Usually, when a band get robbed on the road, it involves their van or gear getting stolen. Metal outfit the Ocean, however, fell victim to a far more devious trick: while on the road in Spain, highway robbers conned the group out of 6,000 euros (about $8,500 Canadian).
According to a press release, the incident took place last Wednesday (October 20), when two men in a black BMW posed as police officers and pulled the group over to the side of the road. They asked the metalheads to declare their cash – not an uncommon request while crossing borders in Europe. When the band produced their merch wallet to one of the alleged officers, the thief snatched it and ran back to the car, which immediately sped off.
In a statement, the rockers said, "Unfortunately our van and trailer don't match the speed of a BMW, but fortunately it's not allowed to carry guns in Europe, as otherwise we would be in jail now for shooting the guy in the face."
The Ocean are currently on tour supporting the Dillinger Escape Plan, and next month will open for Anathema. They are asking for their fans support to help them complete the scheduled dates.
To chip in, you can order a copy of new album Anthropocentric and donate an extra 5 euros ($7.15 Canadian) to the band. If you help out, you'll get a copy of the police report, plus a signed thank you card for your generosity.
See the dates below. And if you're in a band, be careful of those sneaky thieves on the road.
Tour dates:
10/26 Lille, France - L'Aeronef *#
10/27 Southampton, UK - University Garden Court *
10/28 Birmingham, UK - O2 Academy 2 *
10/29 Glasgow, UK - Garage *
10/30 Manchester, UK - Club Academy *
11/1 Nottingham, UK - Rescue Rooms *
11/2 Bistol, UK - 02 Academy *
11/3 Norwich, UK - Waterfront *
11/4 Brighton, UK - Waterfront *
11/5 London, UK - Electric Ballroom *
11/6 Leeds, UK - Damnation Festival *
11/9 Vevey, Switzerland - Rocking Chair ^
11/10 Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7 ^
11/11 Bologna, Italy - Estragon ^
11/12 Rome, Italy - Alpheus ^
11/13 Treviso, Italy - New Age ^
11/14 Milan, Italy - Magazzini Generali ^
11/15 Zagreb, Croatia - Boogaloo Club ^
11/16 Graz, Austria - Listhalle ^
11/17 Vienna, Austria - Viper Room ^
11/18 Budapest, Hungary - Diesel Club ^
11/21 Belgrade, Serbia - Akademija
11/22 Bratislava, Slovakia - Randall ^
11/23 Prague, Czech Republic - Rock Café ^
* with Dillinger Escape Plan
# with Cancer Bats
^ with Anathema
According to a press release, the incident took place last Wednesday (October 20), when two men in a black BMW posed as police officers and pulled the group over to the side of the road. They asked the metalheads to declare their cash – not an uncommon request while crossing borders in Europe. When the band produced their merch wallet to one of the alleged officers, the thief snatched it and ran back to the car, which immediately sped off.
In a statement, the rockers said, "Unfortunately our van and trailer don't match the speed of a BMW, but fortunately it's not allowed to carry guns in Europe, as otherwise we would be in jail now for shooting the guy in the face."
The Ocean are currently on tour supporting the Dillinger Escape Plan, and next month will open for Anathema. They are asking for their fans support to help them complete the scheduled dates.
To chip in, you can order a copy of new album Anthropocentric and donate an extra 5 euros ($7.15 Canadian) to the band. If you help out, you'll get a copy of the police report, plus a signed thank you card for your generosity.
See the dates below. And if you're in a band, be careful of those sneaky thieves on the road.
Tour dates:
10/26 Lille, France - L'Aeronef *#
10/27 Southampton, UK - University Garden Court *
10/28 Birmingham, UK - O2 Academy 2 *
10/29 Glasgow, UK - Garage *
10/30 Manchester, UK - Club Academy *
11/1 Nottingham, UK - Rescue Rooms *
11/2 Bistol, UK - 02 Academy *
11/3 Norwich, UK - Waterfront *
11/4 Brighton, UK - Waterfront *
11/5 London, UK - Electric Ballroom *
11/6 Leeds, UK - Damnation Festival *
11/9 Vevey, Switzerland - Rocking Chair ^
11/10 Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7 ^
11/11 Bologna, Italy - Estragon ^
11/12 Rome, Italy - Alpheus ^
11/13 Treviso, Italy - New Age ^
11/14 Milan, Italy - Magazzini Generali ^
11/15 Zagreb, Croatia - Boogaloo Club ^
11/16 Graz, Austria - Listhalle ^
11/17 Vienna, Austria - Viper Room ^
11/18 Budapest, Hungary - Diesel Club ^
11/21 Belgrade, Serbia - Akademija
11/22 Bratislava, Slovakia - Randall ^
11/23 Prague, Czech Republic - Rock Café ^
* with Dillinger Escape Plan
# with Cancer Bats
^ with Anathema