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DMBQ, Shonen Knife Drummer Mana 'China' Nishiura Killed in Van Crash

MONDAY NOVEMBER 7 2005 7:00 PM

Submitted by Keith. Edited By Keith.

En route to a gig in Brooklyn from Baltimore along I-95 on Friday, the touring van of Japanese noise-rock band DMBQ rolled over, resulting in multiple injuries, and one fatality, drummer Mana 'China' Nishiura:

According to the Gloucester County (New Jersey) Times, a car driven by twenty-two-year-old Sara Jacobi swerved across the right and center lanes "for an unknown reason", striking the band's Ford Econoline van in the left rear side. As the van slid and rolled over, China was ejected from the vehicle. She was later pronounced dead on the spot. Jacobi was uninjured.

The other members of the band were treated and released from the hospital, with the exception of U.S. tour manager Michelle Cable pending surgery from which she is expected to completely recover. Despite the intense, noisy rock for which she was known, fans remembered China:

...as a soft-spoken, kind-hearted individual. Chicago photographer and designer Matt Taplinger, who housed the band when they were in town on tour in April, describes DMBQ as "some of the nicest, most down-to-earth people I had ever had the pleasure of coming in contact with." Although drummers are traditionally relegated upstage, China went to astonishing lengths to involve the audience in DMBQ's live set: A recent performance at Atlanta's Drunken Unicorn saw her dismantle her kit and pass the pieces along to audience members, eventually drumming upon the scattered bits whilst sitting atop a fan's head. China joined Shonen Knife as their touring drummer in 2001.

Fans have set up a paypal account at dmbqpanache@lovepumpunited.com to assist with the band's medical bills, as some of them did not have insurance. Donations can also be sent to Lovepump United, PO BOX 3241, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.

Rest in peace.

19 Comments

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Vaux

I'm lost

January 2008

NOV 07, 2005 07:23 PM

My God...this is terrible. I saw them in Toronto when they were here, and she had such amazing energy onstage...I can't believe she's gone!

RuneLateralus

Chicago, IL

December 2002

NOV 07, 2005 07:41 PM

Dag....

Tangus

Altamonte Springs, FL

November 2005

NOV 07, 2005 08:03 PM

oh my G-d.

I really wanted to see this band, they just played here like a week ago I think, and now that'll never happen.

Jesus Christ, the past couple of days have been incredibly terrible for drummers in good bands, first the guy in Bayside and now this?

Gah, there are too many good band members dying in the past year.

My condolences to all bands who have lost members in accidents this year.

gut666

Moreno Valley, CA

April 2005

NOV 07, 2005 08:39 PM

geez thats shitty . rip

Vanessa

SUICIDEGIRL

New Mexico, USA

NOV 07, 2005 08:43 PM

Wow.
That kinda ruined my evening.

bean

STAFF

Los Angeles, CA

NOV 07, 2005 08:53 PM

I heard about that this afternoon when Babyland sent out an e-mail to their mailing list and asking for donations for medical expenses for promoter Michelle Cable, who was touring with them and doesn't have medical insurance. Here. I'll repost it here, if that's okay...

Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2005 11:45:15 -0800 (GMT-08:00)
From: BABYLAND / Mattress Records
Reply-To: BABYLAND / Mattress Records
To: BABYLAND list
Subject: BABYLAND: Please help

Hello all -

Our friend, promoter and Panache zine creator Michelle Cable was in a terrible car accident on Friday, November 4. She was on tour with DMBQ back east when the van they were driving was struck, seriously injuring Michelle and killing DMBQ's drummer, Mana "China" Nishiura. Here's a link for more details:

http://pitchforkmedia.com/news/05-11/07.shtml#dmbq

BABYLAND was lucky enough to play with DMBQ and Michelle has always helped out our band. If you can, please help us help them out by donating what you can; Even a kind email would be great. Supporters have set up a Paypal account for donations to help defer medical fees for the band and Cable, who does not have health insurance. Donate to

PayPay: dmbqpanache@lovepumpunited.com

(or) mail to:

Lovepump United
PO BOX 3241
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Thanks - and stay safe!

Koleeta

Los Angeles, CA

May 2003

NOV 07, 2005 10:30 PM

oh my god. that's terrible.

Elisabeth

Seattle, WA

December 2002

NOV 07, 2005 10:38 PM

Meh.

Philanthropy

Venice, FL

March 2005

NOV 07, 2005 11:32 PM

I love DMBQ and I especially loved their drummer when I saw them play live, this is flat-out heartbreaking for me.

[Edited on Nov 07, 2005 11:32PM]

Changes

Boston, MA

October 2005

NOV 08, 2005 06:28 AM

That's so fucking terrible. I heard about this from some friends last night. And it seriously makes me sick to my stomach. I wish the other members and all of their families the best.

PointBlank

New York, NY

November 2004

NOV 08, 2005 06:45 AM

R.I.P.

They'd played at one of the best shows (with Lightning Bolt and The Panthers) I've ever been to. DMBQ was so fucking good.

Drumset at the end of the show:

[Edited on Nov 08, 2005 by PointBlank]

llouys

Brazil

August 2003

NOV 08, 2005 06:48 AM

man that just sucks.

lacunalethe

Portland, OR

March 2004

NOV 08, 2005 08:15 AM

fucking sucks

stainedecho

Bloomington, IN

September 2005

NOV 08, 2005 11:27 AM

This does suck.

The thing that sucks more (and I hate pointing this out cause it makes me look like a dick) is that if China had been wearing her seatbelt, she probably would still be alive.

PointBlank

New York, NY

November 2004

NOV 08, 2005 11:31 AM

stainedecho said:
This does suck.

The thing that sucks more (and I hate pointing this out cause it makes me look like a dick) is that if China had been wearing her seatbelt, she probably would still be alive.

I'll let others debate if this was the proper place to bring this up, but I want to point out that most tour vans don't have seatbelts, or seats at all with the exception of the front two.

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