Pitchfork

Following in the illustrious footsteps of such alt-rock guitarists as James Iha, John Frusciante, and that dude from Korn who found Jesus, the Strokes' Albert Hammond Jr. is heading out on his own. No, he isn't leaving the band (as far as we know), but according to NME.com, he's putting out a solo album.

Entitled Yours to Keep and due out in the UK on October 9 on Rough Trade, the disc features bassist Josh Lattanzi (Ben Kweller) and drummer Matt Romano (Adam Green) serving as Hammond's backing band as well as guest spots from Kweller, Sean Lennon, Strokes manager Ryan Gentles, Fountains of Wayne's Jody Porter, Mikki James of Thin Lizard Dawn and Sammy James Jr. of the Mooney Suzuki. Greg Lattimer of Thin Lizard Dawn produced the album.

Hammond's 'fro allegedly plays cowbell on several songs.

NME.com reports the following tracklist:

01 Cartoon Music for Superheroes (Goodnight)
02 In Transit
03 Everyone Gets a Star
04 Call an Ambulance
05 Blue Skies
06 Back to the 101
07 Bright Young Thing
08 Scared
09 Holiday
10 Hard to Live in the City

The Strokes are currently on tour in Australia, with Mexican and American dates in store for the fall. As previously reported, they'll be rocking the baby boomers while opening for Tom Petty in late September.

Dates:

08-04 Sydney, Australia - Hordern Pavilion
08-06 Melbourne, Australia - Festival Hall
08-07 Adelaide, Australia - Thebarton Theatre
08-09 Perth, Australia - Challenge Stadium
08-30 Monterrey, Mexico - Fundidora Coca Cola
08-31 Mexico City, Mexico - The Sports Palace
09-02 Mexico City, Mexico - The Sports Palace
09-03 Guadalajara, Mexico - Arena Guadalajara
09-10 Toronto, Ontario - V Festival
09-12 Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion
09-14 Chicago, IL - Charter One Pavilion *
09-15 Chicago, IL - Charter One Pavilion *
09-17 Ithaca, NY - Barton Hall at Cornell Universitys
09-19 Norfolk, VA - The NorVa
09-21 Gainesville, FL - Stephen C. O'Connell Center *
09-22 Atlanta, GA - Hi Fi Buys Amphitheatre *
09-24 Pompano Beach, FL - Club Cinema
09-26 Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl *
10-01 Kansas City, MO - Memorial Hall
10-06 Albany, NY - Washington Avenue Armory
10-08 Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino

* with Tom Petty