Stoner metal legends Sleep have returned with a dramatically revamped lineup, a brand new song, an extensive North American tour, and even a comic book. Notably absent from the group’s latest incarnation is longtime guitarist Matt Pike, whose departure marks the first official chapter of the band without him.
Rebuilding the band around himself, vocalist/bassist Al Cisneros has enlisted Dale Crover of the Melvins on drums and guitarist Bubba Dupree (Brant Bjork, Void, etc.) to complete the lineup.
The trio’s first offering, “Have Spacesuit Will Travel,” also marks Sleep’s first new music since 2018’s The Sciences. Speaking about Dupree joining the fold, Cisneros stated:
“The vibe of the first jam was obvious. It was blue sunglasses-era Iommi in the quality, and equally awesome is Bubba is also one of the coolest people I’ve been able to make music with.”
He also wished Pike “the best on his earth-bound maneuvers.”
A press release accompanying the song featured praise from Henry Rollins, who said:
“‘Have Spacesuit Will Travel’ at no time tries to pick up where The Sciences left off. There’s a considerable amount of new blood in the band… The three of them were able to make an album that can truly be identified as genuine Sleep music, yet with a sharpness and agility to the recordings.”
The currently available edit of the track clocks in at an appropriately stoner-friendly 4:20. While details regarding the band’s next album remain under wraps, it is expected to arrive through Third Man Records.
In addition to the new music, Cisneros has penned a comic book titled The Marijuanaut, illustrated by Dave Kloc and Arik Roper. According to its description, the story expands upon the mythology woven throughout Sleep’s catalog, introducing readers to Planet Iommia and its cosmic inhabitants.
Sleep have also announced an extensive North American tour, with artist presales beginning June 23 and the general on-sale following June 25.
Tour Dates
- 09/08 – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park
- 09/09 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
- 09/10 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel
- 09/12 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
- 09/13 – Austin, TX – Levitation
- 09/14 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre
- 09/16 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
- 09/17 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Grand At The Complex
- 09/18 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Hall
- 09/20 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
- 09/21 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
- 09/22 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
- 09/23 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
- 09/25 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
- 09/26 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
- 09/27 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst
- 09/28 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
- 09/29 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory
- 11/04 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
- 11/05 – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater
- 11/06 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
- 11/07 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall
- 11/09 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
- 11/10 – Montreal, QC – Club Soda
- 11/11 – South Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Ballroom
- 11/12 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner
- 11/13 – Hudson, NY – Basilica Hudson
- 11/15 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts
- 11/16 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
- 11/17 – Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre
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