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

Some may remember two of the Pharoahs -- frontman Robin Wilson and drummer Phil Rhodes -- when they played under the Gin Blossoms moniker. The pair, along with fellow localites guitarist Dan Henzerling and bassist Brian Griffith, will release their debut, From Beyond the Backburner, this winter.

The album was recorded in Tempe with Gin Blossoms producer John Hampton and mixed in Memphis. According to manager Mick Brigden, about half of the 13-track album contains "some of the mid-tempo Gin Blossoms-style pop 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 Out About 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 the Sphinx is solved. (Blair R. Fischer)