I’ve never had the pleasure of visiting The Crepe Place in Santa Cruz, California, but I think we all know that crepes are the world’s most perfect food. It’s like a pancake, a burrito and the best wrap you’ve ever had all put together. You can get a crepe for breakfast, you can get a crepe for lunch or dinner. The planet is worth keeping around as long as crepes exist on it.

Thus, it’s pretty obvious that San Francisco‘s Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound and Sleepy Sun are just using their upcoming string of five tour dates together (it’s a solar thing) as a way to justify getting everyone together and driving an hour and a half to Santa Cruz for crepes. I know for a fact crepes are available in San Francisco, but maybe The Crepe Place‘s are just that much better. Judging by their menu, and their name, it seems to be a specialty.

I salute Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound and Sleepy Sun for their initiative and their taste in casual European-style cuisine. Were I not on the opposite end of the country, I’d happily join them for a pre-show crepe brunch next month.

Here’s the PR wire info on the tour:

Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound have announced a handful of California tour dates with fellow San Francisco natives Sleepy Sun. Assemble Head released their critically acclaimed third album When Sweet Sleep Returned in April 2009 on Tee Pee Records.

Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound w/ Sleepy Sun
7/21 The Crepe Place – Santa Cruz, CA
7/22 The Cellar Door – Visalia, CA
7/23 Spaceland – Los Angeles, CA
7/24 Pappy and Harriet’s – Pioneerstown, CA
7/25 Casbah – San Diego, CA

I think maybe because they didn’t have the same grandiose scope as Ancestors, with whom they share guitarist and occasional Obelisk checker-inner Justin Maranga, Los Angeles‘ Night Horse didn’t get the attention they really deserved on their first record. As we all know, there’s no fix for that except releasing another, and that seems to be the plan for Night Horse, whose sophomore Tee Pee Records full-length of classically styled rock is due the first week of August.

The band has uploaded the track “Good Bye Gone” to their MySpace now and will have a new EP for free download on their website come June 15. I’m sure there will be more on that later. Till then, here’s what the PR wire has to say about the new album, Perdition Hymns:

Celebrated Los Angeles, CA, rock ‘n roll band Night Horse has completed work on its sophomore album. Titled Perdition Hymns, the record will see an August 3, 2010 release date via NYC’s Tee Pee Records.

Recorded in East L.A. at Infrasonic Sound (Beck, The Mars Volta, No Age), Night Horse’s Perdition Hymns is an album made by fans of rock, for fans of rock! Produced and mixed by Matt Bayles (Mastodon, PearlJam, Isis), the record is a classic for current times, made up of all the peaks and valleys, textures and nuances that timeless records yield over repeated listens. Songs like “Choose Your Side” and “Shake Your Blues” demonstrate guitarists Justin Maranga (Ancestors) and Greg Buensuceso’s flair for intricately weaving guitar leads and rhythmic patterns, much like their classic predecessors Thin Lizzy or The MC5 did, while vocalist Sam James Velde (ex-Bluebird) invokes the ghosts of every classic rock singer you’ve ever loved by flat-out refusing to hold anything back; the singer teeters on the edge of total abandon while the band pushes him closer to the brink.

“Writing and recording Perdition Hymns was an amazing experience,” says Velde in a statement. “The collaborative effort and the productivity we all showed were intense, but fun. Everyone was so focused and enthusiastic. The songs just came to us so quickly. We’d start with a riff, then POW it was on! Same went for writing the lyrics. I’d get a few words or ideas stuck in my head and then the melody was just there. It was magical, really.”

Perdition Hymns track listing:
1. Confess to Me
2. Angel Eyes
3. Rollin’ On
4. Good Bye Gone
5. Black Clouds
6. Come Down Halo
7. Blizzard of Oblivion
8. Hard to Bear
9. Shake Your Blues
10. Choose Your Side
11. Same Old Blues

My theory on San Diego/Tee Pee Records epic instrumental rockers Earthless is they play the parts of the ’70s live jam everyone liked best. You know the part where “the song” was like half an hour ago and the band has gone totally apeshit on one guitar solo for like 15 minutes, Dio has left the stage and Ritchie Blackmore looks like the muse just gave him brain damage? Yeah, that’s where Earthless live pretty much all the time. Only thing is the song never kicks back in and Earthless just keep jamming. Forever. That’s how they do, and apparently, they’re about to head over and do it in Europe. Quoth the PR wire:

Earthless are set to kick off a two week tour with Russian Circles! The band will also be performing at the Roadburn festival in Tilburg, Holland.

Earthless w/ Russian Circles
Apr 6  Hafenklang – Hamburg, Germany
Apr 7  Patronaat – Haarlem, Holland
Apr 8  Thekla – Bristol, UK
Apr 9  Brudenell – Leeds, UK
Apr 10 Captain’s Rest – Glasgow, UK
Apr 11 Islington Mill – Manchester, UK
Apr 12 Rock City Basement – Nottingham, UK
Apr 13 Underworld – London, UK
Apr 15 Roadburn Festival – Tilburg, NL
Apr 16 Impetus Days Festival – Lausanne, Switzerland
Apr 17 Sidecar – Barcelona, Spain

Actually, I’m the one doing the posting, but the bands will definitely be the ones playing the shows, and that’s what counts. In the case of Ancestors guitarist Justin Maranga, it counts twice since he’s in both bands. Double duty! Ah, these kids and their rock and roll. Best wishes to both bands for safe travels. Here’s the info straight off the PR wire:

Ancestors and Night Horse are set to begin a tour in support of their April 15th appearance at the internationally renowned Roadburn festival. The tour will begin on April 9th in Essen, Germany. These will be the first overseas shows for both bands. Dates below.

April 9  Essen, Germany Cafe Nova
April 10 Arlon, Belgium L’ Entrepot
April 11 Fidenza, Italy Circolo Arci Q
April 13 Wien, Austria Arena
April 14 Munich, Germany Sunny Red
April 15 Tilburg, Netherlands Roadburn Festival
April 16 London, UK South of the Border
April 17 Plymouth, UK White Rabbit

I don’t know nothin’ about nothin’, but Brooklyn Vegan‘s down at SXSW in Austin, TX, this week, and according to them, Nebula has broken up. Here’s what they had to say about it:

Tee Pee band Nebula broke up, thus changing their plan to head to Austin to play five shows. Naturally one of those shows was a BV (Attitude Adjustment at Red 7). Replacement still TBA, and assuming the break up sticks, full tour cancellation still TBA too.

Given the hundreds and thousands of people who’ve played in the band over the course of its existence, should anyone really be surprised if Nebula called it quits? No. Should we all look forward to the original lineup reunion bound to happen in about three years? Most definitely.

More on this as I hear it. Here’s “Aphrodite” from last year’s Heavy Psych, live at The Ottobar in Baltimore.

Fabled West Virginian instrumental stoner metallers Karma to Burn are reissuing two out of their three albums. Bet you can’t guess which ones?

Hint: It’s the two that Roadrunner didn’t make them hire a vocalist on. Zing!

Tee Pee Records via the PR wire gives the lowdown on the vinyls, plus some Euro dates. Nifty:

Tee Pee Records is very proud to announce the vinyl reissues of Wild Wonderful Purgatory and Almost Heathen from legendary stoner rock pioneers Karma to Burn. Both albums will be released on April 6th 2010 and will coincide with Karma to Burn‘s April 2010 UK/European tour.

Wild Wonderful Purgatory and Almost Heathen will each come with a 10″ vinyl of bonus material including demos from the first album, newly recorded versions of “20” and “30” and all new artwork by Alex Von Wielding.

Karma to Burn UK/European tour:
04.01.10 DE – Karlsruhe / Substage
04.02.10 FR – Paris / Nouveau Casino
04.03.10 NL – Schijndel / Paaspop Festival
04.04.10 DE – Weil der Stadt / JH Kloster
04.05.10 DE – Hamburg / Molotow
04.06.10 DE – Berlin / Magnet
04.07.10 DE – Marburg / KFZ
04.08.10 DE – Köln / Underground
04.09.10 DE – Osnabrück / Westwerk
04.10.10 BE – Leuven / Het Depot
04.12.10 CH – Basel / Hirscheneck
04.13.10 CH – Zürich / Rote Fabrik
04.14.10 IT – Milano / Circolo A.R.C.I. Magnolia
04.15.10 CH – Bern / ISC
04.16.10 NL – Tilburg / Roadburn Festival
04.19.10 UK – Newcastle / Academy 2
04.20.10 UK – Glasgow / Cathouse
04.21.10 UK – Manchester / Academy 3
04.22.10 UK – Sheffield / Corporation
04.23.10 UK – Dublin / Academy 2
04.24.10 UK – Birmingham / Academy 2
04.25.10 UK – Bristol / Academy 2
04.26.10 UK – London / Garage
04.27.10 UK – Southampton / Talking Heads
04.30.10 GR – Thessaloniki / 8 Ball club
05.01.10 GR – Athens /AN Club

Hard-hitting psychedelic fuzz mavens Naam are heading out on the road for the Spring, which, if you think about it, is a great time to do it. Everything’s blooming, everyone wants to get out and screw, beers are had, memories are made and repressed. Enjoyment all around. Dig this lofty PR wire update:

Brooklyn, NY heavy psych rock trio Naam has announced spring, 2010 US tour dates in support of its critically acclaimed, self-titled debut. The fast-rising buzz band will team up with heavy rockers Radio Moscow for a month long trek set to launch on March 31 in San Francisco, CA. The tour is expected to criss-cross the country and will run through early May.

When asked for comment on the just-announced tour, Naam bassist John Bundy exclaimed, “We can’t wait to hit the road and fuck shit up. Let’s do it.” Naam has also just announced multiple live appearances as part of the 2010 SXSW Music Festival, set for March 17-20 in Austin, TX.

NAAM tour dates:
February 28 Brooklyn, New York Pysch Fest @ Glasslands
March 13 Brooklyn, New York Music Hall of Williamsburg (w/ Priestess)
March 6 Brooklyn, New York Union Pool (w/ Liturgy)
March 17 Austin, Texas Mohawk (as part of the ACTION! PR SXSW Showcase w/ High on Fire, Priestess, Zoroaster, The Gates of Slumber, Mondo Drag and more)
March 18 Austin, Texas Emo’s (Full Metal Texas)
March 18 Austin, Texas Habana Calle 6 (as part of the Tee Pee Records SXSW Showcase
March 19 Austin, Texas Liberty Bar
March 20 Austin, Texas Red 7
March 21 Dallas, Texas The Double Wide (as part of Bro Fest 2010)

Naam / Radio Moscow US Tour:
March 31 San Francisco, California Elbo Room
April 1 Los Angeles, California Spaceland
April 3 Albuquerque, New Mexico Burt’s Tiki Lounge
April 5 Denton, Texas Rubber Gloves
April 6 Austin, Texas Emo’s
April 7 New Orleans, Louisiana Saturn Bar
April 8 Atlanta, Georgia Lenny’s Bar
April 9 Savannah, Georgia The Jinx
April 10 Charlotte, North Carolina Casbah @ Tremont Music Hall
April 11 Richmond, Virginia The Triple
April 12 Baltimore, Maryland Golden West
April 13 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania North Star Bar
April 14 New York, New York Cake Shop
April 16 Rochester, New York Bug Jar
April 17 Columbus, Ohio The Summit
April 18 Cleveland, Ohio Beachland Tavern
April 19 Newport, Kentucky Southgate House
April 20 Chicago, Illinois Double Door
April 21 St. Paul, Minnesota Turf Club
April 22 Ames, Iowa DG’s Tap House
April 24 Memphis, Tennessee Hi Tone Cafe
April 26 Lawrence, Kansas Replay Lounge
April 27 Denver, Colorado Larimer Lounge
April 28 Salt Lake City, Utah Club Vegas
April 30 Seattle, Washington Comet Tavern
May 1 Portland, Oregon East End
May 22 Brooklyn, New York NY Eye & Ear Festival

Nebula have a buttload of touring ahead of them (and behind them, for that matter), but as they head out for their latest run of US dates, they’ll be bringing along a new split 7″ with labelmates Quest for Fire. Actually, they’ll be bringing the band too. Brooklyn Vegan was granted the honor of debuting the mp3 of the new Nebula song, “The Perfect Rapture,” and because I can, I’m posting it here. Please find it below with a whole bunch of PR wire info about Tee Pee Records‘ SXSW showcase and Nebula‘s upcoming tour.

Nebula – The Perfect Rapture

Tee Pee Records is proud to announce that our 2010 SXSW Showcase will take place on Thursday, March 18th at Habana Calle 6. This will be Tee Pee‘s biggest showcase yet and will take place on two stages and feature thirteen bands. Lineup details are below.

Stage 1 (outside): Priestess, Iron Age, Nebula, Naam, Quest for Fire, Kreisor, The Atomic Bitchwax

Stage 2 (inside): Sweet Apple, Imaad Wasif, Spindrift, Hopewell, Jason Simon (of Dead Meadow), The Main Street Gospel

Nebula will embark on a full US Tour beginning on March 16th in Houston, TX. Tee Pee Records labelmates Quest For Fire will support the band on the first leg and The Willowz and Lionize will support Nebula on the second leg of the tour.

Nebula US Tour:
03/16/10 Channel/Meridian, Houston TX w/Torche
03/18/10 Tee Pee Records SXSW Showcase @ Habana Calle 6 w/ Priestess, Iron Age and more!
03/19/10 SXSW TBA
03/20/10 SXSW TBA
03/21/10 SXSW TBA
03/22/10 Saturn Bar, New Orleans LA w/ASG
03/23/10 Lenny’s, Atlanta GA w/Quest For Fire
03/24/10 Rocket Club, Asheville NC w/Quest For Fire
03/25/10 V Club, Huntington WV w/Quest For Fire
03/26/10 Johnny Brendas, Philadelphia PA w/Quest For Fire
03/27/10 Pianos, New York NY w/Quest For Fire
03/28/10 Wreck Room, Toronto ON w/Quest For Fire
03/29/10 Bug Jar, Rochester NY w/Quest For Fire
03/30/10 Grog Shop, Cleveland OH w/Quest For Fire
03/31/10 Summit, Columbus OH w/Quest For Fire
04/01/10 Double Door, Chicago IL w/The Willowz, Quest For Fire, Lionize
04/02/10 Firebird, St. Louis MO w/The Willowz, Lionize
04/03/10 Hi Tone, Memphis TN w/The Willowz, Lionize
04/04/10 The Conservatory, Oklahoma City OK w/Lionize
04/05/10 Jackpot Saloon, Lawrence KS w/The Willowz, Lionize
04/06/10 3 Kings Tavern, Denver CO w/The Willowz, Lionize
04/07/10 Club Vegas, Salt Lake City UT w/The Willowz, Lionize
04/09/10 Studio Seven, Seattle WA w/The Willowz, Lionize
04/10/10 Dante’s, Portland OR w/The Willowz, Lionize
04/12/10 Thee Parkside, San Francisco CA w/The Willowz, Lionize
04/15/10 Spaceland, Los Angeles CA w/The Willowz, Lionize