Pitchfork

Like one of those weird summer storms that roll in out of nowhere, the new three-piece Howlin' Rain has broken loose and is flooding the countryside with its rambling rock n roll. Only the band's not exactly coming out of nowhere. Ethan Miller (frontman for Comets on Fire) provides vocals, guitar, and songwriting, John Moloney (of Sunburned Hand of the Man) handles drums and percussion, and Ian Gradek plays bass and banjo.

On May 23, the group released their self-titled debut on Birdman Records. According to Miller, this is music designed "to beat the steering wheel of your van to or sing along with while drinking whiskey in the bathtub on a Saturday night with your dog." But if the van's in the shop and you've already drained the whiskey, catch Howlin' Rain on their first-ever tour.

Don't run for cover, run to these shows:

06-02 Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
06-03 San Francisco, CA - Hemlock Tavern
06-05 Portland, CA - Towne Lounge
06-06 Seattle, WA - Sunset Tavern
06-09 Minneapolis, MN - 7th St. Entry *
06-10 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle *
06-11 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
06-12 Buffalo, NY - Mohawk Place *
06-13 Rochester, NY - Bug Jar *
06-14 Providence, RI - Living Room *
06-15 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge *
06-16 Philadelphia, PA - Khyber *
06-17 Charlottesville, VA - Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar *
06-18 Chapel, NC - Local 506 *
06-19 Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn *
06-20 Knoxville, TN - Pilot Light
06-21 Lexington, KY - The Dame *
06-22 Pittsburgh, PA - Garfield Artworks *
06-24 Boston, MA - PA's Lounge *

* with Warmer Milks