On Friday, July 30, in Baton Rouge, LA, Chicago instrumental post-rockers Russian Circles were struck by a pick-up truck on the highway while on their current national tour with Japanese experimental rockers Boris. The band escaped unscathed, but some of their instruments, well, not so much.

“[The truck] hit the trailer so hard that it ripped the entire axel off and pushed them into the guard rail,” Manager Cathy Pellow of Sargent House said in a phone interview. “And basically destroyed the van…[the driver] smashing the trailer like a can. So, Dave [Turncrantz]‘s vintage Gretsch Kit is literally sticks.”

The accident resulted in the band having to cancel last weekend’s shows in Tallahassee, FL, Atlanta, GA, and tonight’s show at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC.

Luckily, the band’s equipment was insured, but they did lose the income of the canceled shows – which is where a touring act like Russian Circles makes most of their money. Their drums were the most damaged out of all the equipment save for one of bassist Brian Cook’s basses – but that can be repaired Pellow stated.

To make matters even worse, the van that was totaled was purchased from Chicago’s other instrumental rockers Pelican only four days earlier.

“They’re now having to buy a van for $5000 more than what they had a van for, so it sucks,” Pellow said.

The cost of the replacement van had to come out of their own pockets.

Photos of the accident can be seen after the jump.

Courtesy of Sargent House

Courtesy of Sargent House

Courtesy of Sargent House

For the time being, drummer Turncrantz will borrow Boris’ kit for the next few tour dates. The band hopes to make it to Washington D.C. for tomorrow’s show at the 930 Club barring any problems.

The band are currently accepting donations through paypal sent to: russiancircles@sargenthouse.com.