Austin Sound

1/8/07
Local thrashers Shrapnel recently had everything stolen from their trailer outside their apartment in North Austin. The group was set to play a New Year’s Eve show at Redrum, but on Sunday morning of 31st, they found that their trailer had been ripped off for over $15,000 in gear and merch. Fox 7 News reported on the incident last week, and word has been spreading around message boards, but apparently nothing has turned up yet.

Shrapnel was ripped off once before back in June of 2005 and was forced to pick up from scratch with the help of some benefit shows from friends at the Backroom. The group is offering a reward for info and you can contact them through their website or Myspace. Here is a full list of what was stolen with serial numbers:

10/18/06
Two Gallants finally spoke out about the incident in Houston this past weekend, dishing their side of the story to Pitchfork. Tyson Vogel and Adam Stephens claim that the officer was unprovoked in his actions, and that they had no real idea what was happening at the time. Given Jeff Tweedy’s reaction when a fan charged the stage at a recent Wilco gig, rockers gotta watch their backs these days, ya know?

Stephens also told Pitchfork that the group is planning legal action and they are encouraging all witnesses to document and share their accounts. Mainstream media, which Stephens appropriately notes were not there to witness the melee, have represented the event as a rock show that turned on the police officer, contrary to every first-person account that has been made.

10/16/06
At their Saturday night show at Emo’s, Langhorne Slim announced that the previous nights gig had erupted in chaos as cops stormed the club and attacked Two Gallants on the stage. Details are finally beginning to emerge, though still rather sketchy, as well as some photos and video of the incident.

Apparently, Houston PD officer G.M. Rodriguez responded to a noise complaint from a neighbor of the club Walter’s on Washington where the show was taking place. Rodriguez asked the manager that music be turned down and was complied with. But upon his leaving the bar, the music was reportedly turned back up and Rodriguez confronted the band on stage telling them to stop. Two Gallants’ Tyson Vogel and Adam Stephens, unaware of the problem asked why and Stephens either did, or did not, bump Rodriguez with his shoulder. And then all hell broke loose.

It appears some assholes broke into the Riverboat Gamblers’ trailer and made off with a bunch of gear. Sad to say this happened right here in the ATX. The Gamblers are also getting ready to head out on a national headlining tour, which makes the situation even worse. If anyone has any information, please contact them from the info below.

Here’s their post:
Riverboat Gamblers— Stolen Guitars Please REPOST (ATX)
From FADI/Riverboat Gamblers:

Our trailer got broken into last night (or the night before) and these fuckers took almost all of our guitars.

To anyone in Austin, I’m asking that you keep your eyes and ears open for any information on this. Here’s what we lost:

1976 Gibson Grabber Bass-black with huge Zorlac sticker on back.
Fender ‘72 Deluxe Telecaster - black-mexican made