Vice Records signs Dark Meat, reissues Universal Indians

[Above: Dark Meat's Universal Indians CD-release party in 2006]

When Vice interviewed vocalist Jim McHugh of the then-30-something-member Dark Meat family, the magazine challenged him to recall the names of everyone in the psych-rock group, as well as each person’s instrument, hair color and middle name. The frontman somehow managed to avoid an aneurism whilst detailing his frenetic horde, and not quite a year-ish later, Vice has signed the cacophonous collective of Athens, Ga. musicians to its record label.

Now down to a mere 17 participants – including members of Elf Power, Of Montreal, We Versus the Shark and Gnarls Barkley – Dark Meat has plotted a 66-show tour to promote an expanded and re-released (on April 8) edition of its debut, Universal Indians, originally born of Orange Twin in 2006. The updated album will feature three bonus tracks recorded live in Joshua Tree National Park, because that’s the kind of thing people from college towns who ride around together in bright green, 1972 GMC coach tour buses do. Universal Indians will take LP form on April 22.

The tour begins tonight with the first of eight SXSW shows. Just because you know sombody who knows somebody in the band doesn't mean you'll get on any guest lists because then they would never make any money.

March
11 - Shreveport, La. @ The Jackrabbit
12 - Flagpole Party // Bourbon Rocks 508 E. 6th St // Open to Public 5:15pm
12 - Orange Twin Party // Spiro's 611 Red River // Badge Holders 1am PLAYING THE STOOGES' FUNHOUSE LIVE!
13 - Todd P Party // Ms Beas 1104 E 6th St. // Open to Public 7:30pm ACOUSTIC!
13 - VICE Showcase // VICE Bar 302 6th St. // Badge Holders 1:30pm
14 - VICE Saves Texas // Outdoor Stage 1106 E 11th // RSVP www.vicesavestexas.com 5:45pm
14 - Art Authority // Spiderhouse 2908 Fourth St. // Open to Public 11:00pm
15 - Exclaim!/Outside Party // Saxon Pub 1320 South Lamar // Open to Public 5pm
15 - Late night party TBA
16 - San Antonio, Texas @ The X-ing
17 - Houston, Texas @ The Mink
18 - Pensacola, Fla. @ Sluggos
19 - Birmingham, Ala. @ BottleTree
20 - Athens, Ga. @ 40 Watt

April
7 - Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Union Hall
8 - Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Union Pool
9 - Boston, Mass. @ Milky Way
10 - Bridgeport, Conn. @ Two Boots
11 - Providence, R.I. @ as220
12 - Washington, D.C. @ Red and The Black
13 - Norfolk, Va. @ The Boot
15 - Raleigh, N.C. @ Slim's
16 - Charlotte, N.C. @ The Milestone
17 - Richmond, Va. @ Gallery 5
18 - Baltimore, Md. @ Talking Head
19 - Philadelphia, Pa. @ WPW
20 - New York City, N.Y. @ Cake Shop
21 - Buffalo, N.Y. @ Mohawk Place
22 - Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Garfield Artworks
23 - Cleveland, Ohio @ Beachland Ballroom
24 - Urbana, Ill. @ The Canopy Club
25 - East Peoria, Ill. @ Peoria Pizza Works
26 - Chicago, Ill. @ Empty Bottle
27 - Minneapolis, Minn. @ Nomad World Pub
28 - Fargo, N.D. @ Aquarium
29 - Omaha, Neb. @ The Waiting Room
30 - Lawrence, Kan. @ Jackpot Saloon

May
1 - Denver, Colo. @ Hi-Dive
2 - Salt Lake City , Utah @ Kilby Ct.
3 - Missoula, Mont. @ Friend Friend Friend Fest
4 - Seattle, Wash. @ Comet
6 - Portland, Ore. @ Doug Fir Lounge
8 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Hemlock Tavern
9 - Visalia, Calif. @ The Cellar Door
10 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ TBD
11 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ TBD
12 - Tucson, Ariz. @ TBD
13 - Phoenix, Ariz. @ TBD
14 - Houston, Texas @ Walter's on Washington
15 - Austin, Texas @ The Mohawk
16 - Ft. Worth, Texas @ Lola's
17 - Dallas, Texas @ Good Records
18 - Oklahoma City, Okla. @ The Conservatory
19 - Columbia, Mo. @ TBD
20 - Kansas City, Mo. @ The Record Bar
21 - St. Louis, Mo. @ The Blue Bird
22 - Champaign, Ill. @ Mike n Molly's
24 - Chicago , Ill. @ TBD
25 - Chicago, Ill. @ TBD
26 - Detroit, Mich. @ TBD
28 - Brooklyn, N.Y. @ TBD
29 - New York, N.Y. @ TBD
30 - Woodstock, N.Y. @ Mountain Jam