’It’s not going to stop us.’ Fresno band regroups after theft of van, $20,000 in equipment
Twenty-twenty felt like it was going to be the year for Valkyrie Missile.
The band has earned its following in Fresno over the past decade and was looking to expand outside its hometown over the next year with more out-of-town gigs.
Or, that was the plan, until someone stole Valkyrie Missile’s van outside a hotel in Santa Ana this month. It was a Friday night and the group’s first show of the new year.
“We had an awesome time,” says Nathan Castaneda, the band’s singer/guitarist.
That is, until Saturday morning when they went to head home and discovered the van and a rented U-Haul trailer were gone.
“My heart dropped,” Castaneda says.
The band members spent nine hours waiting for police to take a report and then had to figure out a way to get everyone home.
The van and trailer were both later recovered, but not without significant damage and more hassle, including a trip back to Southern California.
The van had been involved in a hit-and-run crash that destroyed one of its wheels. It had also been stripped of wires, back and middle seats, the center console and license plates.
The trailer had been abandoned in an alley. It had been emptied of all the band’s equipment – drums, guitars and amps with an estimated worth of $20,000, Castaneda says.
The band had insurance through U-Haul, but the claim was denied.
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It’s a setback.
This week, Valkyrie Missile was supposed to kick off of a short tour. Instead, the band is doing just four shows, playing on equipment pieced together or borrowed from other bands.
“It’s not going to stop us from doing what we want do,” Castaneda says. “We’re just slowly trying to recoup.”
And Valkyrie Missile is asking for – and getting – some help.
On Friday, the band hosts a benefit concert at Full Circle Brewing Company with Reminitions, Hyacinth, Split Lip, Light of Mine and Days Under Authority.
The band’s GoFund Me campaign has already raised $6,000 of its $15,000 goal and earlier this month, drummer Sheila E. gifted Valkyrie Missile an entire drum set after hearing of the band’s misfortune.
The response has been overwhelming, Castaneda says, and means that the band will be able to continue.
“We’re not giving up – and that’s all that matters.”
Details: 5 p.m. Friday. Full Circle Brewing Company, 630 F. St. $10-$12. www.livemusiccity.com
Other upcoming events
▪ Stanley Jordan play Jimi. 8 p.m. Friday.Tower Theatre, 815 E. Olive Ave. $55-$69. 559-485-9050, www.towertheatrefresno.com
▪ Disney On Ice. 7 p.m. Jan. 30, 31, Feb. 1-3; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Feb. 1-2. Selland Arena, 700 M St. $10-$90. 559-445-8100, www.ticketmaster.com
▪ Caspian. 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3. Strummer’s, 833 E. Fern Ave. $15, all ages. 559-485-5356, www.strummersclub.com
▪ The Classic Crime. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4. Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero Ave. $18-$40. 559-412-7400, www.fulton55.com
▪ Jauz, the Dangerous Waters tour. 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6. Rainbow Ballroom, 1725 Broadway Ave. $40-$65. 18 + www.eventbrite.com
▪ Black History Month celebration at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. 10 a.m. 4011 Grant Dr., Earlimart. $10 per vehicle. 661-849-3433, www.parks.ca.gov
This story was originally published January 28, 2020 at 11:26 AM.