Tommy Lee expresses his frustration regarding fellow musicians who continue to promote themselves online while the Southern California wildfires wreak havoc in the region. This sentiment highlights a growing concern among artists about the appropriateness of self-promotion during times of crisis.

In a passionate Instagram post, Tommy stated, “Makes me fucking sick to see most people just [carrying] on … posting on lame ass social media!” He added, “Guys right now nobody gives a flying fuck when your record drops or the next concert is when so many people are in the middle of one of the biggest disasters of all time! I get that some comic relief is always [needed] but Jesus Christ leave it all alone and maybe just stop and see who needs help if you can.” This strong message resonates with many who feel that empathy should take precedence over self-promotion.

As the music industry transitions into the new year, regular promotional activities have resumed, with a plethora of new albums and tour announcements flooding the scene each week. This resurgence has led to an increase in tour flyers and promotional content appearing across social media platforms. For individuals facing hardships due to the wildfires, witnessing others continue with business as usual can understandably evoke feelings of distress and frustration.

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Southern California Wildfires Result in Over 200,000 Mandatory Evacuations

The catastrophic Southern California wildfires ignited on January 7 in Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades area. The flames quickly spread throughout the city, fueled by the powerful Santa Ana winds coupled with exceptionally dry conditions. Tragically, the fires have claimed the lives of at least 25 individuals, obliterated over 12,000 structures, and compelled more than 200,000 residents in Los Angeles to evacuate their homes as of January 14.

Many musicians and music industry professionals based in L.A. have been severely impacted by the disaster, with notable figures like Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith and Primus guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde losing their residences. Producer Bob Clearmountain, known for his work with iconic artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, and the Rolling Stones, also suffered losses, including the destruction of his Mix This! home studio.

Clearmountain shared his perspective on the situation with the Los Angeles Times, stating, “I can’t really look back. I can’t spend too much time being bummed out about it. I’ve got to say, ‘OK, what can I do?’ I’m going to change the style of what I do. I’m gonna do what I do, but do it differently, and hopefully it’ll be good, maybe better than what I was doing. That’s all I can think right now.” His resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.

Essential Resources for Individuals Affected by Evacuations

Individuals in and around evacuation zones can access live updates about the wildfires through the app Watch Duty, which provides crucial information such as fire maps, alerts, smoke distance, flight trackers, evacuation orders, and available shelters. This invaluable resource is managed by a team of active and retired firefighters, dispatchers, and first responders who continuously monitor the situation in real time.

Additionally, CalFire has developed a comprehensive Go! Evacuation Guide designed for those preparing to evacuate. This guide offers essential pre-evacuation tips, power outage information, evacuation procedures, guidance for animal evacuation, and advice on what to do if you find yourself trapped. Being informed and prepared is crucial during such emergencies.

For those looking to assist, donations can be made to GlobalGiving’s California Wildlife Relief Fund, which helps provide food, fuel, clean water, and shelter for affected individuals and wildlife. Furthermore, MusiCares offers resources dedicated to supporting music industry workers who have been impacted by this natural disaster, ensuring that help is available to those in need.