Several thousand years ago, Ramses-the pharaoh, not the condom-ruled thedeserts of ancient Egypt. Only now has another batch of pharaohs, this timeinexplicably spelled Pharoahs, come forth from another desert-Tempe, Ariz.,to be exact-to wreak havoc on the world ... actually, they're just gonnarelease an album, do some touring and maybe sign a few autographs in theprocess.

Some may remember two of the Pharoahs-frontman Robin Wilson and drummerPhil Rhodes-when they played under the Gin Blossoms moniker. The pair,along with fellow localites guitarist Dan Henzerling and bassist BrianGriffith, will release their debut, From Beyond the Backburner, thiswinter. The album was recorded in Tempe with Gin Blossoms producer JohnHampton and mixed in Memphis. According to manager Mick Brigden, about half ofthe thirteen-track album contains "some of the mid-tempo Gin Blossoms-stylepop material," while the rest rocks a little harder.

Brigden says the band may play some obscure Gin Blossoms songs on the road,but don't expect Wilson and Co. to churn out "Hey Jealousy" or "Found OutAbout You" for Gin singalongs. However, he says, the Pharoahs "will [be]touring as long as it takes to sell the record." Or until the mystery of theSphinx is solved.

BLAIR R. FISCHER