A Danish heavy metal band faced both theft and extortion in a single week after losing their trailer full of instruments, worth about 100,000 kroner.
Instruments Stolen in Hvidovre
It has been a tough week for the heavy metal band Red Warszawa. Early Sunday morning, their equipment trailer vanished from a quiet residential area in Hvidovre, just outside Copenhagen. The trailer, always parked in the same spot, was gone without a trace.
The group quickly reported the theft to the police and decided to take matters into their own hands. They reached out on social media for help and, before long, online supporters found the missing trailer. It had been abandoned on a parking lot in Store Heddinge, roughly 60 kilometers away. Unfortunately, it was completely emptied except for a spare tire.
Attempted Extortion Follows the Theft
Not long after recovering the empty trailer, the story took an unexpected turn. On Monday evening, the band’s drummer received a phone call from an unknown number. The caller claimed to know where the missing instruments were and offered to share the location for 5,000 kroner.
Hoping to recover their gear, the musicians took the chance and drove to Copenhagen’s Sydhavn area, but they found nothing there. The instruments had vanished again, and the phone number led nowhere.
According to founder and guitarist Henning Nymand, the stolen gear, including his personal guitar from 1996, was worth around 100,000 kroner. While the police confirmed that the theft and extortion were reported, they have not commented further on the ongoing investigation.
A Band Known for Its Unusual Style
Red Warszawa formed in the late 1980s when two classmates, Nymand and Jens Mondrup, decided to start what they called a “Polish punk” band. Over time, they became known for their satirical lyrics and wild performances that carved out a niche in the Danish music scene.
Today, the band includes Henning Nymand on guitar, Mathias Ankjær Pedersen on bass, Mads Volf-Kjær on drums, and Tobias Lønstrup Nørholm on vocals. Some of their most-streamed songs include “Brøndby Strand” and “Bollet ihjel af hest.” Despite the recent incident, the group maintains its self-deprecating style and humor, referring to their sound as “dumb music for dumb people.”
Another Suspicious Call
Just days after the first extortion attempt, the drummer received another strange phone call from the same anonymous person. The caller spoke nervously and claimed that the instruments were now being sold, adding that he wanted an additional 5,000 kroner for information.
Nymand described the conversation as chaotic and doubted the caller’s credibility. He suspects that the band fell victim to online trolls trying to exploit their situation. He also believes that the missing instruments were likely shipped abroad and may already have been sold in Poland or Africa.
For the Band, the Show Must Go On
Even though losing valuable gear is a blow, Red Warszawa refuses to let it stop them. Their three concerts in Lyngby this week are all sold out. The band will be performing using spare instruments from their practice space. According to Nymand, they are determined to continue playing shows and keep their fans entertained.
For Red Warszawa, the theft was a setback, not a showstopper. Their focus now is on rebuilding their collection and moving forward. Though frustrated, they insist that their spirit remains intact.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Danish Music Scene Guide for Expats
The Danish Dream: Best Insurance Companies in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Dansk band afpresset efter dyrt tyveri – ret speciel situation, siger medlem
