The Old 97's are getting back to what they do best: playing live. In support of their just-released fifth full-length album, Satellite Rides, the Texans are hitting the road with fellow twang-minded rockers Minneapolis' the Honeydogs.

"That's sort of where we flourish," says 97's frontman, Rhett Miller, "in front of an audience." And, according to Miller, Satellite Rides should prove a natural album to tour behind: "This record is definitely the closest we've ever come to capturing the sort of rock & roll show we put on."

Old 97's tour dates:

4/10: Minneapolis, First Ave. Bar
4/11: Milwaukee, Shank Hall
4/12: Madison, WI, Barrymore Theater
4/13: Chicago, Vic Theater
4/14: Detroit, Magic Stick
4/15: TBA
4/16: Pittsburgh, PA, TBA
4/17: TBA
4/18: Athens, GA, 40 Watt Club
4/19: Nashville, 328
4/20: Atlanta, Roxy Theatre
4/21: Atlanta, Variety Playhouse
4/22: TBA
4/23: Indianapolis, Birdy's
4/24: St. Louis, The Pageant
4/25: Columbia, MO, TBA (with Alejandro Escovedo)
4/26: Lawrence, KS, Bottleneck
4/27: TBA
4/28: Boulder, CO, TBA
5/12: San Francisco, TBA

BILL CRANDALL
(March 30, 2001)