An Austin band on its way up, got a real downer just days away from its next tour.
The band Quiet Company had thousands of dollars worth of equipment stolen earlier this week. While many in the live music capital have stepped up and offered support, the band says it could still use more help.
Quiet Company has blown up over the last year, playing shows with bands like the Toadies, Rooney and Bob Schneider.
"It went from small bar gigs to these enormous venues and it's been absolutely mind blowing," said Matt Parmenter, the bass guitarist and background vocalist for Quiet Company.
Equally mind blowing was when band members found the doors to their equipment trailer wide open late Monday night. Five guitars and other equipment totaling about $6,000 had been stolen.
"I was really angry and at the same time I was just sick," said Parmenter.
Band members say they've been loading gear in and out of the trailer for more than a year at their North Austin apartment complex, so they suspect someone had been scoping them out.
"It just coincidentally happened that there was a one hour window where none of us were home, and that was the window that they chose to cut the lock off and take it in a pretty busy parking lot," said Parmenter.
"In my mind, the first thing was go rent something. But it always seemed like there were solutions and the solutions came to us so quickly that I really didn't have to worry," said Jeff Weathers, the drummer for Quiet Company.
Those solutions came courtesy of Austin's music loving community.
"Every other e-mail was, 'Hey, I've got a bass and guitar and amps and keyboards and anything you want to borrow for the tour you are welcome to it,'" said Parmenter. "We've managed within probably less than 10-hours of being stolen from to have enough gear to do the whole tour."
As they prep for their upcoming tour, band members say they're amazed at the support they have received so far.
"We don't feel like we are just kind of leaving Austin now to go out on the road. We feel like we are leaving with everybody with us," said Weathers.
When Quiet Company leaves for it's Chicago tour Friday morning, it will do so with all the equipment it needs. But everything that's been borrowed has to be returned.
Despite some donations, the group estimates it's still out about $45,000. If you are interested in donating to the band, you can check out their website.
