Houston musicians step in after Atlanta-based band has equipment stolen in Fort Worth

HOUSTON - There's a popular saying that "it's all fun and games until the cops come out," but for Nicholas Niespodziani and his band, Yacht Rock Revue, the fun was over way before they had to call 911. 

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During the last weekend of April, he and his rock band were performing with legendary guitarist and singer Kenny Loggins in Fort Worth, Texas and the show went great, Niespodziani tells me in an interview. However, the fun and excitement were cut short after their trailer containing thousands of dollars worth of instruments was stolen outside their hotel overnight.

"We come off the stage, and we're just buzzing; everybody's loving life," he said. "And then, you know, we go to our hotel, and I wake up this morning, the next morning to like 15 texts in a thread about our trailer being stolen."

"I was just like, ‘is this a joke? Is somebody like just trying to make light of this after, you know, such an epic night?’ and it turns out, no," Niespodziani continued. "One of the guys in our crew went downstairs at like six in the morning and was having his coffee and looked out and saw the trailer was missing off of the van. And you know, it was parked right out in front of the hotel where you could see it, it was crazy."

As common as instruments getting stolen, Niespodziani and his bandmates took necessary precautions to ensure their belongings were properly stored and protected, but it was to no avail. 

"These guys were super professional who did it," he explained. "I don't think it was their first time stealing a trailer like… we had several mechanisms in place, they were able to like cut the locks off of the trailer hitch, slipped the transmission in the van, tow the van forward like 15 feet so that you get whatever they had in there to hook up the trailer to their hitch and took off from there."

There were even AirTags placed inside the instruments' cases but were removed and thrown away. 

"They had some kind of detector for AirTags because we had a few cases that had AirTags in them, and they were able to figure out which cases had air tags and ditch those at a different location," Niespodziani added. "We found our saxophone player's sax in the middle of the street in this neighborhood in Fort Worth, where they had like, emptied it out. There was literally a saxophone in the street and then the AirTag next to it like - it was very advanced. I didn't even know you can do that kind of thing."

All in all, Niespodziani estimates $150,000 worth of instruments and the trailer were taken. However, the stolen item's sentimental estimates are priceless. 

"It's a lot more than just the dollars of it," Niespodziani noted. 

"There are guitar straps that my dad hand-beaded for me on all of my guitars," he continued. "There was a custom guitar that our guitar player Monkey Boy had just had, he had waited six months to be able to order it from the custom shop with all the specifications that he wanted - exactly like he wanted it and all the digital stuff, there are all these presets that we created, that we're not going to be able to have to recreate on the next set of gear."

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Adding even more stress to the Atlanta-based band, the same day their instruments were stolen, they were scheduled to perform in Houston, Texas. 

"We were playing a concert in Houston, that was a fundraiser for a cancer research charity," Niespodziani explained. "And we're looking at the schedule, like ‘how do we make this show still happen?’ You know, we don't want to disappoint all these people and be a drag on the charity." 

Fortunately, the band made a new friend out of strangers through Paul Beebe of Disco Expressions in Houston. 

"I got a phone call from a number I didn't recognize, so I didn't answer, but then I got a text; It was from one of the road managers for [Yacht Rock Revue]," he said. "They were trying to scramble to get gear and get down to Houston and everything to play this gala, and so we said we'd be happy to help because that's a rough situation to be in."

"They say, you know, ‘not only can you use our stuff, but we have a studio, and we have all of this gear that you can use if you need,’ and just anything we needed," Niespodziani added. "They were immediately there for us, which was super cool."

Beebe noted how common it is for instruments to be stolen from musicians due to how hard they are to recover and lucrative a crime it is for thieves. 

"The equipment is hard to trace; there's lots of gear out there and if it can be sold easily on the market, it's expensive," he explained. "Guitars can cost thousands of dollars and amplifiers can be thousands of dollars. It's easy to sell it to a pawn shop or online or wherever; it's very easy to shop it around, and it's worth a lot of money."

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There are some steps musicians can take, however, to try and prevent instrument theft or at least get them recovered. 

"Make sure you get your serial numbers on all your gear, especially guitars, they all have serial numbers on them," Bebee advised. "And you can report those serial numbers. And sometimes you get stuff back, because of that. 

"I have a friend who had a guitar stolen out of his car here in Houston, and he reported it to the police, and it showed up in a pawn shop, and he got it back," he continued. "So you can get it back, but if you don't have any sort of way to identify your gear other than ‘it’s a fender strat,' then you're gonna be out of luck." 

Regardless, Niespodziani and the rest of YRR are patiently letting the Fort Worth PD continue their investigation. Meanwhile, they are continuing their shows, and taking alternative measures to give fans a wonderful experience; demonstrating true artistry through improvising. 

"We're lucky in that we're not just an indie rock band, right?" he said. "Like if this would have happened to us 10 years ago when we were still getting our feet under us, it would have been a crushing blow. But we're, we're lucky in that we've gotten to a point where we can take a hit like this and still be able to play all our shows." 

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For this reason, Beebe also noted the importance of supporting local artists and live music. 

"It's a special thing," he said. "You can watch TV anytime, you can't see a band every time." 

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Niespodzian echoed similar statements adding while has been encouraged to start a GoFundMe or find a way to raise money and recover from their tragedy, he is just hoping more people will come to see them do what they love. 

"I would say if you want to support us just come to our concerts we're playing some shows with Kenny [Loggins] in Austin, and in Houston later this Fall, or Summer, maybe, and then we're doing a headlining show ourselves in San Antonio," he concluded. "Just get some tickets to our shows, and if you see any really nice guitars on Craigslist, that don't look like they should be there (laughs)."

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The band has posted a full list of the nearly 250 items stolen in their comments page in a Facebook post, which are also listed below: 

1. 2002 Gibson ES 333 w/ James Tyler Pickups
2. 65 Amps 2x12 Cabinet
3. Kemper Stage Profiler
4. Kemper powered Profiling Amp
5. Line 6 G10s Wireless System 1 Custom Tuki Cabinet Cover
6. Custom Tuki Amp Cover
7. Custom Amp Cabinet
8. Horizon Ethercon 25’ Cable
9. Don Grosh Retro Classic Aged Lake Placid Blue w/Barden Pickups & Case
10. Gibson 1976 Black Greco EGC-1000 Les Paul with case
11. 1989 Ernie Ball Music Man Silhouette Honey Burst Finish
12. 2020 Ernie Ball Stingray 6 String Electric
13. Kemper Foot Controller
14. Kemper powered Profiling Amp
15. TC Electronics Bonafide Buffer
16. SKB iSeries Equipment Box
17. SKB 3i-2015-7KPS
18. Don Grosh ElectraJet
19. Thon Line 6 FBV Pedal Board
20. 4 Monster Cables
21. (2) Mission Engineering EP1KP Expression Pedal
22. Voodoo Labs Wahzoo Pedal
23. Ernie Ball VPJR pedal
24. Custom Vintage V6 Icon w/Zexcoil Tribucker HSS Pickups
25. Ernie Ball VPJR pedal
26. Afuche Cabasa
27. Remo Vintage Emperor Tom Drumhead Pack (Coated) 12, 13, and 16 in. Coated 6 2-Pack Remo Emperor Coated Drumhead - 14 inch Value Bundle
28. 2-Pack Remo Ambassador Hazy Snare-side Drumhead - 14 inch Value Bundle
29. Aquarian Super Kick II Clear Bass Drum Head (22")
30. Remo Ambassador 22" Resonant head clear
31. Yamaha YFL 661 flute
32. Yamaha YPC-32 piccolo
33. Yamaha YAS-62 alto saxophone
34. (2) Retro Revival alto saxophone mouthpieces
35. Yamaha YTS-875 tenor saxophone
36. (2) Guardala studio mouthpiece (laser trimmed)
37. (2) Shure Beta 98 H/C microphones
38. (2) Shure BLX1 Wireless Transmitter H10 frequency band 7 Shure BLX4R Wireless Receiver
39. Shure BLX4R Wireless Receiver
40. Line 6 M9 effects pedal
41. Line 6 M9 effects pedal
42. Battle Cases BCS 200
43. Pelican Air 1615 cases for Tenor Sax with custom foam
44. Pelican Air 1615 cases for Alto and EWI with custom foam 7 (2) Hercules sax stands with peg
45. Akai EWI4000s electronic wind instrument
46. Macbook Pro 15 inch laptop with power supply
47. Midisport 2x2 midi/USB interface
48. Midisport 2x2 midi/USB interface
49. Tech 21 Midi Mouse pedal
50. (2) Middle Atlantic steel rack shelves
51. SKB Studio Flyer 4U rack/case
52. Nord Electro 6D 73 keyboard
53. Roland Fantom X6 keyboard
54. SKB ATA 76 Note keyboard case
55. SKB ATA 61 Note Keyboard Case for Roland Fantom X6 7 (2) Yamaha FC4 Sustain Pedals
56. (2) M-Audio EX-P Expression Pedals
57. (2) QuikLok QL7422 2 Tier Keyboard Stand
58. SKB 2317-14 case
59. Mackie 802vlz3 Mixer
60. DW 3000 Series Drum Throne
61. SKB 2217-10 case
62. LP Aspire Wood Bongos
63. LP A245 Bongo Stand
64. SKB 4816-w Case
65. Meinl Headliner Stand
66. Meinl Medium Afuche Cabasa
67. Meinl Louis Conte Grey Shaker
68. LP 150 Cyclops Tambourine
69. LP Egg Shaker
70. Gilbraltar SC-Sat 12’ x 12" LP Percussion Tray
71. Gator GP-66 Protechtor double pedal bag (padded)QQ
72. ProCo Sign Off Latching Mute Switch
73. Roland BT-1 Bar Trigger
74. Mackie 1402-VLZ4
75. Proline PL400 Single X-Braced Keyboard Stand
76. Proline PL400 Double X-Braced Keyboard Stand
77. (2) M-Audio EX-P Expression Pedals
78. (2) Yamaha FC4 Sustain Pedals
79. QuikLok QL7422 2 Tier Keyboard Stand
80. Roland RT 30 Kick Trigger
81. Roland RT 30 HR Dual Trigger
82. Roland RCC-10-TR28v2 Cable
83. Boss FS-6 Dual Switch Pedal
84. Roland SPD-SX Drum Pad W/ PDS-10 Pad Stand F7H9705
85. Plastic Molded Case for Drum Pad
86. Circa 1970s Ludwig Vistalite 14" x 22" in red
87. Circa 1970s Ludwig LM400
88. Pearl Brass 5' x 14'
89. Circa 1970s Ludwig Vistalite 8' x 12" in red
90. Circa 1970s Ludwig Vistalite 9" x 13" in red
91. Circa 1970s Ludwig Vistalite 16" x 16" in red
92. 1 Gibraltar 9706 Snare Stand
93. 2 Gibraltar 9710-TP Straight Stand
94. 2 Gibraltar 9709TP Boom Stand
95. 1 Gibraltar 9707ML-DPBoom Stand Moveable Leg Hi Hat Stand
96. Avedis Zildjian 14" Quick Beat Hi Hats
97. Zildjian K Custom Session Crash 16"
98. Zildjian K Custom Session Crash 18"
99. Avedis Zildjian 10" Splash
100. Zildjian K Custom Hybrid China 19"
101. Zildjian 20" K Ride
102. DW DWCP9002 9000 Series Double Bass Drum Pedal
103. Evans E-Rings Standard Pack (12", 13", 14", 16")
104. Big Fat Snare Drum Auto-Tone Snare Drum Topper - 14"
105. Big Fat Snare Drum Green Monster Snare Topper - 14" - Heavy Ply
106. 5 Yamaha MX49 Synth Controller
107. SKB 3i-3614-TKBD iSeries Rolling Waterproof 49-key Keyboard Case
108. (3) USB Thumb Drives
109. Gorilla Ears 3-Driver IEMs
110. Tama 1st Chair Ergo-Rider Drum Throne - HT730B
111. SKB Roto-X Molded Drum Case 22 x 18 in
112. SKB Roto-X Molded Drum Case 14 x 5.5 in.(2)
113. SKB Roto-X Molded Drum Case 12 x 8 in.
114. SKB Roto-X Molded Drum Case 13 x 9 in.
115. SKB Roto-X Molded Drum Case 16 X 16 in.
116. SKB Roto-Molded 22" Cymbal Vault With Handle & Wheels
117. SKB Roto-Molded Mid-sized Drum Hardware Case With Handle & Wheels
118. Latin Percussion Mountable Salsa Timbale Cowbell, ES-5
119. Meinl MC-BD Bass Drum Cowbell Holder/Mount
120. Meinl Designer Stick Bag Black - MSB-1
121. Vic Firth American Classic 5B Wood Tip (6 Pair)
122. Kemper Stage Case .
123. Expression Pedal
124. Expression Pedal Black
125. 6-string Acoustic Guitar Guitar Case
126. Guitar Case
127. Replacement Value
128. SKB Telecaster Flight Case
129. (2) Custom Keyboard Stands with Tolex
130. Road Case for Deville
131. Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner Pedal
132. Greer Amps Southland Harmonic Overdrive 3 (4) Monster guitar cable, '21
133. Lava Retro Coil guitar cable '20
134. PEDAL POWER 2 POWER SUPPLY
135. AMPEG PF 410HLF
136. Electro-Harmonix Bass Micro Synth Pedal and power supply.
137. 1975 Fender Precision (Walnut Brown) 628540
138. 1988 Fender Squire Jazz (black) E 805555
139. 1997 EB MUSIC MAN STINGRAY EX BASS NATURAL W/CASE
140. 1993 FENDER JAZZ BASS JB-75 MIJ SUNBURST/MAPLE W/CASE P012275
141. LINE 6 Relay GS10II WIRELESS SYSTEM
142. 1976 TAKAMINE EF-400S 12 STRING ACOUSTIC W/CASE
143. Sennheiser EW100-G4-CiI-A WIRELESS SYSTEM
144. Sennheiser EW100-G4-CiI-A WIRELESS SYSTEM Transmitter
145. GATOR GPT PEDAL TOTE W/POWER SUPPLY
146. (2) LEVY’S WIRELESS PACK STRAP POUCH
147. MOGAMI GOLD BPSE TS-24R Cable for G4 wireless pack
148. MOGAMI 2552 4" TRS EXPRESSION CABLE
149. EMBER ENDEAVORS AUX EXT FOOTSWITCH W/LIGHTS
150. LINE 6 STOMP HX MULTI EFFECTS PEDAL
151. LASKO Fan Model 4914
152. Mogami Gold guitar cable '18
153. Monster bass cable, '12.
154. Monster Performer 500 speaker cable '3 (X2).
155. Radial Pro Di passive di.
156. Ampeg Portaflex PF800 Bass Amp PF800CPHR0061
157. Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Bass Compressor Serial No 107
158. 1986 Yamaha BB1600 Bass (black/gold) NH09019
159. 1989 Yamaha BB5000A 5 string Bass (black/gold) PH01149
160. RADIAL PRO DI PASSIVE DI
161. ELECTRO HARMONIX MASS MICRO SYNTH PEDAL AND PS
162. Dunlop/MXR Bass Envelope Filter
163. 2008 AMERICAN STANDARD PRECISION BASS BLACK/BLACK/MAPLE Z8063070
164. Dunlop/MXR Bass Octave Deluxe
165. 10 3"- 1’ PATCH CABLES
166. 2 X 25" MOGAMI GOLD INPUT CABLES
167. ORIGIN EFFECTS CALI-76 CB BASS LIMITING PEDAL
168. 1 X 25" LAVA RETRO COIL GOLD INPUT CABLE
169. TC Electronics Poly Tune
170. (2) One Spot power supply x2
171. Pelican 1650
172. QSC K12 Powered Monitor
173. Road case by Georgia Case for QSC K12 Powered Monitor
174. Roland Fantom G6
175. Tama 1st Chair Piano Seat
176. SKB keyboard case Roland Fantom
177. SKB keyboard case for Nord 5D
178. Nord Electro 5D 73 key
179. Drum Throne
180. Nord Electro 6D 73 keys EP18094
181. (2) 1/4" Cables
182. (1) Furman Power Strip
183. iPad Air FTEL2LL/A F8QZN0BRK7M9 GGJ 12.9 3RD Generation
184. iPad Air MUUJ2LL/A DMPY30VSLMPD NACK 12.9 3RD Generation
185. (2) Hosa 1/8 to dual xlr adapter cables HMX-010y
186. Roland SPD ONE Kick
187. (6) Stanley Floor Fans 655704 with Storage Containers
188. Apple iPad Pro LTE+Wifi 12.9"
189. Apple iPad Pro Smaart Keyboard
190. cowbell
191. Helix HX Stomp
192. Helix Channel Swticher
193. LP Maracas (2)
194. Meinl bongos
195. Meinl Bongo Stand
196. Meinl Bongo Soft Case
197. Mienl Percussion Tray with Stand
198. Custom Guitar Strap
199. G7 Guitar Capo
200. Keyser Capo
201. Stanley Tool Box
202. SKB Hardware Box
203. One Spot Power Supply
204. Pedaltrain Nano Pedal Board and Hard case
205. SKB iSeries Equipment Box
206. Percussion Toolbox
207. Shaker
208. Shaker
209. Shaker
210. Takamine EF-385 acoustic electric 12 string
211. Gator Deluxe ABS Molded Case - Jumbo Acoustic Guitar 2 Tamborine (2)
212. tambourine, toolkit, kazoos
213. SKB Drum Hardware Case With Wheels - 42" x 16"
214. (7) Hercules Guitar Stands
215. (2) 15’ white coils lava cable
216. 2-3' Monster Cable
217. Boss TU3 Tuner
218. Whirlwind A/B Switch
219. (2) Radial ProDI Direct Boxes
220. 20' blue lava cable
221. Fender Junior Tweed Amp w/ Case
222. Vintage Guitar Jazz Master V65 Icon
223. Gretch 8215
224. Volt 476 Interface
225. SKB Box for Guitar Pedals
226. Nash Telecaster w/ Case
227. Moog Sub Phatty
228. Moog Case
229. USB-C Cable
230. Midi Cable
231. Burns 12 String Electric Guitar
232. Apple iPad Pro LTE+Wifi 12.9"
233. Apple iPad Pro Smaart Keyboard
234. 2017 MacBook Pro 3.1GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB, 512 SSD
235. Flight Case for Burns Electric Guitar
236. (2) LTGEM Travel Hard Carrying Case for Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII & MPK Mini Play 3 (2) Samsung T3 Portable SSD - 500GB - USB 3.1 External SSD (MU-PT500B/AM)
237. 10 George-L patch cables
238. G&L ASAT Classic Guitar
239. 2 Hohner Special 20 Harmonicas
240. Fender Hot Rod Deville 2x12 Amplifier modified by Acorn Amplifiers
241. Line 6 Helix Floor Modeling Pedal
242. Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner Pedal
243. 2 - One Spot Power Supply
244. Larrivee L-03E
245. SKB Hard Plastic Acoustic Guitar Case
246. Fender Telecaster Case
247. Potentiometer

To learn more about Yacht Rock Revue and purchase tickets, visit their website. You can also learn more about Disco Expressions on their website.