Community Fundraiser
Austin punk band recovers from accident as fans raise nearly $170,000
All members of Peelander-Z are stable and can communicate, but they'll need recovery time.
Friends of the Austin-based punk band Peelander-Z are organizing donations to help the band as they recover from a tour van accident.
The accident happened on the way to a gig in Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to the band's agent, Bradley Raffenaud, the tour van was rear-ended by a semitruck and all bandmembers were hospitalized with major injuries. All future shows have been canceled.
However, as of May 25, the GoFundMe fundraiser by Mosaic Sound Collective founder Dan Redman says everyone is stable and conscious.
Each band member goes by an alias. Kengo Hioki, a.k.a. Peelander Yellow, has fractures to his spine, ribs, and arm, and is being monitored for a brain injury. Yumiko Kanazaki, a.k.a. Peelander Pink, also has fractures to her legs and pelvis, plus organ injuries. Finally, Peelander Tiger is being monitored for a traumatic brain injury, but is set to be discharged soon. All need rehabilitation, but are able to communicate and their injuries are no longer life-threatening.
At the time of this article's publication, the GoFundMe has raised $167,015 of its $170,000 goal.
Peelander-Z is a colorful and high-energy band originally from Buffalo, New York. They describe themselves as "Japanese Action Comic Punk." Audiences easily recognize them onstage thanks to their artistic color-coded outfits, and many fans know them from their years playing South by Southwest and other festivals.
