It's tough being a rock star. There were rumors that Raine Maida, the hunky lead singer of Canadian rockers Our Lady Peace, was paralyzed in a snowboarding accident on the band's day off -- but the truth turns out to be much less dramatic. The band had a very important date at last weekend's Juno awards (Canada's version of the Grammys), and they hopped a jet to get there in time. Unfortunately, Maida hopped a little too high, pinched a nerve in his neck, and had to be hospitalized. He was treated, and kept overnight for observation. The diagnosis? An owie (aka a pinched nerve).

He was thus released with a month's supply of Vicodin, plus a warning to take it easy and to please try to rock a little harder. But not right away -- so the band was forced to cancel their next three shows with Black Lab and Headswim. Not it that mattered, since Black Lab's Paul Durham was having a few problems of his own. He had come down with a virulent case of food poisoning after eating Shrimp Vindaloo at an Indian restaurant in aaaaBoulder. Indian food in Colorado?

That was his first mistake -- how many turban-swathed heads have you seen in those mountains? The only band that was functional at all was Headswim, and that was because their lead singer was well-rested after recovering from a bout of tonsillitis last week. The shows that were canceled were Boulder, Colorado, on March 23, Salt Lake City on March 24, and Vail, Colorado, on March 26. No word whether they will be rescheduled. The ailing troika, armed with improved health insurance, will be back on the road for their Portland show on March 27, and for the KNND Winter Radio Fest, Board Stiff, on March 28.

-Jaan Uhelszki