GARAGE sales don’t normally attract the attention of music experts and fans from around the world.

But when the garage in question belongs to Roland Orzabal, of 1980s hit band Tears for Fears, it’s an entirely different matter.

Over 30 flight cases containing equipment, instruments and clothing from the band’s 1996 tour will go on sale at specialist auctioneers Gardiner Houlgate in Corsham this December .

The band’s frontman is having a huge clear-out and the haul includes a Linn drum machine, part of Tears for Fears’ signature sound.

Items going under the hammer also include a Yamaha DX1 synthesizer; guitar amplifiers, pedal boards, VIP tour passes and even Mr Orzabal’s Electro-Voice microphone.

The Gardiner Houlgate team are still in the process of sorting through the flight cases to catalogue the full list of items.

Luke Hobbs, the Gardiner Houlgate auctioneer who will sell the equipment, said: “We’ve never sold anything like this before. It’s like a time capsule of a rock band’s tour from over 20 years ago.”

“It appears that once they completed their gigs back in 1996, all the equipment was put into storage until now.

“We think this will attract the attention of Tears for Fears fans, collectors and professional equipment dealers from around the world.

“In terms of price, it’s very hard to estimate but there could easily be £30,000–£40,000 worth of equipment here – and that’s without factoring in ‘fan value’.”

Also included in this auction is the guitar collection of former Searchers’ bass player Frank Allen.

He played on some of the Searchers’ greatest hits during the 1960s including When You Walk In The Room (1964), which reached number three in the UK chart. He has recently retired from performing.

The auction will take place at Gardiner Houlgate’s salerooms at 9 Leafield Way, Corsham, SN13 9SW on Wednesday and Thursday, December 12 and 13 from 11am.

Tears for Fears’ tour equipment will be available for public viewing over Monday and Tuesday, December 10-11 from 9am to 5.30pm and on the day of the sale itself.

Tears for Fears were formed in Bath in 1981 and achieved international success in the 1980s. Their UK arena tour this year was postponed due to ‘unforeseen health concerns’ and has been rescheduled for early 2019, according to the band’s website.

For more information contact Luke Hobbs or Jamie South 01225 812912 or by email at auctions@gardinerhoulgate.co.uk.