Kings of Leon ready new album, plot U.S. tour

Tennessee rockers Kings of Leon return to the scene this winter with their sophomore album and a supporting tour.

The group plans to hit the road a full month before the new set--titled "Aha Shake Heartbreak"--lands in stores, beginning with a Jan. 21 performance in Park City, UT; a series of late-January West Coast shows follow before the group heads to Japan for a handful of early February performances.

A lengthier stretch of U.S. shows kicks off with a mid-February, two-night stand on the Kings' home turf of Nashville, and includes a Feb. 22 performance in New York City; "Aha Shake Heartbreak," the follow-up to 2003's "Youth and Young Manhood," is scheduled for release that same day.

While Kings of Leon have found success in the U.S., their popularity is significantly greater overseas--particularly in Britain, where "Youth and Young Manhood" is nearing double-platinum status; "Aha Shake Heartbreak" was released in that country in November.

The material on "Aha Shake Heartbreak" reflects the "life-changing, often traumatic experiences of the 18 months that preceded the album's creation," during which the band "swiftly rose from sheltered rural obscurity to bona fide stardom overseas," according to a press release, which describes the set as a collection of "twisted tales [that] compellingly confront the darker side of fame, surveying the personal toll of debauchery, overindulgence and fast living."

Kings of Leon--brothers Caleb Followill (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Nathan Followill (drums) and Jared Followill (bass), and first cousin Matthew Followill (lead guitar)--enlisted "Youth and Young Manhood" producer Ethan Johns to oversee the new set. Noted songwriter/producer Angelo also had a hand in the project.

TOUR DATES
 tour dates and tickets
January 2005
21 - Park City, UT - Harry O's
25 - Seattle, WA - Neumo's
26 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater
28 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
29, 30 - West Hollywood, CA - The Roxy Theatre
31 - San Diego, CA - Canes

February 2005
17, 18 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In
22 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
23 - New York, NY - Webster Hall
25 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
26 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
27 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club

March 2005
2 - Toronto, Ontario - Opera House
3 - Chicago, IL - Metro/Smart Bar
5 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Cafe
8 - Saint Louis, MO - Mississippi Nights
12 - Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa
13 - Dallas, TX - Gypsy Tea Room
17 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
18 - Atlanta, GA - Coca Cola Roxy Theatre
19 - Birmingham, AL - Workplay Theatre

 tour dates and tickets
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