The Calling's singer says he was attacked in Michigan

[August 20, 2013]  LAPEER, Mich. (AP) --  The lead singer of rock group The Calling was abducted, beaten and robbed after performing at a Michigan festival, the band said Monday.

Alex Band was attacked outside a store in Lapeer early Sunday, the group told The Associated Press. The Calling had performed Saturday night at a festival in the city of 8,800, about 45 miles north of Detroit.

Band had a spinal fracture, three broken teeth and needed 15 stiches in his chin, The Calling said in a statement.

Police asked the public for help in investigating.

Detective Sgt. Craig Gormley said in a statement -- that doesn't name Band by name -- that the victim reported two males forced him into a minivan, then assaulted and robbed him before dropping him off at a railroad crossing.

The Los Angeles-based group's 2001 song, "Wherever You Will Go," was used in several TV series and in the movie "Coyote Ugly."

In its statement, The Calling said Band was visiting a mini-market after the show when "Alex was grabbed by his shirt and hit from behind."

It said he was beaten with a baton and had a gun put to his face while an attacker demanded his "Hollywood money."

The Calling said Band is going to be a father and told his assailants as much, to which one responded "We don't kill fathers" before releasing him.

Band acknowledged having past substance abuse problems, but denied what he said were rumors that the abduction report was either drug-related or faked.

"I take my rehabilitation very seriously," he said. "I was near death due to this unbelievable situation, and the rumors are categorically false."

[Associated Press]

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