Death Cab For Cutie rocker Ben Gibbard got more than he bargained for at a recent San Diego, California gig - after he was attacked and stung by a scorpion.
Frontman Gibbard was changing his outfit as he prepared to take to the stage in the city last week when he felt the venomous creature sting his leg twice.
The stunned band quickly called emergency services to the scene - and were relieved when medics gave Gibbard the all clear.
Bassist Nick Harmer writes on his blog, "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'.
"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."
But Harmer insists Gibbard hasn't been left emotionally scarred by the terrifying encounter - joking that the sting has given his bandmate superhero powers.
He adds, "I'm still not convinced that he is 100 per cent fine because nobody eliminated the possibility that it was a radioactive scorpion and that Ben will now develop super powers, so I'm keeping a close eye on him just in case."