***Update: According to the band’s MySpace page, police have recovered the van with all of their equipment. Yay!
Perhaps even more devastating than the theft of $40,000 worth of Phosphorescent’s gear is the fact that the crime occurred following their first show in a planned 6-week U.S. tour in support of their excellent new album, Here’s To Taking It Easy. In addition to frontman Matthew Houck’s irreplaceable 1955 Gibson ES-125, the band’s complete drum kit, bass rig, amps, effects pedals, rented van, and stock of merch to be sold at shows were stolen in Greenpoint, Brooklyn on Thursday night.
Phosphorescent and their label, Dead Oceans, are offering a $5k reward for the return of the gear, a $1k reward for tips leading to the return of the equipment, and a paypal account (phosphorescentgearfund@gmail.com) for donations. Meanwhile, tonight’s show is being rescheduled and the band are still set to play in Buffalo, NY on Monday night, so I’d suggest that any musicians with nice gear located near one of their upcoming shows might lend their instruments to Matt Houck and friends in the event that at least their tour could be salvaged. For more info and a complete list of stolen items, go here.