Sunhaus Cancel Wollongong Show After Van Breakdown & $300 Taxi Ride

There's something to be said for the old wisdom, 'When it rains, it pours', especially in the case of ascendant Brisbane indie-rockers Sunhaus' week: not only have they been forced to cancel a planned appearance at a show in Wollongong tonight, but it carries the added sting of a $300 cab ride to boot.

Presently on the road (well, you know what we mean) in support of their brand-spankin'-new EP, About Yesterday, Sunhaus were due to play the Rad Bar tonight with The Dardi Shades, Barry & The Kids and East Coast Swag before heading on to Canberra for a performance on Saturday.

The remaining acts will still play the show despite Sunhaus' inability to make the gig.

Unfortunately, about five hours into their trip yesterday, "somewhere between Woop-woop and Forster, belting out Teenage Dirtbag", the band suffered a major vehicle fault, which left them at the mercy of the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland and their exceptionally useful roadside assistance service.

"Our back wheel seized up and we semi-swerved to the side of the road," the band told The Music in a joint statement. "Knowing nothing about cars, we decided it was definitely something bad because of the smoking aircon, accompanied by a stench of burning rubber.

"We had no reception, our durries were getting rained on and we had to pee… RACQ rescued us eventually and took us to Macksville, which we mispronounced endlessly while crying to our mothers on the phone."

After holing up in a Macksville pub and filling themselves on servo food while attempting to find a way to make the show, members Madeleine Kinraid and Adela Lau — at significant cost to themselves, and while vocalist/guitarist Aidan Geraghty "slept in the car to guard our precious instruments" — made their way to Port Macquarie by cab in an ultimately fruitless attempt to find alternative transport.

"This morning Mad and Del got a $300 taxi to Port Macquarie only to find out they didn't have any vans for hire, but had a 4WD!" the band explained. "Drove back to pick up our gear and the boys... Boys and gear didn't fit. So we ditched the boys and now we're driving to Wollongong to pick up our 300 EPs, which will have to sit on our laps like a 20-kilogram, harshly cornered pet that is neither affectionate nor enthused!

"There weren't any trains or flights to Wollongong, so the boys are going straight to Canberra. And to top it off, we're a bazillion dollars out of pocket, can't smoke in the car or swap drivers ... At least it's sunny!"

The band have offered their apologies to audience, venue and other stakeholders alike, and say that they plan to return to the city at the earliest opportunity.

"We were super keen to play with the guys in Wollongong," the Realignment scribes conlcuded. "We did everything we possibly could to get there on time but it just didn't work out. Sorry to the venue and everyone involved in organising the show! You've been so understanding of our unfortunate adventure. We definitely plan to visit and play a little show in the future!"

Sunhaus will play at The Phoenix, Canberra, this Saturday, 11 February, with Teen Jesus and Azim Zain.

About Yesterday will be released tomorrow, 10 February, and the band also have dates in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane remaining on their current tour, so there are still a few chances to get along to a show and help them recoup some of their unfortunate losses.