America's geekiest cowpunk's -- and railroad car enthusiasts -- the Old 97's are revving up for the release of their fifth full-length album, Satellite Rides (due March 20th on Elektra), with a mini-tour of the U.S. The sixteen-date trek will kick off in Plano, Texas, on February 16th and wrap up in the band's hometown of Dallas on March 20th.

As for the album itself, Satellite Rides continues the more-polished rock sound the band displayed on 1999's Fight Songs. The first single will be the lead track, "King of All the World."

The Old 97's tour dates:

2/16: Plano, TX, Ticketstock 2001
2/18: Snoqualmie, WA, KMTT Ski Day & Cardboard Derby (The Summit)
2/19: Seattle, Venue TBA
2/20: Portland, OR, Dante's
2/26: Atlanta, Smith's Old Bar
2/27: Arlington, VA, Iota
2/28: Philadelphia, North Star
3/1: New York City, Bowery Ballroom
3/4: Toronto, Horseshoe Tavern
3/6: Chicago, Shuba's
3/7: Minneapolis, Venue TBA
3/9: Boulder, CO, Tulaggi's
3/12: San Francisco, Foley's
3/13: Los Angeles, The Mint
3/17: Austin, SXSW (venue TBA)
3/20: Dallas, Gypsy Tea Room

BILL CRANDALL
(January 25, 2001)