The Calling's Alex Band Violent Abduction/Beating HOAX to Promote Band's 'Big 2013 Comeback?' Singer Releases 'Severe' Injury PHOTOS/911 Call, 'Captors Took Mercy for My Baby!'

TMZ reports that over the weekend, Alex Band (lead singer of the popular rock band The Calling) was abducted on the streets of Michigan. The 32-year-old "Tonight" crooner was violently beaten, robbed, and abandoned by a crew of unidentified van bandits. Photos of Band's "severe" injuries have since gone viral online, and police are currently investigating the situation. But was the whole "kidnapping" scenario simply a stint to promote The Calling's "big" 2013 comeback? Band heatedly insists that his near-death experience was definitely NOT a hoax - the only reason his captors gave mercy is because his wife's expecting a baby soon, and the abductors allegedly said that they "don't kill fathers."

According to reports, Band was taking a stroll in Lapeer, MI early Sunday morning (August 18) when the abduction occured. The boys were in town for a music festival, and Band decided to hit-up a mini-mart not too far from their hotel (solo).

During the brief walk, a van pulled up alongside Band. He was quickly snatched off the street and people inside the van proceeded to beat him up - bad. The abductors then robbed Band and dumped his body on some nearby train tracks. Another member of The Calling eventually realized that he was missing later that morning, so they started a search party. Band, bloody and barely conscious, was discovered not too long after. He was treated at a local hospital and later released.

TMZ managed to obtain the band manager's initial 911 call:

Band's publicist later told TMZ  that the rocker suffered a fractured lower spine, 15 stitches to the lower chin, 3 broken teeth, and a bruised on his side/stomach. But Band released such injury photos, and they really don't look THAT severe...

Of course, now TMZ's suggesting that the entire beat-down was a set-up to get The Calling's name back out there. The band was huge back in 2001 with their hit song "Wherever You Will Go" - but they broke up soon after. Now, they're trying to do a comeback.

Still, Band's rep insists that the only reason he escaped (alive) is because his captors took mercy on him for having a baby on the way. Band pleaded with them, "Don't kill me as I am about to be a dad." The captors allegedly responded, "We don't kill fathers." And they let him go.

TMZ couldn't get hold of the Lapeer City Police Department, but authorities say that the suspects are two men who were driving a "blue colored minivan."

Band tells the popular gossip webloid, "I was near death due to this unbelievable situation and the rumors are categorically false and not a hoax as reported."

So... what do Mstars fans think? Was the abduction real, or fake?