November 06, 2005
News | Former Shonen Knife Drummer Dies in Car Accident |
On Friday, November 5, the high-energy Japanese band DMBQ was involved in car accient that killed their drummer, China Nishiura. The band was on an East Coast U.S. tour. The band's other members were released from the hospital after treatment for minor injuries.
Nishiura, a former drummer of the legendary Shonen Knife, was called "the greatest female drummer I ever known" by Benten label owner Audry Kimura.
New York promoter Todd P reported the following on his site:
Hello
It is with a lot of grief and weariness that I announce that this weekend’s shows with DMBQ and friends show were cancelled following a tragic car accident involving the members of DMBQ.
Please direct any donations to benefit to help cover DMBQ’s and Michelle Panache’s travel and medical expenses to the following address via PayPal: dmbqpanache@lovepumpunited.com
DMBQ’s van rolled from I-95 in Southern New Jersey en route from Baltimore to Brooklyn on Friday. All members of the band as well as Michelle Cable from Panache Magazine and booking, who has been managing their tour, have been hospitalized in Delaware and New Jersey.
Mana “China” Nishiura did not survive the accident. China was DMBQ’s drummer, as well as a former drummer in Shonen Knife. China will be missed.
Michelle Cable is conscious following surgery for a head injury. She also sufferred an injury to her back and neck which will keep her in the hospital in for an extended amount of time and put her in a brace for awhile after, but she is expected to recovery completely. She is being treated in The Memorial Hospital of Salem County, New Jersey. Michelle has no health insurance.
The other members of DMBQ are all fine after being treated for minor injuries at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware. Shinji Masuko was discharged from the hospital on Sunday morning. Toru Matsui and Ryuichi Watanabe were discharged on Saturday.
That’s all the information I have.
There was also this article from the Gloucester County Times:
http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/local/index.ssf?/base/news-1/11311893433080.xml&coll=8
(Photo credit: http://suckapants.com/2005/04/melts-your-face-while-moving-your-feet.html)
Posted by Mack Hagood at November 6, 2005 05:36 PM