A North Shields band who have supported Sam Fender have spoken of their 'devastation' after losing £5,000 worth of guitars and equipment on their US tour.
Hector Gannet had flown out to the States on March 13 to promote their latest album 'The Land Belongs To Us' but disaster struck soon after landing on US soil. The band, who had flown to Austin in Texas to kick off a series of shows, discovered that their guitars - which are worth thousands of pounds - had not arrived.
And in a further blow, the band says that American Airlines have informed them that they do not know where the lost equipment is.
READ MORE: Gateshead clairvoyant who beat cancer on exposing cheating partners and mystery illnesses
Their USA promoter Jeff Smith has been left frantically searching for suitable replacements so the band can play their scheduled shows in Houston, San Antonio and Austin where the annual South by South West festival (SXSW) is taking place.
Frontman Aaron Duff, 27, said: "Our hearts sank when we realised the gear hadn't made it.
"We found the plane had landed without our three guitars, effects pedals, leads and accessories. With the flight cases, you’re looking at around five thousand pounds worth of gear.
"We've now had to hire guitars and purchase other pieces of equipment just to make sure we can still perform in some capacity. Our promoter Jeff Smith has been amazing and we’d be totally lost without him. "
Made up of drummer Jack Coe, 27, guitarist Martin Wann, 35, and bassist Joe Coady, 32, alongside singer Aaron, the tour is the band's second trip to the US in just 12 months. It follows the success of their tours with fellow North Shields native Sam Fender, with the band also lined up to play a number of shows in the UK in the coming months including The Cluny in Newcastle and The Sage in Gateshead.
But if the missing gear is not found before they return home on March 22, the band fears this could have an impact on their summer schedule.
"On top of the cost of flights and accommodation, it's turned out to be a very costly trip and we're really concerned [the equipment] disappeared for good," Aaron said.
"We have shows when we get back to the UK so if we don’t get things back it’ll be a nightmare."
READ NEXT:
- Meet the mum hoping to be crowned Ms Great Britain aged 43 after winning best dressed at Newcastle Ladies' Day in £19 dress
- Inside new Argentinian restaurant Gaucho serving the 'best steak in the world' as it gets set to open in Newcastle
- Look inside the stylish new tearoom in Newcastle city centre with secret cinema
- Inside Aveika as Newcastle Quayside restaurant loved by Harrison Ford undergoes glamorous £300,000 makeover
