Brummagem's noise-pop trio Johnny Foreigner have launched an appeal to get a microphone, which was stolen during a show in Leeds, back to them. They've also promised a free show in the Yorkshire town before the year is out, to make up for a technically affected show.

The turn of events which took place was as follows:

• Alexei (the singer/guitarist dude) was doing his usual thing of crowd surfing and singing...
• A microphone (a Shure SM58, pictured below) was grabbed from his mitts...
• Whoever did it then made off quick smart, seemingly unknown to anyone...

The microphone was actually a gift given to the band's tour manager and is of personal value. The band are appealing to anyone and everyone, and have also put a bounty on the head of the person who did it.

Wrote Alexei:

"Hi, yesterday was the most YAY!!!/NO!! off our most YAY!!/NO!! tour yet. Parking tickets and powercuts and our guitars/amps/shoes falling apart, that was a point at the end of the show where I was floating around on my back in the top of the audience with a big dumb smile realising that all this is probably worth it. And then someone robbed my microphone and sort of tarnished the evening. Im sick of whining musicians so I'll not dwell on us being another 100 quid down, but the sentimental value of that sm58 to the person who trustingly lent it to me isn't something we can replace by jacking up shirt prices or not eating for a couple of days. If you know our band, then you'll know which we'd sooner do, and the love in the room last night was proof to us that we're justified in skinting ourselves to do this band. I reckon some drunk kidlet took it in revenge for having to wait round while the venue fixed its flux capacitor. well done, you really showed them. We're doing a free show in December, it'll probably be billed as an apology for last night but really we just love what we do, any excuse. If you bring us the severed head of the guy who robbed our mic, we'll give you our gin. We won't have much else to offer any more. Thx leeds, 99percent of you are wonderful xxx"

So there you have it. That's what happened. Annoying, petty and pretty pathetic. Yet, as mentioned above, the band have announced that they'll be playing a free show in Leeds, with ticket holders for the above show being told to hang onto them in order to gain priority entrance. That is, if you still have them and haven't chucked them away. Full details have yet to be announced but, y'know, you're smart kids, keep 'em peeled.

Anyone who can help with the return of the microphone, would they please e-mail johnnyforeigner@hotmail.com or gareth@fearandrecords.com.

For those not in the know, an SM58 looks roughly like this:

The band also have a few more tour dates - as usual - before heading off to mainland Europe and then returning again.

October:

17 - Cambridge, Soul Tree
23 - Cardiff, SWN Festival
26 - London, Rough Trade Instore
29 - Kingston, New Slang - album launch show

Watch the video for 'Criminals', their new single, below: