Minus 5 ringleader Scott McCaughey is in London mixing the ensemble's fifth album, tentatively titled "Down With Wilco."

McCaughey recorded the aptly-titled album with Wilco -- singer/guitarist Jeff Tweedy, drummer Glenn Kotche, bassist John Stirrat and keyboardist Leroy Bach -- earlier this year, before doing overdubs with fellow Minus 5 members Ken Stringfellow (the Posies) and R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, as well as Christy McWilson and Rebecca Gates. "Those guys are just too good," McCaughey says. "I'm trying to drag them down to my level."

The album is the follow-up to the 2001's Let the War Against Music Begin, which was released as a two-CD set with Because We Hate You, an album by McCaughey's other band, the Young Fresh Fellows. "Down With Wilco" will be released this summer.

As for McWilson, she will hit the road starting March 29th in Portland, Oregon, for a short string of Christy McWilson and Friends tour dates behind her new album, Bed of Roses. McCaughey and Dave Alvin will be among the friends for the first two gigs. Brian Kenney, the Picketts and Eric Danheim will join the lineup for a March 30th show in Seattle. The tour will then head east with Alvin, McCaughey, Bobby Lloyd Hicks, Joe Terry and others.

Christy McWilson and Friends tour dates:

3/29: Portland, OR, McMenamin's St. John's Pub
3/30: Seattle, Tractor Tavern
4/3: Minneapolis, 400 Bar
4/4: Madison, WI, Club Tavern
4/5: Chicago, IL, Schuba's
4/6: Berwyn, IL, Fitzgerald's
4/7: Pittsburgh, Club Café
4/8: Arlington, VA, Iota
4/9: New York, Mercury Lounge

ANDREW DANSBY
(March 13, 2002)