Rock-and-roll supergroup Velvet Revolver [ tickets ] is closing in on the launch of a small-venue tour that precedes this summer's release of the band's sophomore album, "Libertad."

Originally due to kick off May 4 at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, CA, the launch has been bumped up a day to May 3, and will instead take place at the Avalon in Los Angeles. Plans call for stops in a dozen cities by late May, including a recently booked engagement in Boston. Details are shown below.

During the run, Velvet Revolver [ tickets ] will preview several cuts from "Libertad," which is due in stores July 3. Paving the way for the album will be the leadoff single "She Builds Quick Machines," according to a press release.

"The feel, the energy of 'Libertad' is about the eternal struggle for freedom--personal and social freedoms," frontman Scott Weiland said in a statement. "The songs took on a life of their own in pursuit of groove. When it was nearly done, we realized the idea of freedom kept coming up. Serendipity hit when [bassist] Duff [McKagan] came to a session wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with 'Libertad' and [guitarist] Slash found a coin struck with 'Libertad.' It all added up to naming the album 'Libertad'--which is Spanish for freedom."

Produced by Brendan O'Brien, "Libertad" follows Velvet Revolver's 2004 debut, "Contaband," which entered The Billboard 200 chart at No. 1 and spawned the Grammy-winning cut "Slither."

"O'Brien really helped us challenge ourselves on a musical level," Weiland said of the producer's involvement with the new album. "'Libertad' definitely rocks, but there are a lot more textures and everyone really raised the bar on their skills. It just goes places the first album didn't go."

In addition to former Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Weiland and former Guns N' Roses members McKagan and Slash, Velvet Revolver also features former GN'R drummer Matt Sorum and ex-Wasted Youth guitarist Dave Kushner. The quintet plans to mount a June run on the European festival circuit, followed by a Canadian trek and a "big American tour at the end of the summer," according to the group's publicist.