In the newfangled tradition of prefacing an album release with an intimate club excursion, the Verve Pipe will embark on a six-week tour of venues they played when they were merely freshmen.| The tour will launch May 19 in Pontiac, Mich., and conclude July 2 in Chicago, eighteen days before the release of The Verve Pipe. The first single, either "Hero" or "Generations," will hit radio on June 22. To follow is the complete itinerary for the Verve Pipe club tour:

May 19: Pontiac, Mich., 7th House
May 20: Cleveland, the Odeon
May 21: Columbus, Ohio, Ludlow's
May 22: Indianapolis, Vogue Theater
May 26: Omaha, Ranch Bowl
May 27: Green Bay, Riverside Ballroom
May 28: Minneapolis, Fine Line Music Cafe
May 31: Denver, Bluebird Theater
June 3: Seattle, Show Box Theater
June 4: Portland, Ore., Roseland Theater
June 11: Los Angeles, House of Blues
June 17: Dallas, Trees
June 18: Nashville, Exit/In
June 19: Atlanta, Cotton Club
June 23: Washington, D.C., 9:30 Club
June 24: Philadelphia, Theater of Living Arts
June 25: New York, Bowery Ballroom
June 26: Boston, Paradise Rock Club
June 27: New Haven, Conn., Toad's Place
June 30: Milwaukee, Summerfest/Lazer Stage
July 1: St. Louis, Karma
July 2: Chicago, Double Door

BLAIR R. FISCHER(April 19, 1999)