DMBQ Drummer Killed

Mana “China” Nishiura, 34, drummer for Japanese rock band DMBQ, was killed in a van accident November 4th while the group was driving on the New Jersey turnpike on its way to a gig in Brooklyn, N.Y.

At press time, her bandmates – Shinji Masuko, Toru Matsui and Ryuichi Watanabe – and tour manager Michelle Cable were being treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

The van was allegedly struck by another car, causing it to cross an embankment and roll several times.

Nishiura was ejected from the van and died at the scene, according to a posting on her former band’s Web site, Shonenknife.com.

DMBQ’s U.S. tour is currently in limbo.