The Blockheads Return (Minus Ian Dury)

One of England's best loved punk and new wave bands, the Blockheads, are set to return with a new album on April 6. Staring Down the Barrel will be released via EMI.

Originally known as Ian Dury and the Blockheads, the group mixed music hall, punk rock and disco to produce such big U.K. hits like Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll and Reasons to be Cheerful (Part 3). Dury passed away from cancer in 2000, but original members Chaz Jenkel (piano, guitar), Mick Gallagher (keyboards), Norman Watt-Roy (bass) and John Turnball (guitar) have forged ahead with new members Dylan Howe on drums, Gilad Atzmon on sax and Derek Hussey on vocals. This is the the group's second post-Dury release.

The group will be on the road supporting the album in the U.K and France, including an April 30 show at London's Electric Ballroom with original sax player Davey Payne.

Also on the schedule for the group is the recording of additional tracks for the movie Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, the biopic of Ian Durry starring Andy Serkis. It is scheduled for a 2010 release.

Tour dates:

• 03/30 & 04/01/09 - Cambridge, United Kingdom - The Junction
• 04/02/09 - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Moods
• 04/03/09 - Paris, France - New Morning
• 04/04/09 - Cleon, France - La Traverse
• 04/08/09 - Tewkesbury, United Kingdom - Roses Theatre
• 04/11/09 - Brighton, United Kingdom - Old Market Theatre
• 04/15/09 - Basildon, United Kingdom - Towngate Theatre
• 04/17/09 - West Yorkshire, United Kingdom - The Venue
• 04/18/09 - Harrogate, United Kingdom - Ripley Castle
• 04/19/09 - Gateshead, United Kingdom - The Sage
• 04/22/09 - Swindon, United Kingdom - Wyvern Theatre
• 04/24/09 - Stevenage, United Kingdom - Gordon Craig Theatre
• 04/25/09 - Southampton, United Kingdom - The Brook
• 04/26/09 - Sheffield, United Kingdom - Boardwalk
• 04/30/09 - London, United Kingdom - Electric Ballroom
• 05/02/09 - Southend On Sea, United Kingdom - Palace Theatre