The Roots bring 'Phrenology' to the masses

January 16, 2003 02:34 PM

LiveDaily Senior Writer

The Roots [ tickets ], known as one of rap's hardest-touring acts, have laid plans to spend much of the winter on the road.

The Philadelphia-based sextet is backing its November 2002 release, "Phrenology," which debuted at No. 28 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Included on the album is the hit "Break You Off," which features R&B singer Musiq.

The "Break You Off" music video is posted at the group's official website.

Unlike most of their rap contemporaries--who rely upon samples, drum tracks and other widely used methods--the Roots play their own instruments. Their musicianship has won them critical praise, particularly for their live performances.

Band drummer ?uestlove addresses in the Roots' record-label biography his group's penchant for playing in front of an audience.

"As you know by now, touring is our bread and butter," he said. "And since we do it so much (250 nights a year are spent devoted to the road), I think that's what gives us an advantage when performing."

"Phrenology" is the follow up to 1999's "Things Fall Apart." The latter album's track "You Got Me," which features R&B singer Erykah Badu, took the 1999 GRAMMY^® award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

[Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who verify its accuracy as of the publication time of this story. Changes may occur before tickets go on sale. Check with official artist websites, ticketing sources and venues for late updates.]

January 2003
31 - Montreal, Quebec - Metropolis

February 2003
1 - Toronto, Ontario - Kool Haus
2 - Detroit, MI - State Theatre
3 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Laga
6 - Knoxville, TN - Tennessee Theatre
8 - Cinncinatti, OH - Bogarts
9 - Cleveland, OH - Odeon
11 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue
12 - Madison, WI - Orpheum Theatre
13 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
14 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
15 - Lawrence, KS - Abe And Jake's Landing
16 - Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium
17 - Salt Lake, UT - Harry O's
19 - Seattle, WA - Showbox
20 - Vancouver, British Columbia - The Commodore
21 - Portland, OR - Roseland
22 - Eugene, OR - McDonald Theatre
23 - San Francisco, CA - Filmore
26 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues
27, 28 - West Hollywood, CA - House of Blues

March 2003
1 - West Hollywood, CA - House of Blues
2 - San Diego, CA - Belly Up
3 - Phoenix, AZ - Club Rio
4 - Phoenix, AZ - Vallere
6 - Alberquerque, NM - Sunshine
7 - Dallas, TX - Gypsy
8 - Austin, TX - Stubbs
9 - Houston, TX - Numbers
10 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues

Aprill 2003
26 - Burlington, VT - Patrick Gymnasium