Yep Roc Records has announced plans for a US release of Radio Birdman’s Zeno Beach, their first album of new material in over twenty-five years. The album, which was recorded in late 2005 in the band’s native Australia, is expected to hit US store shelves on August 22, with the Australian release date set for June 24. The public’s interest in the oft-neglected 70s punk band was rekindled by a 2001 “best of” collection on Sub Pop as well as a recent string of tribute albums featuring The Hellacopters, The Bellrays and The Quadrajets.
All the fan fair led guitarist Dennis Tek and vocalist Rob Younger to reconcile after the band’s break-up more than two decades ago. The disc, which Detroit expatriate Tek produced, will be followed by Radio Birdman’s first ever U.S. tour. The month long trek, to be squeezed in between jaunts in Australia and Europe, will start in Los Angeles on August 30th and make stops in San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Boston and New York according to the label. Yep Roc promises Zeno Beach will be a return to form for the band, but insists it isn’t a “proto-punk museum piece, but rather [a batch of] vital new music entirely worthy of a place alongside Radio Birdman’s early gems.” A tracklist is forthcoming.
Tour dates:
08-30 Los Angeles, CA – Wiltern Theatre *
08-31 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
09-01 Seattle, WA – El Corazon
09-02 Chicago, IL – Double Door
09-03 Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre #
09-05 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
09-06 Washington, DC – Black Cat
09-08 New York, NY – Irving Plaza
09-09 Cambridge, MA – Middle East
09-10 – Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church
*with The Bellrays and Special Guests TBA
#with Mudhoney, The Dirtbombs and Easy Action!
Band:
http://www.radio-birdman.com/
Label:
http://www.yeproc.com/
