Of Mice & Men's Austin Carlile has lung collapse mid-set, still finishes show

August 24, 2016

Of Mice & Men frontman Austin Carlile suffered a collapsed lung during the band’s set it Denver earlier this month—and still finished the show.

“I couldn't breathe right and I was gasping,” he tells Rolling Stone. “I managed to do the rest of the show. Then the medics came and gave me oxygen and the lung somehow kind of naturally re-inflated.”

He added, “But things like that happen every day and I've just learned to deal with them. The best laid plans for Of Mice and Men often go awry. I can't plan for much because I feel like life is always going to throw me a curve ball.”

Of Mice & Men have spent the summer on tour alongside Slipknot and Marilyn Manson. While no comment was released, Carlile recently shared pictures of himself on crutches and performing with a brace on his left leg.

Listen: Of Mice & Men release new song without screams

The vocalist also tells Rolling Stone about quitting prescription drugs earlier this year—while recording the band’s new album. “I decided I wanted to be off all the drugs and feel the pain every day and deal with it, rather than not feel anything at all.

“In January, I stopped taking anything and the next three months were the worst of my life. I would throw up in the middle of the night and lie there shaking in my bed, moaning and screaming. The pain was unbearable.”

He continued, “I did physical therapy four times a week and aqua therapy three times a week while I was coming off the stuff and at the same time I'm recording the record. I'd rather have heart surgery again than go through that again.”

Of Mice & Men have premiered a music video for the second single off their new album, Cold World. Check out the clip for “Real” below and be sure to leave us a comment with your thoughts!