News

Johnny Foreigner Appeal For Stolen Mic To Be Returned

• 15th Oct 2009

Johnny Foreigner have released a message asking for the return of equipment stolen at their show at Leeds' Brudenell Social Club last night, as well as promising a free show in the city before the end of the year to compensate for a show hampered by technical problems at the venue.

During the set, while singer Alexei was crowd surfing and singing, a Shure sm58 microphone was wrenched from him as he sang and subsequently whisked away out of the venue by persons unknown. The mic was actually owned by Francis, the band's tour manager and soundman, and is of immense personal value to him, having been given it as a family gift.

The band's set in the packed out venue was also subject to a long delay due to a power shortage, and the band have promised to return to Leeds in December to play a free show. Details will be announced in the next week, but holders of tickets for last night's show have been told to hang on to them in order to gain priority entrance.

The band did ultimately manage to play a full set and, thankful for the audience's patience had this to say via singer and guitarist Alexei:

“Hi, yesterday was the most YAY!!!/NO!! off our most YAY!!/NO!! tour yet. Parking tickets and powercuts and our guitars/amps/shoes falling apart, that was a point at the end of the show where I was floating around on my back in the top of the audience with a big dumb smile realising that all this is probably worth it. And then someone robbed my microphone and sort of tarnished the evening. Im sick of whining musicians so I'll not dwell on us being another 100 quid down, but the sentimental value of that sm58 to the person who trustingly lent it to me isn't something we can replace by jacking up shirt prices or not eating for a couple of days. If you know our band, then you'll know which we'd sooner do, and the love in the room last night was proof to us that we're justified in skinting ourselves to do this band. I reckon some drunk kidlet took it in revenge for having to wait round while the venue fixed it's flux capacitor. well done, you really showed them. We're doing a free show in December, it'll probably be billed as an apology for last night but really we just love what we do, any excuse. If you bring us the severed head of the guy who robbed our mic, we'll give you our gin. We won't have much else to offer any more. Thx leeds, 99percent of you are wonderful xxx”

Anyone who can help with the return of the microphone, would they please email mail