WESTFIELD – Members of a local band are lucky to be alive after the van they were traveling in was involved in an accident in Pennsylvania Sunday.
Within The Ruins, a heavy metal band signed to Entertainment One Music from Westfield, had just returned from a 27-day European tour and were traveling to California to begin another U.S. tour when the accident occurred.
In a statement released by the band, Guitarist Joe Cocchi said he and his bandmates are just happy to be alive.
“We rolled about three times from what I can remember and landed on the median. Our van and trailer are totaled,” he stated. I know (expletive) happens but man, this is a tough one to grasp.”
Cocchi said he and his bandmates had only been able to spend one day with their families before departing for the West Coast.
“All I can say is that we’re happy to be alive. I don’t know how, but none of us were injured,” he stated.
Their equipment was not so lucky, as Cocchi added that the band’s instruments and sound equipment didn’t survive the crash. A donation page on the website GoFundMe was established Monday to help alleviate some of the costs of new van/trailer, rental van, gear repair and other expenses.
To date, almost 350 people fans from Westfield and beyond have donated almost $8,400 to help the group in their time of need.
“We’re on the road touring because this is all we know and love, and we want to continue,” stated Cocchi. “Help us get back on our feet by picking up a shirt or making a donation if you can spare it.”
The show must go on, and Within The Ruins is still scheduled to belatedly begin their 36-stop tour with metal rockers Suicide Silence Friday evening at El Corazon in Seattle, Washington.
Within The Ruins will be returning to New England on March 8, when they swing by Higher Ground in Burlington, Vermont, followed by a March 10 show at The Webster Theatre in Hartford, Connecticut.
The tour will conclude on March 30 at Aftershock in Merriam, Kansas.
