Russian Circles Finally Gets Gear Back After 2021 Robbery Following California Drug Bust

It’s never a good feeling when some piece of shit decides to rob you of your shit. It’s probably even worse when the stolen items in question are linked to your livelihood. Back in 2021, Russian Circles was the victim of a major robbery during what was their biggest tour to date, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment getting stolen. We’re talking instruments, amps, mics, and a variety of other stage gear.

Well, flash forward almost three years later and the atmospheric metal outfit was made slightly whole again, as they were able to recover two guitars and a bass — not exactly everything, but the band sure sounds excited to get anything back at this point.

According to the band, the instruments were recovered “in a drug bust somewhere in California” and held as evidence. We don’t know what happened to the shitbirds that initially stole the stuff, but we hope they’re doing their time somewhere.

Following the return of some of their gear, Russian Circles offered the following statement via Instagram on the whole situation, which takes time to reflect on the kindness of strangers that popped up after the initial theft.

“As some of you may remember, Russian Circles were robbed back in October 2021 while we were on tour in California. In addition to the band and crew losing the majority of our equipment, we lost a bunch of personal items and a costly amount of rented and borrowed gear. We were hit with another potentially devastating loss when the tour was canceled after the next show due to the headlining band having a COVID case in their ranks.

“It was a difficult and unfortunate moment for the band, but the overwhelming kindness of the public helped restore our faith in humanity. Through the generosity of friends, fans, and gear companies, we were able to recover from the material and financial loss of losing everything in the immediate aftermath of the already difficult stretch of 2020 and 2021. Just in case it hasn’t said enough already, thank you so much to everyone that helped us get back on our feet.

“An enormous thank you is due to the everyone that shared the news and stolen gear list on social media. The news traveled quickly and broadly. Whether we were buying replacement cables at Guitar Center or ordering a pedal from a shop in the Midwest, if we mentioned the robbery, folks had heard about the incident and shared their condolences. It meant the world to us to know that people felt our pain and were on the lookout.

“The most devastating losses were the guitars. These were vintage guitars and custom shop builds that had been our primary instruments for years. They were both deeply personal tools and extremely difficult (if not impossible) items to replace.

“We are beyond thrilled to announce that we have been reunited with several of these instruments in recent months. The Electric Guitar Company bass would never have come back into our possession if not for folks spreading the news about the theft. A huge shoutout is due to Jon Abelton and his coworkers at Gottschalk Music Center for recognizing the bass when someone was trying to sell it to their store.

“Mike’s Gibson Les Paul and Brian’s First Act ‘bearitone’ were recovered in a drug bust somewhere in California. All three instruments had to be held as evidence. And even after they were cleared by the police, it took time to coordinate getting these guitars back into our hands. It’s been a long process, but we’re simply thrilled to be reunited with these guitars.

“It can be said enough: thank you to everyone for their help in this recovery. Whether you re-posted the gear list, sent a donation our way, picked up a shirt at the merch table, kept an eye out on craigslist, or even just shared your sympathies, it all meant a lot to us and helped us get back to business. Aside from some microphones recovered in a car chase and some pedals spotted in a pawn shop (which, by CA law, had to be purchased back), nothing else has turned up. But these guitars were easily the most cherished and/or irreplaceable items, and we can’t understate the joy felt in having them back. Thank you so much.”