Long-reclusive Minnesota rocker Paul Westerberg [ tickets ], who last toured with a band eight years ago, has recruited a backing trio that will join him on a 2005 trek behind his latest album, "Folker."

Stops in seven cities in the Western U.S. and Canada are currently scheduled.

Westerberg's current group, known as His Only Friends, features a collection of musicians from the Minneapolis area, including bassist Jim Boquist, guitarist Kevin Bowe and former Prince drummer Michael Bland. The group debuted with an early November show at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis.

That gig, according to a review in the Star Tribune, featured a mix of Westerberg's recent material and songs dating to his time with trailblazing alt-rock band The Replacements.

"The only time the 100-minute set wasn't in full rock 'n' roll mode was during solo acoustic versions of 'Sadly Beautiful' and 'Crackle & Drag,'" reviewer Chris Riemenschneider wrote.

On the rare occasions Westerberg has performed live in recent years, he's played acoustic sets.

"Folker," the prolific singer/songwriter's latest album, hit stores in September. It followed "Come Feel Me Tremble" and alter-ego Grandpaboy's "Dead Man Shake," both of which were issued in 2003.