Over the last few years, we’ve seen several touring groups have some of their gear (or their entire trailer) stolen from their van. Many bands have to spend much of their time on the road supporting a new release that they often bring most of their personal belongings with them in the van and, unfortunately, it seems that thieves are starting to catch on. Last night, Philadelphia’s Beach Slang had a window of their van busted out (pictured above) and most of their gear stolen after the final date of their fall tour in Austin, Texas.
This is the latest in a series of unfortunate events for the up-and-coming punk rockers, after the band almost imploded onstage in late April, their drummer JP Flexner left the band citing creative differences, and frontman James Alex had to fire guitarist Ruben Gallego over sexual assault allegations just before they were supposed to leave on their fall tour, forcing Alex to embark on the tour solo.
In a post to the band’s Facebook, Alex explained the incident in Austin, but ensured fans that they are all OK and excited to keep moving forward. Check out the full statement below and stream Beach Slang’s latest album A Loud Bash Of Teenage Feelings on Spotify.
This is a real bummer thing to have to post the morning after finishing one of the most beautiful Slang tours to date, but, last night in Austin, our van got broken into. We lost my white Epiphone 355 (S/N coming), my sunburst Epiphone Sheraton (S/N coming), my Epiphone acoustic (S/N coming), Ed’s white Fender bass (S/N A029394), our GPS, our brand new Yeti cooler (which we got just last night from our great friends Chad Gluckson & Bill Bayne), a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses, a Canon film camera, a pair of Bose noise-canceling headphones, and countless irreplaceable sentimental items that mean so much to us personally. If you hear or see our things around, please give us a shout.
2016, you can keep punching at us, but you’re not going to break us. We are starting our 24 hour drive back home to Philadelphia—positive and unflinching. Thanks for looking out for us. ❤️
