Maximo Park Guitar Theft

Newcastle indie giants Maximo Park have been left shocked after the group had one of their guitars stolen after a hometown show.

Is nothing sacred? Yesterday (May 13th) news broke that a member of Pearl Jam has been assaulted, outside of their recording studio no less. Thieves made away with $3000 in cash, and left the musician nursing a nasty head wound.

Now it seems that Maximo Park have been the victims of an over zealous fan. The group retreated to Los Angeles last year to work on their third album, which is due for release soon. Titled 'Quicken The Heart' the record is amongst their most confident to date, with bowler hat clad singer Paul Smith's lyrics back to his bitingly acerbic best.

To read ClashMusic's view of the new Maximo Park album just click HERE!

The band were playing the first of two hometown shows when theft occurred. Maximo Park are much loved in their native Newcastle, with a recent free show ending in pandemonium as thousands were turned away from the makeshift venue.

Maximo Park played Newcastle Academy on May 13th, but just before the band emerged onstage guitarist Duncan Lloyd found that one of his prized instruments had been stolen. Purchased from Stella Barker of Belle Stars, the unique instrument was formerly played by Joe Strummer of The Clash.

The guitar is a 1079 brown and gold Gretsch Country Gent.

The group are obviously desperate to have the instrument returned, and in a statement said they would offer a substantial reward for its return. Any information supplied will be kept in the strictest of confidence, with the band asking that that those with knowledge of the guitar's whereabouts please email maximopark@warprecords.com.

Maximo Park can take heart from REM, who recently endured a similar situation. Guitarist Peter Buck had his beloved black and white Rickenbacker stolen after a show in Finland recently, but later had the instrument returned safely.

Maximo Park are set to perform at Newcastle Academy again tonight (May 14th) before heading to Glasgow Academy for another show.