Dayglo Abortions released from jail in Ohio, with police promptly loading up on band T-shirts

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      Capping off an experience those close to the band have described as “pure insanity”, two members of West Coast punk legends the Dayglo Abortions have been released from jail in Ashland, Ohio, cleaning up on merch sales and getting a memorial photo in the process.

      Dayglos singer-guitarist Murray Acton and guitarist Matthew Fiorito were arrested by police last Saturday following a show in Cleveland. The long-running Victoria band—whose albums like Out of the Womb and Feed Us a Fetus have been lionized as Canadian punk classics—was in the middle of an American tour.

      Upon their arrests, both Acton and Fiorito had their mugshots posted on the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office website. Neither was initially charged.

      Fiorito was subsequently charged with possession of a Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 substance, which spans everything from cannabis to heroin to prescription drugs such as Adderall.

      With help from a GoFundMe initiative organized by punk fans in Vancouver, Fiorito was released on bond on Wednesday. Acton was released without charges.

      Here’s where the surrealness comes in. Before sending the Dayglo Abortions back on the road, police at the sheriff’s office bought 10 tour T-shirts off the band. They also posed with Acton and Fiorito for a picture (see above).

      Vancouver punk and hardcore icon wendythirteen, who’s been in touch with the band, told the Straight: “It truly is the makings of a Dayglos song”.

      She described the whole experience as “pure insanity”.

      The Dayglo Abortions have decided to continue their American tour. Shows include gigs tonight in Brooklyn, as well as upcoming concerts in Lynchburg, Tennessee, Richmond, Virginia, and Charleston, South Carolina.

      "They’re just getting through it and honouring the remaining shows,” wendythirteen said. “Then thoughts will turn to getting home.”

      Because it’s true, she added: “Pretty punk to honor the last 10 shows.”

      To contribute to the ongoing GoFundMe, set up to assist Acton and Fiorito after their arrest, go here.

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