Front Man for 'Hell on Earth' Takes Case to Bay Airwaves (Planned Assisted Suicide at Rock Concert)

Bay News9.com ^ | September 17, 2003 | Todd Clem

[acps]

The leader of the shock rock band 'Hell on Earth' took to the airwaves Wednesday to explain why someone would want to commit suicide during the groups concert at the State Theatre in St. Petersburg this month.

Billy Tourelot told 98 Rock that a terminally ill person in the Bay Area contacted him VIA email through the band's website.

He says the stunt is not to gain publicity for Hell on Earth. 'They would rather have an assisted suicide because the way the law is written, they cant do it, (now) Tourelot said in an interview Wednesday morning. So bringing dying with dignity to the forefront is what this is all about.'

Tourleot even read a suicide letter, alledgly written by the unnamed person.

'I have chosen this event on Saturday October 4 for my self deliverance to raise awareness of dying with dignity. I am of rational mind and do not hold Hell on Earth or the State Theatre liable for my actions.

[latrans]

Who wants to see some fool just close his eyes. Do it right!

[weegee]

One of the articles on this mentioned that he might use a plastic bag over the head. His parents will probably sue the bag manufacturer saying that the "Bag is not a toy" warning label is insufficient.

[latrans]

Dan Akroyd already did that routine on Saturday Night Live.

[ovrtaxt]

I worked a Gwar show about 10 years ago at Jannus Landing in St. Pete, just down the street from the State Theater. I was pretty impressed with the work ethic of those guys. They prepared for about 16 hours before the show, not their roadies, they did the work. (I worked with the sound/ lighting company.)

That was showmanship, but this is way beyond Gwar. This approaches the stuff that G.G. Allin did before he died.

[weegee]

The guys in GWAR are dedicated as I understand. I hear that the band is actually the guys in the costumes and that the musicians have changed a number of times.

The guys in the costumes are also cartoonists and are the ones who have drawn the GWAR comic books.

It only makes sense that they'd want to make sure that all of their staging and props are handled properly.

[windchime]

More info on Rita Cosby's show Saturday night. Councilman Bill Foster, St. Petersburg, is emphatically against the show taking place as planned by the band & suicide candidate.