King Khan and the Shrines' What Is?! gets U.S. release, tour

He's a man whom Vice Records describes as “garage soul inferno - equal parts Lenny Kaye-era Nuggets, James Brown soul revue and Sun Ra freak session.” Consummate frontman King Khan (or is it Blacksnake?) will see his latest studio album get a U.S. release this April.

After releasing What Is?! on Germany's Hazlewood label in 2007, Khan has since accumulated a massive groundswell of international attention for his legendary live shows. One U.S. tour later, and it was all but certain that his "massive 9 piece psychedelic soul big band explosion" would wend its way to our shores.

But wait, there's more! For an event this auspicious Messr. Khan and his merry band of ne'erdowells will naturally be heading statestide for a few shows, including this year's SXSW festival:

March
6 - Elkton, Fla. @ Harvest of Hope
7 - Miami, Fla. @ The Vagabond
10 - Atlanta, Ga. @ Masquerade
12 - Asheville, N.C. @ Orange Peel
13 - Nashville, Tenn. @ Exit In
14 - Memphis, Tenn. @ Hi-Tone Café
15 - New Orleans, La. @ One Eyed Jacks
16 - Dallas, Texas @ Palladium Loft
17 - San Antonio, Texas @ The Warhol
20 - Austin, TX @ Emo's Vice Records SXSW Showcase

What Is?! is out April 12 on Vice Records.

Related links:
Review: The Supreme Genius of King Khan and the Shrines
King Khan and the Shrines on MySpace
King Khan on Vice Records

Got a news tip for Paste? E-mail news@pastemagazine.com.