Last week we debuted a live version of a new song called “Byron” on Pitchfork.tv, recorded last year at our Showpaper benefit at 285 Kent in Williamsburg. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out now, k? This afternoon we leave on a short tour from Philly to Austin. In Texas, we’ll be working on the recorded version of the track, among other things. We’ve also announced a bunch of new dates, including our first European shows outside of Spain (besos besos besos) in a long time. We have a few more surprises in store before the summer is done, but you can start making your vacation plans around us now.

We also have announcements about some new gigs in the Southeastern US (in April) and Europe (in May). A Seattle group called Shabazz Palaces is opening all the April dates ’cause excited us a bunch when we caught wind of their album last year. You can listen to their whole LP on YouTube. Get into it.

Ticket details will make it onto this internet web site eventually but for now check out our newsletter or else go visit what we like to call F’book.

Here’s the deal on this Caliiifornia tour: the album’s far from done. (Relax, just a couple hard weeks in the studio and you’ll be downloading it in no time.) Anyway, we’ve got a bunch of songs and we’re still testing them all out, trying to figure out our favorites. Honestly I think they’re all hits, but life just doesn’t work out like that. So come check out which ones you like best, and maybe we’ll even play a couple oldies.

We said maybe.

- Tues Feb 28: Santa Barbara, CA @ SoHO – Tickets | F’book
- Weds Feb 29: San Diego, CA @ Casbah – Tickets | F’book
- Thurs Mar 1: Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex – Tickets | F’book
- Fri Mar 2: Berkeley, CA @ UC Berkeley Lower Sproul Plaza – FREE SHOW | F’book

Anyway, the SoCal shows are with Wild Belle, who you might like:

The UC Berkeley show is free which you probably like even more. Thee Ohh Sees are opening that one up.

Here’s a hi-res for your flyer for xerox machine and here is one for your internet machines.

If you’re into robots you can Tweet

It’s time for some thank yous. Our final shows on the Strange Weather tour were sell out gigs in Washington DC and Brooklyn. Thanks! And over in England land, Saman Keshavarz’s video for our song “Jamie, My Intentions Are Bass” has been nominated for a UK Music Video Award. Thanks! (We hadn’t heard of it either but people tell us it’s a big deal, or at least a deal.)

Because of all this end-of-album-cycle love, we’re leaving you one last memory in video form. Here’s the story behind it so no one has to make a documentary ten years from now to find out: Some people got stoned one night and figured out the song “Most Certain Sure” matched up with an exploitation film called Stunt Rock as well as Wizard of Oz syncs up Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. It was cut by Ethan Vogt, the founder of Bring to Light NYC which happened in early October in the parks & waterfront of Greenpoint, as well as other projects which the internet can explain.

Voila! Video magic.

Next time you see us, expect even more capes & leotards, stunts & fire.

Well, okay, maybe the time after next. In a few weeks we fly to various equatorial climates because fall in the northern hemisphere is a bummer. It’s a short tour that will take us to Indonesia, Columbia, Chile & Brazil. At least half the band’s set should consist of new material which we’ll be working on while we’re down there. Details here. Worth a plane ticket? It was worth it to us. Some people called our last album our Berlin album, maybe this will be our Latin jam. You’re welcome Asia & South America.

We just finished up in Korea & California and there was the usual house rocking (or festival rocking rather) and the unusual hijinx we get up to. In Korea, we stayed in the futuristic ghost town of Incheon and ghosts don’t mind skinny dipping as evidenced by the photo above. A newsletter has just gone out announcing the upcoming shows as the final tour dates for this season of Strange Weather.

Sadly I’m sure you have now figured that we are only human. We can’t play everywhere and have to break now & then to make new records. Much as we would like them to, songs don’t write themselves. Right now, we’re swimming in demos and trying to pick the best ones for our next masterpiece.

Don’t u just transfer your adoration to a lesser band while we finish up these new recordings. We may just venture out to try out some new songs soon. Until then, stay sweet and we’ll stay !!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Artist Formerly Known as Nic Offer from the band !!! has officially quit to devote himself to street magic. See the video announcement above.

It can also be viewed here & here.

We all know these have been hard times for the music industry. This is sad news that may disappoint the band’s many devoted fans. They were set to play two sets at Bonnaroo this Saturday.

Still, we think the world will come to embrace this next stage in Nic’s creative evolution.

Like him on Facebook: Facebook.com/​Nicasso

Up there’s a mix that Allan did of stuff we’ve been jamming out to. It is in the popular MP3 format. Allan DJed some of the funnest afterparties we’ve been to this year (ours) and his skills are really coming up. This is perfect to bump at tailgate parties before our show, or tentside at the festivals this summer. Until the internet has gotten sick of it you can download it here or here or here or here.

Thanks for the memories Coachella, thanks for the memories Southby. The recent shows have been good times and there’s more to come (Sasquatch, Bonnaroo, Spain). For those who have missed the recent shows, here’s some highlights.

COACHELLA: “Must Be The Moon”

COACHELLA: “Jamie, My Intentions Are Bass”

DETROIT BAR

A few more snapshots from the recent gigs after the jump.

Photo credits:
- Top photo by Joel Antipuesto
- Bottom photos by David Andrako

Friday, March 18 @ 6pm – Other Music Party
@ French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos St

Saturday, March 19 @ 2pm – Brooklyn Vegan Party
@ Barbarella, 215 Red River St

Saturday, March 19 @ 7pm-ish – Mess with Texas
@ East Side Drive, 6th St & San Marcos St

Yup we’re doing it, and we’ve never done it, ever. And we’re already on a first name basis with it, calling it Southby, like we’ve already been there five times. We hear you’re just supposed to get wasted, get free stuff and wander around and say “OMG, hi. I haven’t seen you in 4ever.” So we’re practicing up for that.

In addition to the trio of free gigs on Friday and Saturday, our video for the song “Jamie, My Intentions Are Bass” by fellow Sac native Saman Keshavarz will be screened at the SXSW’s video competition. And while we’re in the Southwest we made stops in Denton and Mexico City.

Last but not least a tribute to a recently deceased great American of our acquaintance. We recorded our tribute to him in advance. We’ll be playing our cover of “Get Up” at all of our Austin shows.