The band plays on

Group to honour gig schedule despite theft of equipment  

AN UP and coming Lancaster band were rocked when thieves stole more than £4,000 worth of equipment from a van.

The Bottlenecks had to cut short their holidays and splash out on expensive new equipment after the theft a week ago, but have pledged to continue their schedule of gigs.

Paul Mayers say the group is determined to meet its commitments - including a fundraising gig next week for Our Lady's High School.

The theft at Salisbury Close, Lancaster, took place between 2am and 5am on Saturday, August 31.

'If anybody knows anybody who has bought any of this equipment, I would ask them to get in touch with the police.

'It's just sickening that somebody could do this. I would feel guilty about buying stolen gear because I know what it feels like.

 'The police and ourselves have been in contact with every music shop between here and Manchester, but we want anyone with information to get in touch.

' The group's latest single is selling well and the group has managed to sell 400 copies of its first album at gigs.

' An eight date national tour is planned for December, which will take the group to the South and Wales. 'We have been together for three years now and most of the stuff that we had stolen has been with us since then,' added Paul: 'A lot of it has been customised.

'We've bought the basic gear we need to do the gigs, but we've had to put that on a credit card, which- leaves us with a debt to pay off.

'Fortunately, they didn't take our instruments, but the equipment they have taken is stuff that we use whenever we are practising or playing live gigs.'

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Lancaster Police on 01524 63333.