Ohbijou's Gear Is Stolen In Montreal

11/09/09 1:44pm

by Jason MacNeil (CHARTattack)

Ohbijou had just started their national tour last week when the band fell victim to thieves in Montreal.

After playing at Montreal's Club Lambi on Thursday night (Nov. 5), the band realized they had some gear stolen. And clothing. And some personal letters. And a notebook.

"Unfortunately, before putting this wonderful night to bed, we realized our van had been broken into," Ohbijou's Jenny Mecija wrote Saturday on the band's blog. "My violin was stolen, along with Jamie's [Bunton, drums/trumpet] rack tom, and a bag full of Heather's [Kirby, bass/banjo] clothes. Man, what a way to end the night."

The band also had to replace the van's windows, which were smashed during the robbery.

"My heart still aches just a bit," Mecija added. "I was really attached to my violin, however, I know I can possibly find a new one. My beautiful case (a yellow Bobelock case) was a gift and it was the personal treasures that I had in there that can't be replaced. (I hope that when the thief came across my notebook and personal letters... their guilty conscious [sic] made their heart ache just a bit.)"

Ohbijou — who borrowed a violin from openers Silver Starling for some shows — continued their tour in Kingston, Ont. Friday night and played Ottawa on Saturday. The band's next gig is Tuesday night in Sudbury, Ont. as they tour behind their new album, Beacons.

The theft in Montreal follows a string of bands getting robbed in recent memory.  The Dears, Hedley, Black Halos, Comeback Kid, Ten Second Epic and Iggy Pop have all been victims of theft in the city.

Montreal, stop stealing people's gear. It's not very polite. Seriously.

Here are Ohbijou's tour dates:

Nov. 10 Sudbury, ON @ The Townehouse Tavern
Nov. 11 Sault Ste. Marie, ON @ LopLop's Lounge
Nov. 12 Thunder Bay, ON @ The Apollo
Nov. 13 Winnipeg, MB @ The Lo Pub & Gallery
Nov. 14 Saskatoon, SK @ Amigos Cantina w/ Slow Down Molasses
Nov. 16 Regina, SK @ The Exchange
Nov. 18 Calgary, AB @ The Marquee Room
Nov. 19 Edmonton, AB @ The Pawn Shop
Nov. 20 Kelowna, BC @ Habitat
Nov. 21 Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore Cabaret
Nov. 23 Canmore, AB @ The Communitea Café