Bash Helps Band Replace Equipment

Beggar’s Opera, a local hard-edged progressive rock band, always knew it had support from other bands.

So when the band had $30,000 worth of instruments and gear stolen from its van on April 24, it only seemed natural that friends would stage a benefit to raise money for the band.

Tonight at Outback Jack’s, five Spokane rock bands - Maha Reeb, Solomon Kane, Chain Reaction, Addict Salt and Mojo Danser - will play a benefit concert for Beggar’s Opera.

All five groups will donate their pay from the show to Beggar’s Opera to help the band pay for new equipment.

“Everyone in town has been real supportive,” said Beggar’s Opera keyboardist Steve Calvert. “It’s kind of nice that all the bands stick together in this town.”

The burglary occurred just hours after the band returned home from a gig in the Tri-Cities.

“They got everything but the drums,” said Calvert.

The thieves made off with amplifiers, processors, microphones, effects pedals, a keyboard and several guitars, one of which was a limitededition Fender Stratocaster.

None of the equipment was insured.

“We were in shock for the first couple of days,” Calvert said. “After that, it was pretty much anger.”

Two male suspects were arrested the day of the theft after forging one of Calvert’s checks at a Valley drivein restaurant.

At the time of their arrest, the suspects were in possession of two guitars and an amplifier which belonged to Beggar’s Opera.

Authorities recovered $2,000 to $3,000 worth of equipment, according to Spokane Police Detective Skip Pavlischak, who is investigating the case.

“I’m not sure if they (the suspects) know who has the stuff now,” the detective said. “I don’t believe they were involved with the actual theft. I think they just ended up with some of the items.”

Calvert, who has distributed an inventory list of the missing gear to every pawn shop and music store between Coeur d’Alene and the Tri-Cities, grows less and less hopeful of getting any more equipment back.

“It’s a real depressing loss because you don’t know what to do next, especially when you lose that much money,” Calvert said. “It kind of side-lined everything we had planned this summer.”

Another benefit concert is slated for June 4 at the Comet in Hillyard.

“They’re thinking about making that an all-day deal - having a barbecue and eight or nine bands play,” said the keyboardist.

Before heading to its benefit concert tonight, Beggar’s Opera, using borrowed equipment, will play the Comet. Mikey’s Revenge, who headlines that show, will donate its proceeds to Beggar’s Opera.

The benefit concert at Outback Jack’s starts at 9 p.m. The cover is only $3.

Tonight’s Comet show starts at 9:30 p.m. Cover is also $3.