Pitchfork

As far as indie rock/mainstream news media crossovers go, it's doubtful anything will ever top former Low bassist Zak Sally's rhapsody in the key of Tool on ABC News a couple years back. But hey, this one comes close.

Jim Spellman-- who you may know as the onetime drummer for 1990s indie faves Velocity Girl, the onetime guitarist for Dischord rockers High Back Chairs, the current guitarist/vocalist for the recently activated Julie Ocean, or, simply, as CNN producer/correspondent extraordinaire Jim Spellman-- recently got his ass Tasered (or Tased, if you will) while on assignment for the 24-hour news network.

No, Spellman didn't wig out on John Kerry. Rather, he attended a convention for non-lethal law enforcement technology, stood in line for a popular attraction he calls the "Tasing booth," and experienced the power of Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle firsthand. It's not often you get to see 1200 volts of electricity coursing through a noted indie rocker as he writhes in pain on the ground, but, there you go.

Watch it all right here.

As Spellman notes, mostly in jest, "Everyone should get Tased once. It's a real eye-opening experience." And, let's face it, getting Tased sure beats having to listen to CNN presenter Nicole Lapin. Good grief.

Julie Ocean, meanwhile, recently issued their debut LP, Long Gone and Nearly There. Provided Spellman makes a full recovery from his Tasering, his band will open for Half Japanese at DC's Rock and Roll Hotel on July 11.