Disturbed drummer Mike Wengren addressed claims about the band’s pyrotechnics damaging Chicago Bulls’ championship banners during an interview with MetalUniverse.net.
“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,” Wengren stated firmly.
“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,” he explained.
“The fire marshals look at it… Everybody looks [at it] before [the concert] during the day. There’s no way we could come even close to the banners. So it’s bullsh*t,” Wengren concluded.
Rumors had circulated following Disturbed’s recent Chicago concert about their pyrotechnic display allegedly damaging the venue’s NBA championship banners.
The incident carries special weight for Wengren due to his Chicago roots. Documentation from biographical sources revealed that Wengren grew up in Chicago and completed his education at Curie High School on the city’s Southwest side. This background makes him particularly attentive to claims involving damage to the city’s iconic sporting venues.
Wengren has built a reputation for precision throughout his career with Disturbed. Music Radar highlighted his detailed approach to both musical performance and stage production elements.
The band’s ongoing tour celebrates the 25th anniversary of their debut album ‘The Sickness.’ Their current stage setup features their most ambitious production elements to date. The extensive pyrotechnics undergo thorough safety checks before each show.
These safety protocols reflect industry standards. Each performance requires multiple inspection levels from venue management, fire safety officials, and professional pyrotechnicians.
