ZZ Top news

Next Tuesday will see the release of Texicali, a four track digital collection from ZZ Top that offers the first new studio recordings from “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” in nine years. 

The four new songs, available from iTunes and all digital retail outlets, offer a preview of the group’s full-length album, as yet untitled, that will be released on American Recordings late this summer or early fall.

Those purchasing the four songs will benefit from a pro-rated discount on the purchase of the full album when it is released. All four tracks will be previewed through an audio stream at rollingstone.com on June 4 only.

These four tracks that comprise Texicali, like the forthcoming album, were produced by Rick Rubin and the band’s Billy F Gibbons and include “I Gotsta Get Paid,” “Chartreuse,” “Over You” and “Consumption.”

“I Gotsta Get Paid,” based on the underground 1990s rap song “25 Lighters,” is also heard on the soundtrack to Battleship. The title of the collection is a reference to the locations where the album was recorded. founding of ZZ Top more than 42 years ago and an acknowledgement that the band’s line-up has remained constant ever since.

“Based on the visibility of the ‘Gotsta Get Paid’ song, we decided to make available more of a taste of the album than just the one song,” said American’s Rubin.  “That’s the beauty of the new digital landscape; we can put out what we want when we want, in the best service of the artist.”

Notes Gibbons, “We were itching to get some new music out before the full album release; making available these four tracks seems like a good way to accomplish that most expeditiously.  Dusty, Frank and I are happy with what’s been accomplished in the studio so we figured we’d provide some hot and tasty ‘hors d’oeuvres’ before the main course is served this fall.”

The band embarks this week as the headliner for a six-week “Gang of Outlaws” tour that includes bills shared with 3 Doors Down and Gretchen Wilson. Thereafter, ZZ Top departs for Europe where they will be playing concert and festival dates in Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Norway in July.

Additional North American dates are planned for August and September. All of this activity underscores the fact that ZZ Top continues as a vital force in music today, more than 42 years after its founding and with its ever-enduring line up totally intact.

Gang of Outlaws Tour dates

May 25 - Manchester, NH - Verizon Arena*

        26 - Atlantic City, NJ – Trump Taj Mahal/Etess Arena*

        27- Mashantucket, CT – MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods*

June 1 - Winston Salem, NC - Joel Coliseum*

         2 - Fayetteville, NC - Fort Bragg*

         3 - Fredericksburg, VA - Celebrate Virginia Live!*

         5 - Richmond, VA – Innsbrook Pavilion*

         6 - Simpsonville, SC - Charter Amphitheatre at Heritage Park*

         8 - St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre*

         9 - Atmore, AL – Wind Creek Hotel & Casino Amphitheater**

         10 - Alpharetta, GA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre*

         12 - Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel**

         15 - Estero, FL - Germain Arena*

         16 - Orlando, FL - Universal Orlando Resort Music Plaza Stage**

         17 - Clearwater, FL - Tropicana Field*

         19 - Southaven, MS - Snowden Grove Park & Amphitheater*

         20 - Nashville, TN- Bridgestone Arena*

         22 - Baton Rouge, LA – Baton Rouge River Center*

         24 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion*

         26 - Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena*

         27 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre*

         29 - Hinckley, MN - Grand Casino Amphitheatre*

*ZZ Top, 3 Doors Down, Gretchen Wilson

**ZZ Top, 3 Doors Down