Cops called on “suspicious” metal band parked at a Walmart
With America on edge after the mass shootings earlier this month, people are taking the idea of “see something, say something” to new levels.
A metal band called Torn the Fuck Apart pulled into a Walmart in Forest Hill, Illinois to pick up a few things. As the drummer shopped in the store, multiple people became nervous about the band in their van, believing they were “suspicious.” Were they preparing to shoot up the place? So the cops were called.
Who could blame them? There was the mass shooting at the Walmart in El Paso along with a number of other threats at various other Walmart outlets.
The band takes it from there.
“In the morning we had stopped and parked in the back of the Walmart parking lot in forest park, IL to stretch out and grab a few things after a night off of tour and enjoying the Chicago Domination Fest. We had been there for about an hour as our drummer was inside the store getting a few things, and about 15 mins after he went in we heard radio dispatch from behind the van and noticed a cop car pull up behind us. Just as quickly we saw three more pull up and surround us.
“After a few minutes of answering questions, the cop said that they were there because they had received multiple calls about a dark van with “suspicious characters ” in it. After all IDs were checked they knew that wasn’t the case. The cops were very professional and respectful to us after they realized we were no threat to anyone, and they even took pictures with us as though we were under arrest, and played along with us to tell our drummer we had warrants and were under arrest when he came back to the van.
“We don’t blame the cops for doing their jobs; they handled it well. But it was upsetting that we had been profiled for the way a “metalhead” looks. This isn’t something we haven’t encountered before and life goes on. Now we get ready for our last show of the tour Saturday at the Chicago Domination Fest.”
The police were good-natured about everything. Here’s the shot they staged when they pranked the poor drummer.
About the Author
Alan Cross is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 30+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.
