Pitchfork

Though they just wrapped their large-scale U.S. tour with a sold-out homecoming show at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom on Halloween night, leather-clad rich-boys the Strokes have announced nine new tour dates. Beginning in Philadelphia on November 14th, the tour will take the little men down the east coast and through the eastern-most southern states, until they finally achieve orgasm in Norfolk, Virginia. After this, the band will attempt, self-consciously, to look hip while having a post-tour cigarette in Japan, where they'll be touring in February. European dates may be in the works, too.

But first! NME reported earlier this week that, with the insane hype following the band around the UK (it's worse there than here, believe us), the Strokes have already inspired a cover band. Going by the downright shameful moniker of Diff'rent Strokes, the band apparently recreates all the 11 songs from Is This It (12, if you include "New York City Cops") using a Casio-style keyboard. But Diff'rent Strokes are no run-of-the-mill Bjorn Again-- they've got a record deal! The incredibly prestigious UK label Guided Missile (anyone? anyone?) will, according to a post to their webboard, release their debut album on December 3rd. Yay.

11-14 Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
11-16 Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre
11-17 Detroit, MI - St. Andrew's Hall
11-18 Indianapolis, IN - Birdy's
11-20 Lawrence, KS - Granada Theatre
11-21 St. Louis, MO - Mississippi Nights
11-23 Nashville, TN - 328 Performance Hall
11-24 Birmingham, AL - Five Points Music Hall
11-28 Norfolk, VA - The NorVa