Band free to play on

Warrnambool Standard 15th June 2005 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard  2005.  All rights reserved

A Warrnambool band member who had his equipment stolen likened the experience to the theft of a tradesman's tools. "Not only was the equipment expensive, but it was part of our livelihood" guitarist with The Extreme Sprinklers and The Front, Matt Neal, said yesterday. Black Samson speakers, a l0-channel powered mixer and a guitar amplifier stolen from a car parked outside Mr Neal's home in the early hours of June 4 were recovered from two Dennington properties on the weekend. Detective Senior Constable Marty Neagle said half the equipment was recovered on Friday after police executed a search warrant. The other equipment was recovered early Monday. A 16-year-old was charged with two counts of theft of a motor car, and one each of theft from a motor car, unlicensed driving and going equipped to steal. He will appear in court next month. Mr Neal said support from the Warrnambool community and other musicians had allowed the band to continue playing over the past few weeks.