2007 was a pretty good year for Pittsburgh, PA’s Black Moth Super Rainbow. They released the excellent, Plug Awards-nominated (Avant Album of The Year) Dandelion Gum (TMT Review) and received belated praise for their ‘06 collaboration with The Octopus Project, House Of Apples & Eyeballs (Graveface Records). They also toured a lot, including opening slots for The Flaming Lips.

While 2008 may have gotten off to a slow start (hey, it’s only February), things are about to heat up soon (not weather-wise, especially if you live in Midwest USA, where it may happen in mid-April, at best). The first project comes from BMSR member Ken Fec, whose solo album, Kongmanivong (Graveface), comes out February 23 under the name Power Pill First. Meanwhile, the winners of the Plug (which, by its name, sounds like a bad thing) will be announced March 6, with the double vinyl version (+bonus track) of Dandelion Gum available around then, probably in time for the band’s two-and-a-half week trek through the middle and western parts of the United States. If you are on the fence about going, keep in mind that the band has stated on their website that this will be the only tour BMSR does this year, because they "gotta work on a new record." An informed reader is a better scheduler.

Tourdates:

03.12.08 - Norman, OK - Opolis 03.15.08 - Austin, TX - Thirsty Nickel (SXSW) 03.18.08 - Hollywood, CA - Knitting Factory 03.19.08 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill 03.21.08 - Auburn, WA - Wonder Ballroom 03.22.08 - Seattle, WA - Neumos 03.25.08 - Denver, CO - Oriental Theater 03.27.08 - Lawrence, KS - Jackpot Music Hall 03.28.08 - Madison, WI - Der Rathskeller 03.29.08 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle

Kongmanivong tracklist:

1. YFF, Lou Pappans 2. Sagadraga 3. Fisticus 2:36 4. Vile 5. Man Ribbon 6. Honey, Stroke My Neck Beard 7. Chuckanut Drive 8. Contours Gaining Shape 9. Bland Hand Stand 10. R4eactor 11. Rychlo Never 12. Sloth 13. The Meat Tree 14. Sike 15. Power Out