Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson has dubbed his new band "Hookah Brown," and plans to break in the ensemble with an eight-date tour to launch January 21st in Baltimore.

In addition to Robinson on guitar and vocals, Hookah Brown features drummer Bill Dobrow, and a pair of British musicians, bassist Fionn O'Lochlainn and singer John Hogg. Hogg, formerly of Moke, also serves as co-writer (with Robinson) on the band's material. Robinson formed the band after the Crowes' announced their hiatus in January of 2001.

"I think towards the end it was just so fuckin' miserable," Robinson told Rolling Stone last year of the Crowes' break. "Everyone was fighting, especially me and Chris, and then Chris and Steve [drummer Gorman] . . . [Now] I can branch out and do things we might not have done, more poppy things."

The group has yet to sign with a label, but it will perform several new tracks including "Cut the World," "Stand Up," "Rude to Me" and "When You Will." "One of my goals is to keep Hookah Brown a four-piece," Robinson says. "I don't want to try and remake the Black Crowes. I want to take what I learned and try it in a different context."

Hookah Brown tour dates:

1/21: Baltimore, Fletcher's
1/22: Philadelphia, North Star
1/23: New York, Bowery Ballroom
1/25: Asbury Park, NJ, Stone Pony
1/26: Uncasville, CT, Mohegan Sun
1/29: Ithaca, NY, The Haunt
1/30: Northampton, MA, Iron Horse Music Hall
1/31: Cambridge, MA, House of Blues

ANDREW DANSBY
(January 9, 2003)