Blind Melon adds fresh dates with new 'Friends'
Blind Melon 's comeback continues to gather steam, as the band adds new dates to its coming reunion tour behind its first studio album in over a decade.
"For My Friends," the first album from the California alt-rockers since 1995's "Soup," will hit stores April 22, introducing new lead singer Travis Warren to the group's fans, who will also get a closer look at him during a lengthy headlining tour that kicks off Feb. 28 in Riverdale, NJ.
The band has lined up more than 35 cities for the outing, which currently runs through the first week of May, and could include more dates before it's over, according to the group's publicist. The band's complete current itinerary is included below.
Blind Melon disbanded abruptly in 1995 after lead singer Shannon Hoon died of a drug overdose, and surprised fans last fall when it announced that original members Glen Graham, Roger Stevens, Christopher Thorn and Brad Smith were regrouping with the Texas-bred Warren.
"We couldn't have planned this and we certainly couldn’t have forced this," said bassist Smith in a statement. "It was meant to be and it was meant to be now."
"We weren't waiting around for Travis to show up in our lives," added guitarist Thorn. "But when we met Travis, we just knew Blind Melon had to reform and be a band again. We feel so lucky to have this second chance, this new beginning."
The band is working collectively on a book about Blind Melon's Hoon era, according to its MySpace page, which currently serves as the group's official website. The working title for the book is "Caramel Cake Covered Christmas: The Story of Shannon Hoon and Blind Melon."
February 2008
28 - Riverdale, NJ - Dexter's
29 - Hartford, CT - Webster Theatre
March 2008
1 - New York, NY - Hiro Ballroom
3 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
4 - Norfolk, VA - NorVa
5 - Richmond, VA - The National
7 - Charlotte, NC - Tremont Music Hall
8 - Orlando, FL - Backbooth
9 - Big Cypress, FL - Langerado Festival
11 - Tuscaloosa, AL - Jupiter Bar and Grill
12 - Chattanooga, TN - Rhythm and Brews
14 - Nashville, TN - Cannery Ballroom
15 - Indianapolis, IN - Vogue
16 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrew's Hall
18 - Milwaukee, WI - Rave
20 - Davenport, IA - Redstone Room
21 - St. Paul, MN - Station 4
22 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown
24 - St. Louis, MO - Pop's
25 - Kansas City, MO - Beaumont Club
27 - Aspen, CO - Belly Up
28 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre
31 - Boise, ID - The Big Easy
April 2008
1 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
3 - Orangevale, CA - The Boardwalk
4 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent
18 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues
19 - Austin, TX - Antone's
20 - Houston, TX - Meridian
22 - Mobile, AL - Soul Kitchen
23 - Baton Rouge, LA - Varsity Theatre
29 - Tempe, AZ - Club Red
30 - Las Vegas, NV - Jillian's
May 2008
2 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre
3 - San Juan Capistrano, CA - Coach House
4 - San Diego, CA - Canes
24 - Chillicothe, IL - Summer Camp 2008
August 2008
30 - Milwaukee, WI - Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary
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