New album finished, Blind Melon set to tour

Blind Melon has a new album coming out, and will hit the road for a two month tour starting at the end of February.

Singer Shannon Hoon died of an drug overdose in 1995, and the four remaining band members issued an outtakes record in 1996. Although they tried to keep the band's identity relevant for a time, they officially called off the search for a new singer in 1999.

The four remaining members went their separate ways for a while, until guitarist Chris Thorn and bassist Brad Smith met singer/songwriter Travis Warren. Thorn and Smith were called in to produce songs for Warren, who, it turned out, was a huge Blind Melon fan. Inspired, Thorn and Smith called the two other former Melonites, guitarist Roger Stevens and drummer Glenn Graham. Could Warren front the band’s 21st century comeback? Yes, everyone agreed, Blind Melon finally had a singer capable of holding Hoon’s microphone.

Blind Melon’s new album, For My Friends, will be digitally released March 4, and CDs will find their way to stores April 22.

Tour dates:

February
28 - Riverdale, N.J. @ Dexter’s
29 - Hartford, Conn. @ Webster Theatre

March
1 - New York, N.Y. @ Hiro Ballroom
3 - Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
4 - Norfolk, Va. @ Norva
5 - Richmond, Va. @ The National
7 - Charlotte, N.C. @ Tremont Music Hall
8 - Orlando, Fla. @ Backbooth
9 - Everglades National Park, Fla. @ Langerado Festival
11 - Tuscaloosa, Ala. @ Jupiter Bar and Grill
12 - Chattanooga, Tenn. @ Rhythm and Brews
14 - Nashville, Tenn. @ The Cannery Ballroom
15 - Indianapolis, Ind. @ The Vogue
16 - Detroit, Mich. @ St. Andrew’s Hall
18 - Milwaukee, Wisc. @ Rave
20 - Davenport, Iowa @ Redstone Room
21 - St. Paul, Minn. @ Station 4
22 - Omaha, Neb. @ Slowdown
24 - Sauget, Ill. @ Pops
25 - Kansas City, Mo. @ Beaumont Club
27 - Aspen, Colo. @ Belly Up
28 - Boulder, Colo. @Fox Theatre
31 - Boise, Idaho @ The Big Easy

April
1 - Seattle, Wash. @ El Corazon
3 - Orangevale, Calif. @ The Boardwalk
4 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Independent
18 - Dallas, Texas @ House of Blues
19 - Austin, Texas @ Antones
20 - Houston, Texas @ Meridian
22 - Baton Rouge, La. @ Varsity Theatre
23 - Mobile, Ala. @ Soul Kitchen
29 - Tempe, Ariz. @ Club Red
30 - Las Vegas, Nev. @ Jillian’s

May
2 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ El Rey Theatre
3 - San Juan Capistrano, Calif. @ The Coach House
4 - San Diego, Calif. @ Canes Bar & Grill
24 - Chillicothe, Ill. @ Summer Camp 2008

August
30 - Milwaukee, Wis. @ Summerfest Grounds

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