RIP Dimebag
December 9, 2004 6:37 AM   Subscribe

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]
posted by Numenorian (133 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
.

*flicks lighter*
posted by jonmc at 6:40 AM on December 9, 2004


..
posted by dhoyt at 6:42 AM on December 9, 2004


..
posted by a3matrix at 6:51 AM on December 9, 2004


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)
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:53 AM on December 9, 2004 [1 favorite]


number one with a bullet?
posted by three blind mice at 7:00 AM on December 9, 2004


.

*listens to Cemetary Gates*
posted by sciurus at 7:01 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by Atom12 at 7:04 AM on December 9, 2004


Don't sweat it Atom12, he's probably a Modest Mouse fan.
posted by jonmc at 7:05 AM on December 9, 2004


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?
posted by bardic at 7:08 AM on December 9, 2004


Funny, JonMC, I'm a Modest Mouse fan yet I still think this is tragic. Can you make me a pigeonhole please?
posted by jon_kill at 7:22 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by jonmc at 7:24 AM on December 9, 2004


Ah.
posted by jon_kill at 7:27 AM on December 9, 2004


My thoughts exactly, Atom12. Get ready for the "Is Heavy Metal as dangerous as the rap music?" craze on the evening news.
posted by bondcliff at 7:32 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by kmartino at 7:32 AM on December 9, 2004


“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.

.
posted by Floydd at 7:38 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by Ufez Jones at 7:41 AM on December 9, 2004


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).
posted by 445supermag at 7:42 AM on December 9, 2004


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


.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 7:48 AM on December 9, 2004


well, i guess this is good news for people who.. oh, never mind.
posted by andrew cooke at 7:49 AM on December 9, 2004


Fucking Hostile

.
posted by TheDonF at 7:55 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by GeekAnimator at 7:56 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by sciurus at 8:01 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by three blind mice at 8:02 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 8:03 AM on December 9, 2004


three blind mice - I hope someone you admire dies in a needlessly violent fashion, so we can come in and piss all over it.
posted by jonmc at 8:06 AM on December 9, 2004 [1 favorite]


Classy, jonmc...
posted by rushmc at 8:10 AM on December 9, 2004


I hate the music of Pantera and Modest Mouse equally. Where's my pigeonhole?
posted by AlexReynolds at 8:11 AM on December 9, 2004


Vulgar Display shall be rocked for eight straight hours in my cubicle today
posted by poppo at 8:13 AM on December 9, 2004 [1 favorite]


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.
posted by three blind mice at 8:15 AM on December 9, 2004


\m/

RIP.
posted by Wolfdog at 8:15 AM on December 9, 2004


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

.
posted by gwint at 8:15 AM on December 9, 2004


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)
posted by Numenorian at 8:18 AM on December 9, 2004


If you can't be respectful, three blind mice, take off.
posted by jon_kill at 8:18 AM on December 9, 2004


3BM,

Please accept this gift of a guitar and a bus ticket to Ohio. Happy holidays.
posted by davelog at 8:20 AM on December 9, 2004


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...
posted by Numenorian at 8:21 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by jonmc at 8:24 AM on December 9, 2004


i ♥ jonmcfilter.
posted by jpoulos at 8:30 AM on December 9, 2004


.
posted by stet at 8:30 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by Grums at 8:31 AM on December 9, 2004


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?
posted by jonmc at 8:33 AM on December 9, 2004


"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.
posted by kmartino at 8:34 AM on December 9, 2004




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.
posted by Atom12 at 8:46 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by 445supermag at 8:50 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by Peter H at 8:50 AM on December 9, 2004


Check out the Pantera home videos- even if you don't care for the music- you'll like the band members. Funny, funny stuff.
posted by puddsharp at 8:51 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by jonmc at 8:57 AM on December 9, 2004


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
posted by pyramid termite at 9:03 AM on December 9, 2004


eu-lo-gy (n.) pl -gies 1: a commendatory formal statement or set oration 2: high praise syn see ENCOMIUM
posted by Peter H at 9:03 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by junkbox at 9:05 AM on December 9, 2004


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.

.
posted by greasy_skillet at 9:05 AM on December 9, 2004


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
posted by sciurus at 9:08 AM on December 9, 2004 [1 favorite]


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.

RIP.
posted by me3dia at 9:14 AM on December 9, 2004


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)
posted by Peter H at 9:22 AM on December 9, 2004


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...
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:24 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by terrapin at 9:31 AM on December 9, 2004


Not to mention "One"

Not a Pantera fan, but no artist should go like that.

.
posted by ChrisR at 9:41 AM on December 9, 2004


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!
posted by ChrisR at 9:42 AM on December 9, 2004


Just as long as everyone in A New Found Glory is okay.
posted by dong_resin at 9:46 AM on December 9, 2004


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]
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 9:48 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by jasonspaceman at 9:49 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by chicobangs at 9:49 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by rushmc at 9:51 AM on December 9, 2004


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)
posted by Peter H at 9:55 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by psmealey at 9:58 AM on December 9, 2004


What rushmc said.
posted by terrapin at 10:03 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by bobo123 at 10:03 AM on December 9, 2004


*rushes thread, shoots rushmc*
posted by quonsar at 10:03 AM on December 9, 2004 [1 favorite]


I mean, except when Quonsar does it. Because he's funny.
posted by psmealey at 10:11 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by sammy at 10:23 AM on December 9, 2004


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.



.
posted by eyeballkid at 10:29 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by t r a c y at 10:31 AM on December 9, 2004


\mm/

Dimebag, you were too much metal for one hand.

RIP.
posted by Sticherbeast at 10:36 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by somethingotherthan at 10:40 AM on December 9, 2004


Oh, and I suppose it goes without saying that we'll never know for sure, since the shooter was killed at the scene.
posted by somethingotherthan at 10:42 AM on December 9, 2004


OMG! What do people mean when they post just dots?
posted by adampsyche at 10:43 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by chaz at 10:45 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by afx114 at 10:51 AM on December 9, 2004


\m/

WWSBD?
posted by maggieb at 10:54 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by bobo123 at 11:03 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by baphomet at 11:05 AM on December 9, 2004


Didn't David Bowie have somebody come up on stage and fake a shooting in concert?
posted by destro at 11:13 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by jonmc at 11:14 AM on December 9, 2004


.
posted by kidhuevos at 11:27 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by DieHipsterDie at 11:28 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by Kiell at 11:29 AM on December 9, 2004


Wasn't Keith Relf of the Yardbirds electrocuted onstage?
posted by COBRA! at 11:34 AM on December 9, 2004


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
posted by Justin Case at 11:42 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by scottandrew at 11:49 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by 445supermag at 11:54 AM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by psmealey at 12:36 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by COBRA! at 12:46 PM on December 9, 2004


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 *
posted by TheDonF at 12:56 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by jpoulos at 12:59 PM on December 9, 2004


I can almost see the onion headline now:

Dimebag Smoked
posted by o0o0o at 1:02 PM on December 9, 2004


thank you, jpoulos.
posted by quonsar at 1:06 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by nearo at 1:09 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by psmealey at 1:11 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by JBennett at 1:28 PM on December 9, 2004


[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.
posted by Katemonkey at 1:44 PM on December 9, 2004


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?
posted by Devils Slide at 2:02 PM on December 9, 2004


And Modest Mouse are ok, but they sound too much like the Talking Heads (if David Byrne had a lisp).
posted by Devils Slide at 2:04 PM on December 9, 2004


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."

posted by gluechunk at 2:21 PM on December 9, 2004


.

(Why couldn't God take Yngwie?)
posted by Jimbob at 2:26 PM on December 9, 2004


Thanks for clearing that up gluechunk.
posted by Devils Slide at 2:35 PM on December 9, 2004


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

Wasn't that a lollipop?
posted by immer geradeaus at 2:42 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by rushmc at 3:07 PM on December 9, 2004


Damn it.

.
posted by FormlessOne at 3:38 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by cosmonik at 4:37 PM on December 9, 2004


No comment.
posted by iamck at 4:48 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by psmealey at 4:59 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by cosmonik at 5:11 PM on December 9, 2004


.
posted by First Post at 5:51 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by Dark Messiah at 6:52 PM on December 9, 2004


formerly of Grammy Award Winning band Pantera

I believe that Pantera was nominated for a Grammy, but did not actually win.
posted by bingo at 7:25 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by o0o0o at 7:39 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by Dark Messiah at 8:54 PM on December 9, 2004


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?
posted by o0o0o at 9:17 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by cosmonik at 9:22 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by cosmonik at 9:27 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by rushmc at 10:14 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by t r a c y at 10:24 PM on December 9, 2004


I'm sure you pay the same respect to Biggie and Tupac, right?

Yeah, by keeping the crass humour in my head. Your point?
posted by Dark Messiah at 10:30 PM on December 9, 2004


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...



.
posted by one.louder.ash! at 11:15 PM on December 9, 2004


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.
posted by jimjam at 12:43 AM on December 10, 2004


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?
posted by fullerine at 1:16 AM on December 10, 2004


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
posted by Onanist at 1:49 AM on December 10, 2004


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...
posted by black8 at 2:19 AM on December 10, 2004


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.
posted by Numenorian at 5:53 AM on December 10, 2004


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.
posted by jonmc at 6:59 AM on December 10, 2004


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.
posted by ikkyu2 at 8:30 AM on December 10, 2004


"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.
posted by rushmc at 9:00 AM on December 10, 2004


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)
posted by t r a c y at 9:07 AM on December 10, 2004


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.
posted by danOstuporStar at 1:13 PM on December 10, 2004


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