"Equate the sound to how you feel when go to your nearest smokey bar, light a cigarette, order a bucket, kick back and kinda feel like you don't give a f**k. In other words, it's a real good feeling you get listening to these guys." -- My Old Kentucky Blog

"...raw, emotionally sophisticated songs." - Chicago Sun Times

Backyard Tire Fire have announced a September 2008 headline tour in support of their forthcoming new album, 'The Places We Lived', due August 26, 2008. It's the first long-player by the Bloomington, Illinois-based band to be released on independent label Hyena Records.

The 15-date Midwest run will kick-off in Chicago with an album release party and performance at Metro. Bloodshot Records' recording artists Ha Ha Tonka will open throughout the tour. Prior to that, Backyard Tire Fire will spend the summer playing select festival dates, including Milwaukee's Summerfest and Louisville's Forecastle Festival.

Download the title track "The Places We Lived" MP3 on the Hyena Records website

Distinguished by a rare combination of workingman authenticity and indie-rock eccentricity, 'The Places We Lived' is defiantly contemporary, while remaining true to its Midwestern roots. It's a collection spiked with the truth-telling salt of Hank Williams, the beautiful melancholy of vintage Tom Waits and the pop smarts of a Midwest Big Star.

On songs like "How In The Hell Did You Get Back Here," "Shoulda Shut It" and "Rainy Day," Backyard Tire Fire balance pointed songwriting with visceral performances and intriguing studio production. 'The Places We Lived' follows the band's 2007 studio effort, 'Vagabonds and Hooligans', a pivotal release that found the group popping up on numerous tastemaker blogs and year-end "best of" lists.

They'd go on to play over 200 dates last year, including opening slots and co-bills with Jason Isbell, Clutch, Lynyrd Skynyrd and William Elliott Whitmore among others.

Backyard Tire Fire are additionally planning East and West Coast tour dates for the Fall. December will find them back on the road with Reverend Horton Heat.

Backyard Tire Fire's 2008 tour dates:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to Backyard Tire Fire's Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

June 30 / Summerfest / Milwaukee, WI
July 3 / Naperville Ribfest / Naperville, IL
July 18 / Ravenswood Festival / Chicago, IL
July 19 / Donoroo Festival / St. Louis, MO
July 27 / Forecastle Festival / Louisville, KY
August 1 / Dunegrass Festival / Empire, MI
August 3 / Brown Baer / Elkhart Lake, WI
August 22 & 23 / Paulie's / Bloomington, IL
September 5 / Metro / Chicago, IL
September 10 / Picador / Iowa City, IA
September 11 / The Rave Bar / Milwaukee, WI
September 12 / The Annex / Madison, WI
September 13 / 7th St. Entry / Minneapolis, MN
September 17 / TBD / Columbia, MO
September 18 / Record Bar / Kansas City, MO
September 19 / Josie's / Emporia, KS
September 20 / Lucas School House / St. Louis, MO
September 24 / Grog Shop / Cleveland, OH
September 25 / The Basement / Columbus, OH
September 26 / Spin Nightclub / Indianapolis, IN (Sponsored by My Old Kentucky Blog)
September 27 / Southgate House / Newport, KY
December 3 / Mercy Lounge / Nashville, TN (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December 6 / Majestic Theater / Detroit, MI (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December 7 / Intersection / Grand Rapids, MI (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December 8 / Oneida Casino / Green Bay, WI (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December 10 / Ottos / Dekalb, IL (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December 11 / Peoples Court / Des Moines, IA (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December 12 / Cotillion Ballroom / Wichita, KS (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)
December 13 / Cains Ballroom / Tulsa, OK (w/ Reverend Horton Heat)

Backyard Tire Fire Official Website