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Being an independent act on the road has its various pitfalls and obstacles. Traffic, bad clubs, bad weather, ornery soundmen… that’s all part of the deal. But few bands have ever had to cope with literally being swept off the road by a raging tornado while en route to a gig. That’s just what happened to Vicksburg, Mississippi’s Burning Windsor late last month.
On their way to playing a show at the New Daisy Theater in Memphis on Saturday, April 24th, the band found themselves driving right into the path of a tornado as they traveled north on I55. Unbelievably, injuries sustained by the members of the band amounted to scrapes and deep gashes, even though their Jeep was rolled 30 yards clear off the highway by the fierce storm.
Having lost almost all their gear and CDs in the carnage, the band managed to get to Memphis in time to play their show on instruments borrowed from other bands on the night’s bill. Disc Makers is providing 300 Digipaks free of charge to replace the CD inventory lost in the brutal storm.
You can find more info about Burning Windsor and their tornado survival on their MySpace page: www.myspace.com/burningwindsor.
They also shot a video as the tornado approached. You can find that on www.wlbt.com/global/story.asp?s=12373065.
- Disc Makers
Dustin Thomas of Vicksburg, Miss., speaks about the tornado south of Durant, Miss., Saturday, April 24, 2010. Thomas who was with two other members of a local hard rock band "Burning Windsor," were caught in the winds of a tornado as it was crossing Interstate 55. Several vehicles including their SUV were destroyed when they were pulled off the highway into the trees or simply battered by flying debris. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (Rogelio V. Solis - AP) - Washington Post
By Julie Straw - bio | email | twitter
HOLMES COUNTY, MS (WLBT) - The skies grew dark as Dustin Thomas and his Burning Windsor band members traveled north on Interstate 55 in east Holmes County.
The band was trying to get to Memphis for a gig Saturday night. They never realized they were driving straight into the path of a tornado.
"All of a sudden out of no where, we couldn't see it coming. It was just wind coming from our right side," said Thomas.
A cell phone camera records more than a minute of the raging winds.
"We had debris from all the trees to our right hitting us and glass was starting to break and everything was complete chaos," said Thomas.
A tree fell on a trailer in front of their Jeep. They pulled along side it.
"Their trailer is probably what saved our lives because it stopped most of that from hitting us directly. After that, all I can remember we flipped," reflected Thomas.
The tornado tossed their Jeep about 30 yards from where they had stopped. Instruments and equipment were later found twisted in debris.
"All our stuff was in cases and it just pulled them out of cases. It was just crazy," said bass player Meredith Spencer.
Thomas had minor scrapes. Band members Nate Wright and Devon Cessina suffered deeper cuts, but they all survived a tornado.
"I'm just glad my friends are ok," said Thomas.
Burning Windsor did perform Saturday night at the New Daisy Theater in Memphis. Nearly all of their equipment and instruments were destroyed. Thanks to other bands who lent their equipment to Burning Windsor they were able to play. If you are interested in helping the band contact them at burningwindsor@yahoo.com or myspace.com/burningwindsor.
- WLBT
Description: Indie Rock band Burning Windsor invades Memphis at the New Daisy Theatre Friday night. Doors open at 7 p.m. Open to all ages. Tickets are $8.
The New Daisy Theatre is located at 330 Beale St., Memphis, TN 38103.
- Commercial Appeal
Discography
Burning Windsor- From the Ashes
Photos
Bio
Hard hitting and melodic, Burning Windsor is filled with energetic riffs and lyrics that'll keep the crowd asking for more. Their EXPLOSIVE on stage show sets them apart from other acts by promising not only to entertain the audience, but treat them to an experience unlike any other.
Fusing together a deliberate and aggressive sound, southern charm and ear-splitting intensity with deep guttural vocals, this is no glam-inspired metal band. Burning Windsor has a developed sound that mixes their love of classic rock with the new sound of heavy metal which is infectiously catchy. Already they have a cult following across the globe and their fan base is rapidly growing. Their highly anticipated and long awaited debut album, From the Ashes, is out and gaining much exposure.
Burning Windsor is made up of front-man and singer/songwriter Dustin Thomas who takes lead on vocals and guitar, Meredith Spencer, who is band leader, Bass player, proclaimed band dare-devil and Drummer Nate Wright, who brings his various percussion styles and experience to the group to make this band a well sought after commodity among venues as they are preparing for a 2010 summer tour that will take the country by storm.
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