Drunk Stuntmen had a wildly successful tour converting hundreds and hundreds of southerners to their brand of American rock before Stuntvan lit the early morning sky of South Carolina while burning to the ground. Drunk Stuntmen shows were talked about on different Internet mailing lists as fans discovered their new favorite rock band. There will be StuntVan benefit shows this weekend to help the band get a new van before touring the rest of America later this month.

Drunk Stuntmen were the only band without a North Carolina zip code to be invited to play the internationally renown SpittleFest in Raleigh. After flooring the crowd on Saturday night, an impromptu gig was scheduled that Monday at Sadlack?s which drew an enthusiastic capacity crowd. Reviews of the show we posted on the guitar town mailing list, where hundreds of folks talk and buzz daily about their favorite bands. Drunk Stuntmen headlined the world famous Americana Tuesday Night at the Double Door in Charlotte. This night has hosted some of American?s greatest songwriters. Iota?s in Arlington VA was a near capacity crowd, with excited reviews from happy fans posted on other mailing lists.

Trouble started for the StuntVan after this string of shows when the transmission went, just outside of Atlanta. Now, the irony of the blown transmission was tremendous. The van was towed to same mechanic who decommissioned the last StuntVan 4 years ago and the engine of this StuntVan had just been replaced a month ago. After a few days hanging out in Atlanta, the Stuntmen were off to Savannah without missing a show, but with a sparkling new transmission to go with their fancy new engine. After making Savannah smile, the StumtVan caught fire somewhere in South Carolina. All the Stuntmen and important equipment were taken from the van and trailer while flames shot 20 feet in the air. Unfortunately the first fire truck arrived on the other side of the highway and got stuck crossing the median while the flames engulfed the van and finished it off. With it went wallets, day planners, address books, mailing lists, sneakers, cowboy hats, boots, and more. Drunk Stuntmen rented a box truck and made it home to rock Boston Saturday night.

Drunk Stuntmen have 2.5 weeks to get a new van before embarking on a 2 month tour that will take them through Texas, the Colorado Rockies, and out to Los Angeles. The Stuntmen are playing a string of local "StuntVan Benefit Shows" and hope to make enough dough to put a down payment on a new van, hopefully one without engine, transmission, or fire problems. The local shows kick off at Seven O?s on Friday the 15th, followed by Harry?s on the 16th, and the Brass Cat on the 23rd. Darkside Tattoo has donated some gift certificates that will be awarded to the winners of the stuntdancing contests. Bring an extra 5 or 10 bucks to throw in the collection box and help this rock band stay on the road. Photos are int he Photo Gallery! For quotes and interviews contact Steve Sanderson at (413) 585-1001.