Having anything stolen from you is always guaranteed to ruin your day, but for a working musician who has poured everything they have into the gear they use to make a living, having it nicked is one of the most soul-crushing moments imaginable.
Some of these stories have relatively happy endings recently, such as Gold Coast artist Whisperer being robbed at a gig, only to track both the perpetrators and his instruments down within the hour.
Unfortunately, Central Coast band Elliot The Bull are the latest undeserving victims of instrument theft, returning from what should have been a relaxing time away to find their locked studio had been cleaned out – and with a huge tour in the works, it couldn’t have happened at a worse time.
“We just returned from holidays to find that our studio on the central coast NSW had been robbed,” the band tell us. “This is extremely disheartening for us… We have just finished recording our latest record and are in the process of planning a tour.
“As many of you will know, music is our livelihood and we have slowly built up our gear collection over the years spending every spare cent on musical equipment. Fortunately not everything was taken, however, we are now quite startled by this event.”
The band have appealed for everyone to keep an eye out for any of the stolen gear, some of which is thankfully quite distinctive.
“It would mean the world to us if you could share this amongst friends and keep an eye out for any of this musical gear.”
- Fender American Telecaster Deluxe guitar (Large crack down the back of the neck)
- Epiphone EJ200CE acoustic guitar (black)
- Epiphone “Tom Delonge” Signature ES-333 Semi-Hollowbody Guitar (Spray painted black)
- Strymon Mobius guitar pedal
- Yamaha STAGEPAS 300 all in one PA system (Only took 1 of the two speakers)
- Fender Stratocaster copy with black scratch plate
As always in these situations, friends and the broader music community are pitching in to help. One of the band’s best mates Marty Pannan has started a crowd-funding campaign to get them back on track, and it has so far raised just under half of its goal within a week, with another $2500 to go.
“These guys have spent every spare cent they have earned on acquiring musical equipment over the last 10 years,” he tells potential backers. “They live and breathe music and it is heartbreaking to see these things taken from them.
“Everyone knows how difficult it can be to be an independent artist these days, let alone one that has their instruments stolen. I know how good it would make me feel to see these guys back on their feet and I know that they will be forever grateful for any help no matter how small!”
“Hope u boys get some sweet sounding new tools and see u all back on the job site real soon,” one donator adds, understanding that it’s more than just instruments that have been taken – it’s the band’s livelihood.
If you’re a bit strapped for cash but would still like to throw your support behind Elliot The Bull, they’ve been invited onto the bill of a free show with King Of The North and Ivy this Saturday August 27 at NSW’s Long Jetty Hotel as they launch their new records. Understandably, the boys have been billed as ‘Elliot The Bull Unplugged’.
For four guys who’ve had a pretty disheartening week, I’m sure they’ll appreciate all the support they can get in the coming days.
