Pitchfork

Sure, there's blogs, downloading, and Radiohead changing everything about everything ever, but one of the most unexpected music-world happenings we've seen in the last couple years has been the way Tool subtly became pals with all these smaller, good bands. Touring with Isis and Mastodon? Getting namedropped by former Low bassist Zak Sally in an ABC News report? There's just something a little strange about it all.

Nevertheless, the trend continues with the naming of Thrill Jockey proggers Trans Am as Tool's newest tour BFFs on an upcoming round of North American dates. For Trans Am, the shows come sandwiched in between their appearances at the Thrill Jockey anniversary parties in London on November 11 and Chicago in mid-December.

Trans Am are still riding high on the release of Sex Change, LP8 for them, which came out via Thrill Jockey earlier this year.

Trans-North America:

11-11 London, England - Koko (Thrill Jockey anniversary)
11-14 Austin, TX - Frank Erwin Center *
11-15 Austin, TX - The Mohawk
11-16 Houston, TX - Toyota Center *
11-17 New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Arena *
11-19 Tulsa, OK - Tulsa Convention Center *
11-21 Denver, CO - Pepsi Center *
11-22 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
11-23 Casper, WY - Casper Events Center *
11-24 Salt Lake City, UT - E Center *
11-25 Billings, MT - MetraPark Arena *
11-27 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Credit Union Centre *
11-28 Calgary, Alberta - Broken City
11-29 Kelowna, British Columbia - Prospera Place *
12-01 Victoria, British Columbia - Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre *
12-03 Missoula, MT - Adams Event Center *
12-04 Everett, WA - Everett Events Center *
12-05 Portland, OR - Memorial Coliseum *
12-07 Spokane, WA - Spokane Arena *
12-08 Nampa, ID - Idaho Center *
12-10 Los Angeles, CA - Nokia Theatre *
12-11 San Francisco, CA - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium *
12-14-15 Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium (Thrill Jockey anniversary)

* with Tool