Eagles of Death Metal, whose concert was attacked Friday in a wave of deadly violence in Paris, is a blues-influenced garage rock band with California roots that has collaborated with some of music's biggest stars.
Despite the name, Eagles of Death Metal in fact is not a death metal band but has worked with music A-listers including Jack Black and Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Nirvana fame.
The band's name, while frequently misunderstood, was initially chosen ironically as the artists -- longtime friends -- imagined a cross between hard-charging death rockers and the quintessential Americana band the Eagles.
Hailing from Palm Desert in southern California, Eagles of Death Metal has two consistent members -- lifelong friends Jesse Hughes, 43, and Josh Homme, 42.
The band's lyricism -- -- and shows -- are often known for lasciviousness, with the two men seeing themselves in the tradition of sex, drugs and rock and roll.
"I make dick-shaking, titty-wobbling, good-time, let's-get-down, what's-up-girl music," Hughes recently told the music site Consequence of Sound.
Homme, who also fronts another rock band, Queens of the Stone Age, is heavily tattooed and has spoken in the past of his ownership of guns.
In contrast with many successful musicians who try to steer clear of controversy, Homme is known for his political incorrectness that includes frequent profanity in public.
"One of my hobbies is being a smart ass, and I just like to mess with language," he told the live music site JamBase last year.
Eagles of Death Metal was touring Europe to support a new album, "Zipper Down," which was the first by the band in seven years.
Hughes had described the band's last album, "Heart On," with a mixture of military and romantic metaphors, calling it a "music missile" and a "sonic warhead sexually tipped for her pleasure."