The parking lot was silent. Too silent. As dawn broke over Indianapolis on April 21, Canadian hardcore punk band Cancer Bats awoke in their hotel room with adrenaline still buzzing from a career-high performance the night before. But that high didn’t last long.

“We came out in the morning, and the entire van and trailer were gone,” recalled bassist Jaye Schwarzer. “There’s just a pile of glass where the van used to be.”

In an instant, the Toronto-based quartet was left without a single instrument, amp, pedal, or drum. Their touring rig — packed with gear they’d accumulated, customized, and cherished for years — had vanished into the night.

A Band’s Worst Nightmare

The April 20 show at a small Indianapolis bar had been electric. Schwarzer described it as “probably the best show we’ve ever played in Indianapolis.” That sentiment would become cruelly ironic just hours later. Gone were not just instruments, but musical history: the guitars used to write their early albums, a custom bass pedalboard Schwarzer called his “Frankenstein,” and hand-tuned drum kits that had survived over a decade of tours.

“It was a punch in the gut,” he said. “We felt paralyzed.”

Like many mid-level bands grinding through the American touring circuit, Cancer Bats had no roadies, no backup rig, and no safety net. But they did have something else: a fiercely loyal fanbase—and friends in the right places.

Sweetwater Strikes a Power Chord of Support

Word of the theft spread quickly through social media. The band launched a GoFundMe campaign, appealing to fans for help covering losses and resuming the tour. That’s when the phone rang in Fort Wayne.

Shawn Dealey, Sweetwater Studios’ chief engineer—and longtime friend of the band—saw the post and didn’t hesitate.

“At the studio here, we have a bunch of equipment that we don’t use all the time,” Dealey said. “Drum kits, guitars, bass amps. I figured, why let it sit here while my friends are stranded?”

Within hours, Dealey coordinated with Sweetwater’s leadership to loan Cancer Bats a full touring setup—free of charge.

“No contracts. No red tape. Just, ‘What do you need, and how fast can we get it to you?’” Dealey said.

It was a lifesaver.

“I know it might sound cliché, but it meant everything,” Schwarzer said, choking up. “We were pretty close to tears.”

A Temporary Rebuild, a Permanent Impact

Armed with Sweetwater’s gear, Cancer Bats resumed their tour the next day. The replacement instruments weren’t what they’d lost—but they worked. More importantly, they reminded the band that in a world where gear can vanish overnight, people still show up.

The new setup included:

• A full five-piece drum kit with hardware

• Two electric guitars and a bass, all pre-set and gig-ready

• Touring cases and accessories for transport

• A portable PA and backup amps in case of venue issues

Dealey personally helped the band adjust tone settings to suit their high-gain, heavy-metal sound. “We made it as close as possible to what they were used to,” he said.

Theft, Touring, and the Reality for Indie Bands

Musical equipment theft is a long-standing plague for touring musicians—particularly in mid-sized cities and areas with sparse overnight security. Insurance often doesn’t cover full value. Many bands rely on a patchwork of DIY security, hoping for the best.

“We’re not Metallica,” Schwarzer said. “We don’t have a fleet. We drive ourselves. We load in ourselves.”

The band says some of the lost items were irreplaceable. One guitar had a strap from their first ever show in 2004.

Still, they’re pushing forward—and thinking about how to give back.

Giving It Forward

The GoFundMe campaign raised more than $18,000 in under a week. But now that Sweetwater has covered their gear needs, the band plans to donate remaining funds.

“We want to use it to buy instruments for underprivileged kids,” Schwarzer said. “If some good can come out of this mess, that’s it.”

Sweetwater has pledged to help connect the band with community music programs across the U.S. and Canada when the tour ends in May.

When that time comes, all loaned equipment will be returned to Fort Wayne.

“They’re treating it like sacred gear,” Dealey said. “And honestly, it’s come full circle. Musicians helping musicians—that’s what it’s about.”

Still Searching, Still Hoping

Back in Indianapolis, police are still investigating. No arrests have been made, but fans across the Midwest are keeping watch for stolen gear. Schwarzer says people from Kentucky to Michigan have contacted them with photos and leads.

“Just knowing people are out there looking for it gives us a semblance of hope,” he said.

The band has posted serial numbers and distinctive marks on their social media accounts, hoping someone spots a telltale amp or guitar in a pawn shop or on Craigslist.

But for now, the focus is forward.

Fort Wayne’s Quiet Role in Loud Music

For Sweetwater, this was more than a goodwill gesture—it was an embodiment of its mission.

Founded in 1979, the Fort Wayne-based company has grown into one of the largest retailers of musical instruments and pro audio gear in the United States. Its ethos? Serve the artist. Always.

“Doing the right thing is kind of our unofficial motto,” said Dealey. “This wasn’t a PR move. This was a human move.”