizes our mentally ill instead of getting them treatment before they go out and kill people. There's no place in this country where behavior like this is "the norm". It's completely aberrant. But aberrant behavior like this has existed in every society throughout history. Any population will produce a percentage of mentally ill people, and a percentage of those will be violent.

By: o0o0o

o0o0o — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 13:02:31 -0800

I can almost see the onion headline now: Dimebag Smoked

By: quonsar

quonsar — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 13:06:43 -0800

thank you, jpoulos.

By: nearo

nearo — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 13:09:24 -0800

I tried to add it also, around 12 am last night, but even though I have been a member for over two years, I was not allowed.

By: psmealey

psmealey — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 13:11:25 -0800

Oh bullshit. Unless by "sick fucking society" you mean one that stigmatizes our mentally ill instead of getting them treatment before they go out and kill people. I think you just agreed with me. Though I guess I could have/should have been more articulate in trying to make my point: which is a combination of what you wrote as well as a frustration with how easy it is for people to get access to guns in this country. I apologize for grandstanding.

By: JBennett

JBennett — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 13:28:31 -0800

Sad news. I wansn't ever into Pantera, but I had a lot of friends who loved them. So, was this murder supposed to coincide with John Lennons murder (dec 8th 1980)? I'm glad that they killed the idiot murderer on the spot. Who cares what his motivation was, good riddance. As for other on stage music disasters, It was on the prospect park bandshell stage in Brooklyn where Curtis Mayfield was paralysed when the lighting rig collapsed.

By: Katemonkey

Katemonkey — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 13:44:46 -0800

[derail]destro said: Didn't David Bowie have somebody come up on stage and fake a shooting in concert? I think you might be thinking of Velvet Goldmine, in which the main character (a thinly veiled Bowie) gets "shot" on stage as a publicity stunt/death-of-character thing. But I could be mistaken.[/derail] That aside, I'm just astounded that this happened. I can't even imagine how horrific it must've been to be there and see this guy that you were all excited to see play live and you were getting all psyched up and ready to really start in, and then...like that. God. Just horrific.

By: Devils Slide

Devils Slide — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 14:02:39 -0800

I wasn't a Pantera fan either, but recognized Darrell's talent. I've heard quite a few musicians (and not just metal/hard rock ones either) say they respected Dimebag Darrell and considered him one of the best guitarists in the metal/thrash genre. Oh, and I heard another band member -- possibly Vinnie -- got shot too. Anyone know for sure?

By: Devils Slide

Devils Slide — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 14:04:04 -0800

And Modest Mouse are ok, but they sound too much like the Talking Heads (if David Byrne had a lisp).

By: gluechunk

gluechunk — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 14:21:39 -0800

Looks like they put a password on the Alrosavilla message boards sometime in the middle of the night, probably due to heavy traffic. There were lots of postings there from eyewitnesses, such as this post from a guy who opened up for DamagePlan: "...it went from the best night of my life to the worst in a matter of seconds. we had a great show. my last memory of DB was during our last song, turning around and seeing him standing next to the monitor board, pumping his fist at me saying fuck yeah. he was diggin it. i cant get that image out of my head, knowing that less than 30 minutes later he would be taken from us. one of our crew, travis, was the one who was injured the least. he is a professional fighter and a former army ranger, when he heard the shots, he ran to the stage and tried to help and the guy shot at him and the bullet grazed his arm. he is fine. and just for the record... vinne is very much alive. i dunno where they got that vinne was dead , but he is not. i saw him after the show. this is a very sad day."

By: Jimbob

Jimbob — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 14:26:10 -0800

. (Why couldn't God take Yngwie?)

By: Devils Slide

Devils Slide — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 14:35:13 -0800

Thanks for clearing that up gluechunk.

By: immer geradeaus

immer geradeaus — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 14:42:33 -0800

[derail]destro said: Didn't David Bowie have somebody come up on stage and fake a shooting in concert? Wasn't that a lollipop?

By: rushmc

rushmc — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 15:07:11 -0800

I would still find it incredibly callous if someone would make a snarky comment on a thread devoted to eulogizing him. Again, your premise is false. An incident of this nature raises many issues that people might like to discuss, not merely a "eulogy" of the victim.

By: FormlessOne

FormlessOne — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 15:38:23 -0800

Damn it. .

By: cosmonik

cosmonik — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 16:37:29 -0800

Shed a tear for talent, innovation, and understanding in a form of art so plagued with misconceptions. I remember laughing at his antics with Rexx on the Vulgar Tour Videos...damn those were good times. rushmc: to discuss the broader context of the death - i.e. violence and music, etc. - is totally valid, since that's what this forum is for, but threeblindmice's sniping comments were just cockbaggery. To refer to Dimebag as a 'has-been' shows how out of touch he is with the subject matter, and how he's unlikely to empathise with those touched by his death.

By: iamck

iamck — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 16:48:16 -0800

No comment.

By: psmealey

psmealey — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 16:59:27 -0800

OK. Point taken that the thread should not be limited to those eulogizing Darrell, but it what three blind mice said was still callous to the point of wtf. Fuck, I'm all over the place today. Could be all that cheap red wine at the office xmas party last night.

By: cosmonik

cosmonik — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 17:11:08 -0800

Good point iamck...and we saw the same thing with Reagan, and other dead public figures. Some mourn, others make jokes. I think it's a little fuckwaddish to joke in this case: it's not a heart attack, or dying of old age. It's the murder of innocents.

By: First Post

First Post — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 17:51:46 -0800

By: Dark Messiah

Dark Messiah — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 18:52:53 -0800

I really feel bad for Darrel's brother, Vinnie. My brother and I are both musicians, and if anything ever happened to him -- regardless of the setting -- my life would be over. To see my brother gunned down in front of me, for whatever reason, would end my life... Either I'd be dying by the same gun, or tearing the throat out of the son-of-a-bitch holding it. three blind mice: 1 - if you knew anything about Pantera, you'd know they weren't Satanic, they were proponents of self-empowerment and personal dignity. 2 - I used to be like you until I realize (first hand) that death is devastating and horrible. I sincerely hope you come to this realization in the same manner -- maybe you won't continue to exist as a pox on society with your ignorant fucking opinions -- and smarten up. One last thing 3DM, is it also funny and ironic that 3 other innocent people lost their lives? I'm still waiting for everyone to coalesce into one big gut laugh over that one.... Again, fuck you.

By: bingo

bingo — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 19:25:53 -0800

formerly of Grammy Award Winning band Pantera I believe that Pantera was nominated for a Grammy, but did not actually win.

By: o0o0o

o0o0o — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 19:39:40 -0800

Seriously, I don't see why you're all taking aim at 3BM. If you're just looking to shoot your mouths off, fine. No reason to get high and mighty. With metal being a genre that is traditionaly based on being "tough", you're acting like a buncha over-sensitive cry babies. Really, it's not as though the guy was a saint... and hell, even saints get made fun of. Not to say that the incident itself wasn't tragic for all involved.

By: Dark Messiah

Dark Messiah — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 20:54:12 -0800

Really, it's not as though the guy was a saint... Considering the only thing anyone ever accussed him of was leaving a very popular band, I'd say that's close enough for me. And metal isn't about being "tough". Some of it is. Just like all rock songs aren't about love and getting laid. Your generalizations are ignorant. And I don't think any of us metal fans are getting weepy here, just expressing a sadness. If you knew or cared anything about metal, you'd be in the same boat. When a man's riffs soundtracked your entire high school life, his untimely death is going to be a big letdown. And considering how good he was to his fans, it's a double letdown seeing him pass. And it has nothing to do with being high and mighty; it has to do with enforcing a modicum of decency. If you don't care about this topic and only have criticism and troll posts, then find a NON-OBITUARY post. You might find people a little more receptive.

By: o0o0o

o0o0o — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 21:17:42 -0800

Dark Messiah, I listened to metal growing up. All throughout Jr High, much of High School and still occasionally to this very day. That includes listening to Pantera and having seen them live. I'm sorry, but if your nickname is "Dimebag" you're going to have a few jokes made at your expense, even posthumously. Complaining about it is just that. I'm sure you pay the same respect to Biggie and Tupac, right?

By: cosmonik

cosmonik — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 21:22:44 -0800

3BM fired the first shot, so he's a natural target. o0o0o: Your argument does not make sense. If they praise 'tough guys', metal fans wouldn't like him if he *was* in fact a saint. What Dark Messiah said - to generalise metallers as 'traditionally based on being "tough"' shows an appalling lack of comprehension for someone trying to comment on the situation. And others died too; to be treated with decency is the least that this incident deserves. On preview: Speaking for myself, exactly the same process for Tupac.

By: cosmonik

cosmonik — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 21:27:51 -0800

Also, let's not forget Dimebag wasn't a gun-toting gangsta. He didn't pretend to be anything other than a guitar player. He was well known for being friendly and personable, even if his style was aggressive; it's this duality in metallers that causes such cognitive dissonance in people who aren't into such music. Tupac had led a violent life, and had been shot in eight separate non-fatal incidents prior to his death. I'm not saying it makes it any less tragic; same with ODB dying a 'natural' (non-violent) death, or Jam Master Jay getting stabbed, or Scott La Roc dying back in 1986 in much the same way (or Seagram, or T-Bone, or any number of other murdered rappers). They're equally undeserving of mockery upon demise.

By: rushmc

rushmc — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 22:14:35 -0800

Not to harp on the point (just because I defend people's right to react however they please doesn't mean I don't recognize the jerks), but this quote--which I may have first seen on Metafilter--is appropriate: The living are owed courtesy, the dead, only truth.

By: t r a c y

t r a c y — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 22:24:54 -0800

if your nickname is "Dimebag" you're going to have a few jokes made at your expense, even posthumously. afaik it wasn't his chosen nickname - his original nickname was "diamond darrel", but somewhere along the line someone he knew changed it to dimebag as a joke and it stuck.

By: Dark Messiah

Dark Messiah — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 22:30:07 -0800

I'm sure you pay the same respect to Biggie and Tupac, right? Yeah, by keeping the crass humour in my head. Your point?

By: one.louder.ash!

one.louder.ash! — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 23:15:43 -0800

Actually, t r a c y, according to Darrell himself in the early 90s, it was always "Dimebag," and some record exec mislabeled it as "Diamond," and the name stuck. I remember reading some guitar magazine where he stressed that it was always "Dimebag," but that he didn't really care what others called him. I won't claim to be the biggest fan ever, but growing up in Texas and playing guitar there's no way to avoid Pantera and I spent plenty of time listening to Cowboys From Hell, Vulgar Display of Power and Far Beyond Driven (I'd even admit to the Great Southern Trendkill, but only under duress). Hell, my ex-fiancee's older sis partied with them when they were still hair-rockers and one of my current co-workers partied with them after they got all heavy. In some ways, they (if anything, the Paul Brothers) were an institution here in Texas. Now if you don't mind me waxing nostalgic, I'm gonna go blare some tunes that I haven't heard in years... .

By: jimjam

jimjam — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 00:43:13 -0800

Best concert I was ever at was Pantera at the Alrosa (where the shooting occurred) on the Cowboys from Hell tour. best. concert. ever. RIP Dime. Something that sounds pretty whacked as well is that the shooter apparently had someone more or less hostage, and the cop that got there whacked the shooter with a -shotgun- as the hostage 'ducked'. It would be interesting to hear an account of how that went down. Ducking a close range shotgun blast. That could have gone pretty bad for said hostage.

By: fullerine

fullerine — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 01:16:20 -0800

Reading through a few forums about the death of this man I can't help noticing the utter hypocrisy of those demanding others "show some respect" when two days ago they would be the ones jumping all over a celebrities corpse and throwing the horns. The faint whiff of racism always turned me off Pantera and it's somehow fitting that it seems to pervade all the threads about this man. "Hey it's not like he was into ~~Black~~ thug culture". Why is it only tragic when it happens to one of your own?

By: Onanist

Onanist — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 01:49:42 -0800

Heard this sad news from one of the higher-ups at work, a Pantera fan, telling it to another co-worker. It was interesting seeing all the fans coming out of the woodwork. RIP Darrell! /puts on Vulgar Display of Power

By: black8

black8 — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 02:19:59 -0800

The faint whiff of racism always turned me off Pantera and it's somehow fitting that it seems to pervade all the threads about this man. "Hey it's not like he was into Black thug culture". You mean this faint whiff? No Good (Attack the Radical) In the states There's a problem with race Because of ignorant past burned fires From evolution We've been killing each other I figure man should have it down to a science No chance Not for a minute Not for a second I won't be defensive I'm straight out in my opinion You'ld better listen to a man who knows what he is saying I've seen your side You run and hide for the mere fact that you feel inferior Be superior And know your interior (Pre) Race, pride, prejudice Black man, white man No stand Live in the past We make it last A hated mass No solution Mind pollution For revolution (Chorus) So low behold my eyes This land of fools will rise No good For no one You blame oppression and play the role of criminals To rape and burn show progress is minimal White hoods and militants you know it's such a pity Living, breathing Violence in your city If one man Had one home In one world Held live alone without variety Full of anxiety No one to point at, question Or even talk to -- in his private grave No matter what color He wouldn't be saved from hell He dwells A closed mind playing the part of prison cells It seems to me he may be addressing both sides. I don't have a problem with it. I've seen Pantera three times and hadda blast (especially when they played with Trouble at the Paramount -jeez that rocked!) Anyway, I thought they were an excellent and influential band and I'm saddened by Abbotts passing. I can't imagine seeing a family member getting shot in front of me. RIP Darrell...

By: Numenorian

Numenorian — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 05:53:48 -0800

I believe that Pantera was nominated for a Grammy, but did not actually win. Bingo, I thought that it was for best heavy metal album, but indeed I might be mistaken, forgive me I'm too lazy too look it up at the moment. It was interesting seeing all the fans coming out of the woodwork. Onanist, I was also surprised seeing the response here, and elsewhere on the 'net and around work. The one thing that I'm going to take from this is that the dynamic at a lot of shows is going to change now. I've heard of several concerts being cancelled/postponed due to this incident. I hope that bands will not be afraid to play without draconian security measures. I think most of those were out of respect for the family as the bands are/were friends of the family. That is something else that is missing from the thread, the man had a lot of influence with some of the really good metal/thrash bands that are around now. Quite a bit of what I think is good in music opened or played with Pantera at one point or another and owe at least some of what they are today to that expereience.

By: jonmc

jonmc — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 06:59:38 -0800

The faint whiff of racism always turned me off Pantera Racism? Please. What because they were Metal, and even worse Southern, they had to be racist, right? And the "why is ist only bad when it happens to your own?" is a strawman, too? Are we required to preface our sadness about Dimebag with eulogies to Biggie, Tupac, and Scott LaRock (all of whom I am a fan of), just to make you comfortable? Or is your antipathy is because of your antipathy to heavy metal, it's culture and it's audience? In that case maybe you should just leave us alone at amoment like this. And rushmc, it's one thing to bring up issues relating to the event. I have no problem with people bringing up concert security and gun control. It's another thing entirely to piss all over the guys name for kicks. I remember you did a memorial thread to Francis Crick. If someone had popped in and said "Quit your whining about this egghead just because you liked his books, you cretin." (which would be the equivalent of what was said here), I imagine you'd be irked.

By: ikkyu2

ikkyu2 — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 08:30:44 -0800

Man, we used to make fun of Dime over on the guitar board I frequent, because he endorsed so much stuff (the MXR "Dime" distortion, the Washburns, the Dean MLs, the Cry Baby From Hell, the Dimebucker); because he used to be "Diamond" Darrell; because he rejected a bunch of hand-wound Seymour Duncan pickups until he found one that was "smushy" enough. But frankly, I've been listening to the man since 1987 and he always delivered - straight heavy metal guitar, no compromise. And it's 2004, and he was still in the game, making music his fans could relate to. That's a pretty good track record. By the way, to "dime" a guitar amp is to turn all the knobs up to 10, including (especially) the volume. So it wasn't *only* a drug reference. Rest in peace, Dime.

By: rushmc

rushmc — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 09:00:56 -0800

"Quit your whining about this egghead just because you liked his books, you cretin." (which would be the equivalent of what was said here), I imagine you'd be irked. Sure I would be, because it wouldn't be a very substantive contribution to the thread, but I wouldn't try to censor or shout down their response, or pressure them to feel something they didn't feel.

By: t r a c y

t r a c y — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 09:07:27 -0800

Actually, t r a c y, according to Darrell himself in the early 90s, it was always "Dimebag," and some record exec mislabeled it as "Diamond," and the name stuck. ahhh ok, thanks for the correction. (IANAFIJLWO)

By: danOstuporStar

danOstuporStar — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 13:13:22 -0800

first hand account and subsequent discussion at the yahoo group of a certain "sweet_cherry_kitty". warning: adult group and you have to join to read the messages...oh and a seriously garish color scheme.