disturbed
15:48 Monday, 24 March 2025
Disturbed's pyrotechnics were allegedly a problem during their March 8 show at the United Center in Chicago, IL. According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, Disturbed's flames damaged the banners commemorating the Chicago Bulls' six NBA championships which will no longer be displayed for the rest of the season.
The report further notes that all six banners suffered "significant heat damage that warped their bottom halves." Further comment from the United Center communications department read: "United Center is currently working with the Bulls to explore options to repair these banners. While the banners will not be in place for the remainder of this season, we do anticipate them being back in place next season."
Except in a new interview with MetalUniverse.net, Disturbed drummer Mike Wengren denies the band had any role in damaging the banners. Wengren said the story got out of control thanks to one of the stagehands, and that there's no way Disturbed could've damaged the banners.
"First that's actually false, so one of the stagehands ran with the story and now it's turned into something… we didn't burn anything. If you think about the size of it, even if you watch the show tonight, you'll see how high it is. We have extensive pyro and the flames are very high but it gets tested every day. The fire marshals look at it signs of on it everybody looks before during the day. There's no way we could come even close to the banners.
"So it's bullshit. Its frustrating for us. Because on one hand, the fan perspective is wow their pyro is that incredible so got to see the show so maybe that's kind of cool but then the other hand is as we're continuing on this tour with the same show every building we go into is now nervous about us causing damage to their building. We're big sports fans especially myself, we were at the game last night.
"We would never be disrespectful to anyone's building. We hometown Chicago boys why would we desecrate our own team. Its ridiculous. Today for example, the marshals tested everything. But this building is actually very smart they have a system where you just have to press a button and the banners roll up. So there's a safe, but some of the buildings don't have that. It's fake news."
So we'll see if the United Center refutes these claims at any point.
