November 3, 2008 19:23

Death Cab For Cutie singer stung by a scorpion backstage Death Cab For Cutie Tickets

Ben Gibbard has a close call

Death Cab For Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard was stung twice by a scorpion just as he was about to go on stage in San Diego last week.

The singer had reportedly just changed into his show trousers when he felt something sting him on his thigh.

Writing on his blog about the incident, bassist Nick Harmer explained: "So tonight in San Diego, Ben got stung by a SCORPION. Twice. I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried, file this under 'things that really happen on rock tours,'" he wrote.

"Ben's okay, if not a little shaken, but we were worried for a while because the scorpion was a little guy and, when it comes to the wonderful world of scorpions, the smaller the deadlier.

"Here's how it went down: As were were getting ready to go onstage to play our set, Ben changed into his show pants that were hanging in our wardrobe case. He put his pants on, and felt something stick him twice in his thigh and when he pulled them off, this guy came running out."

Harmer posted a photo of the eight-legged creature.

"We all screamed. A scorpion was honestly the last thing we could imagine that would come scurrying out of his pants. Ben said that it felt like a wasp stung him and it didn't hurt so bad, but it sure rattled all of us.

"We called the EMTs and they checked him out and thankfully he was fine and able to play the show, he said he had scorpion power in his veins.

"I'm still not convinced that he is 100% fine because nobody eliminated the possibility that it was a radioactive scorpion and that Ben will now develop superpowers, so I'm keeping a close eye on him just in case."

The band were forced to cancel their concert at the Los Angeles Forum the following day, but for a different reason.

Tourmate Neil Young pulled out of the show in solidarity with picketing union workers at the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees, who are involved in a contract dispute with the Forum's owner, as previously reported.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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