Aerosmith Spring Into Action

Aerosmith, whose last studio release was 2004's bluesy, covers-heavy Honkin' on Bobo, will start work on a new album in late spring. "It's going to be just like what the White Stripes are doing, and like a couple of songs on Sheryl Crow's new album," says frontman Steven Tyler. "You'll listen to it and be like, 'I've heard that before' -- but you never did." The band hopes to release the new album by year's end.

"I want to take elements of those experimental things like we did on [2001's] Just Push Play," adds guitarist Joe Perry. "I always start with bits and pieces, and hopefully they inspire other people to throw things in. I have stuff that I didn't put on my solo record [2005's Joe Perry] that may be up for grabs."

But before they return to the studio, Aerosmith have some business to attend to: They've recently extended their Rockin' the Joint tour by five weeks. Lenny Kravitz has been rolling with them since October, and Cheap Trick will take over support duties beginning March 2nd.

Aerosmith are especially enjoying getting back to their roots on this outing. "We're re-establishing our foothold as a rock band," Perry says. "I think that got a little blurry when we came out with those last few ballads. Every year we go out, there's another generation of fourteen-, fifteen-, sixteen- and seventeen-year-old kids who are interested in hearing classic rock, and that's the backbone of our set."

Aerosmith tour dates:

2/3: San Jose, CA, HP Pavilion At San Jose
2/6: Sacramento, CA, ARCO Arena
2/8: Oakland, CA, Oakland Arena
2/10: San Diego, ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena
2/13: Portland, OR, Rose Garden Arena
2/15: Tacoma, WA, Tacoma Dome
2/18: Las Vegas, MGM Grand Garden Arena
2/20: Fresno, CA, Save Mart Center
2/22: Los Angeles, Staples Center
2/24: Anaheim, CA, Arrowhead Pond
3/2: Hollywood, FL, Seminole Hard Rock Live
3/4: Pensacola, FL, Pensacola Civic Center
3/7: Lexington, KY, Rupp Arena
3/9: Manchester, NH, Verizon Wireless Arena
3/12: Hershey, PA, Giant Center
3/15: Wilkes-Barre, PA, Wachovia Arena
3/17: East Lansing, MI, Breslin Events Center
3/19: Montreal, Bell Centre
3/21: London, ON, John Labatt Centre
3/23: Des Moines, IA, Wells Fargo Arena
3/25: Grand Forks, ND, Alerus Center
3/27: Peoria, IL, Civic Center Arena
3/29: Oklahoma City, The Ford Center
3/31: Omaha, NE, Qwest Center Omaha
4/2: Green Bay, WI, Resch Center
4/5: Saskatoon, SK, Credit Union Centre
4/7: Edmonton, AB, Rexall Place
4/9: Vancouver, General Motors Place