Meat Puppets [ tickets ] have returned with a new album titled “Golden Lies,” and are planning to open a tour of the club circuit in late November. But the current incarnation of the band is quite different from the influential acid-punk trio that emerged from Phoenix nearly 20 years ago.

From among the band’s original line-up, only singer, guitarist and principal songwriter Curt Kirkwood remains active in the group. Kirkwood’s brother Cris--who was the Meat Puppets' bassist--is said to be recovering from years drug addiction and other personal trauma. Drummer Derrick Bostrom manages the band’s website and recently helped to have its back catalog re-issued on Ryko, but isn’t otherwise active in the group.

Currently serving as Curt Kirkwood’s fellow Meat Puppets are bass player Andrew Duplantis, guitarist Kyle Ellison and drummer Shandon Sahm, the son of the late singer-guitarist Doug Sahm. Kirkwood’s new bandmates were plucked from the Austin, Texas, music scene, where the group is now based.

“Golden Lies” is the first Meat Puppets release since 1995’s “No Joke.” The new album was released on Breaking Records, a joint venture between Atlantic Records and Hootie & the Blowfish.