Pat and Phil's statements on Dime's death
DAMAGEPLAN Frontman Comments On DIMEBAG's Murder: Video Available - Dec. 28, 2004
DAMAGEPLAN frontman Patrick Lachman has spoken exclusively to Fuse "Uranium" host Juliya about the shooting incident earlier this month in Columbus, Ohio that left five people dead, including DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. In a brief interview conducted on the day (Dec. 14) of the public memorial service for Abbott in Arlington, Texas, Lachman said, "I want people to understand that the reason that we're all here is because of Dimebag - I mean, he brought us all together. But there were people that sacrificed everything, including their own fucking lives, to try and protect him, to try and protect us. Jeff Thompson - 'Mayhem,' as everyone knows him. He was our personal security, but more importantly, he was a good friend to all of us. And he even stated, 'I'd take a bullet for you.' The way he said it, it rolled off his back, like, 'I'd take a bullet for ya.' And he kept his word. He gave our fucking band everything we ever wanted, including his fucking life to save ours. It's pretty fucking amazing. He gave the ultimate sacrifice to take care of the people that he loved. He's part of the family.
"So many other heroic things happened that night.
"Our tour manager, Chris Paluska, tried to stop the guy that created this nightmare, took a bullet in the chest. Pretty fucking brave thing to do. I put him on the fucking stretcher myself. That was the only thing that I could do, you know.
"John Graham, a.k.a. Bushman, a.k.a. Pete High, saved Vinnie Paul's life, pushed him down to the floor, jumped on top of him like a goddamned CIA, fucking Secret Service agent. That's why Vinnie Paul's alive today. Thank you.
"John Brooks, a.k.a. The Kat, everybody knows. Best dude. Fucking saved so many lives. Took three fucking bullets and lived to fucking tell about it. Bad motherfucker.
"An innocent fucking person, a fan from the audience, tried to come up and help, took a bullet [and] died.
"A security guard that worked for the venue in Columbus took a bullet and died.
"These people should not be forgotten. It's not just about Dime. But Dime brought us all together, and he will always be remembered."
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PHILIP ANSELMO's Videotaped Statement About DIMEBAG's Murder Posted Online - Dec. 28, 2004
Former PANTERA frontman Philip Anselmo's videotaped statement about the murder of bandmate "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, with whom he had feuded in the press in recent years, has been uploaded at the web site of Fuse's "Uranium". A transcript of Anselmo's statement follows:
"People want my reaction to what happened.
"This is not about me. This is about Dimebag Darrell - purely Darrell. It's not about me or some motherfucking psycho that happened to destroy the most beautiful fucking person - one of my best friends in the world.
"It was the heavy metal goddamn media that destroyed PANTERA.
"This is about Darrell, my brother of 17 years, who... PANTERA's music changed people's lives, man. We weren't just some band. He was NOT just some guitar player.
"I wanna say... Bless his family and all of his close friends. And I never got a chance to say goodbye in the right way, and it kills me. And I'm so sorry. I wish to God I could have gone to his funeral, but I have to respect his family's wishes, and they do not want me there. I believe I belong there, but I understand completely.
"I'm so sorry to his bandmembers. I'm so sorry to the whole fucking world that loved Dimebag Darrell. Because let me tell you something: there was not one motherfucker like him.
"I'm so sorry to his family and everyone else who was just senselessly killed in Columbus, Ohio. It's a town I love. That's a town I've played a hundred times, goddamn it. I love that town. That's where Dimebag Darrell got killed.
"This is very unique for me, and that's all I know. Just bless his family, bless his friends. I love him like a brother loves a brother. Vinnie Paul, my other brother.
"I'm so sorry, I'm SO sorry to The Kat [John Brooks, DAMAGEPLAN's drum tech], who was shot twice. I would have taken a bullet for you, brother - mark my words. Because I love you. And I love ALL of you.
"What is this world coming to?
"This has changed the world. I hope you all realize that now. This has changed the entire world. And this is the last you'll be seeing of me for a long time. I hope you're happy, heavy metal music magazines, media - I hope you're happy."
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Concert Fundraiser Announced For Families Of Men Who Sacrificed Lives For DIMEBAG - Dec. 28, 2004
DreamWeaver Entertainment will be hosting a charity fundraiser tribute concert for the families of the victims who sacrificed their lives for the safety of DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. The concert will take place on January 22, 2005 at The Royal Grove in Lincoln, Nebraska. The start time has not yet been determined. Doors are approximately 4:00 p.m. through 1:00 a.m.
This Tribute Memorial Benefit Concert will raise funds for the families of the victims who sacrificed their own lives in an attempt to save "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. The donations collected will be split between the victims families (Nathan Bray's and Erin "Stoney" Halk's) who offered their lives to save Dimebag and the other half will go to the Dimebag Memorial Fund, which has been set up to cover the bereavement and medical expenses for DAMAGEPLAN personnel (John "Kat" Brooks, Chris Paliska and Jeffrey "Mayhem" Thompson), who are either still receving medical treatment or were also killed.
The events of the fundraising day will consist of 14 bands from the Midwest, including VOLUME DEALER (DAMAGEPLAN's support band at the Alrosa Villa) who will be coming in from Columbus, Ohio. In addition to the bands, the mother and wife of Nathan Bray, as well a large support group, will be arriving from the Columbus, Ohio area.
During the changeovers between performances, there will be interviews, a special auction with signed items from headliner bands and special service for a time for closure and unity amongst fellow bands and all attendees.
Admission is $8.00 per person.
If you wish to donate to the Dimebag Memorial Fund you may also send your donation to: The Dimebag Darrell Memorial Fund, 110 SW Thomas, Burleson, TX 76028.