Kevin Carlberg, the lead singer of pop-leaning jam band Pseudopod, is recovering at home after undergoing surgery last week to remove a malignant brain tumor. The Interscope band was in Ft. Collins, Colo., on Nov. 12 to kick off a tour supporting O.A.R., and preparing for a radio station interview when Carlberg became ill with terrible headaches and nausea.
After a CAT scan revealed that he had a small tumor, the band drove the singer to UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, where the five-hour surgical procedure to remove the tumor was performed on Nov. 18. Carlberg is in good spirits and is determined to make a full recovery, according to a statement from the label.
“The surgery went well and Kevin bounced back quicker than anyone they’ve seen. I was joking with him about his newly shaven head less than 24 hours later,” guitarist Ross Grant writes on the band’s official Web site. “But, the fight is only beginning. We won’t have a full analysis of the tumor for a few more weeks, but he will most likely need radiation and chemotherapy. We’ve canceled all touring for the time being.
“We’re all confident he’s going to fight this thing with everything he has,” Grant adds.
The band — which has become known for playing its shows barefoot — was to tour with O.A.R. through a pair of shows tonight (Nov. 26) and tomorrow in Washington, D.C., then kick off a slate of dates with the Big Wu, Dec. 6 in St. Louis, Mo. The band’s self-titled major label debut album was released in August.
Anyone wishing to send well wishes to Carlberg can address them c/o Janette Baxa, Interscope Records, 2220 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404.
