Canadian rockers Hot Hot Heat will head home to Victoria, British Columbia, after a fall tour to work on the follow-up to 2002's Make Up the Breakdown.

"This is the end of this period of touring," frontman Steve Bays says. "We want some new songs."

Shows on the band's current tour, which kicked off last night in Las Vegas, will likely include at least one new one, "You're Making Such a Mess." "People get into it the first time they hear it," Bays says. "It's really bizarre sounding, so it draws people in right away."

Another new track, currently untitled, heads off in a different direction from the poppy, disco-punk sound of Breakdown. "It's got a Native American feel," says drummer Paul Hawley.

"It's got like a jungle, Oriental thing going on," adds Bays. "When we play it, it puts me in a weird mood. Any time anything affects your mood, that's a really good thing."

The band plans to hit the studio in the spring and release the album by next summer. "I don't want another two-year break between records," Hawley says. "We get off on being at home and doing a new song."

Hot Hot Heat tour dates:

9/17: Tempe, Nita's Hideaway
9/18: Ventura, CA, Ventura Concert Theater
9/19: Hollywood, The Avalon
9/20: Devore, CA, Hyundai Pavillion
9/21-22: Anaheim, CA, House of Blues
9/23: San Diego, The Scene
9/24: Los Angeles, Greek Theater (w/ the White Stripes)
9/25: San Francisco, The Fillmore
9/27: Sacramento, Crest Theater
9/28: Sparks, NV, New Oasis
9/29: Salt Lake City, Bricks
10/2: Minneapolis, Quest Club
10/3: Chicago, Vic Theater
10/4: Detroit, St. Andrews Hall
10/6: Philadelphia, Theater of Living Arts
10/7: Providence, RI, Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel
10/8-9: Boston, Axis
10/10: Washington, DC, 9:30 Club
10/11: New York, Irving Plaza

JOLIE LASH
(September 16, 2003)