Pitchfork: Deerhoof Launch World Tour

Deerhoof's 12 unique Friend Opportunity album covers may seem numerically impressive, but they're nothing up against 38 one-of-a-kind tour dates. As we speak, the Runners Three are preparing to launch a whopper of a trek-- one that will take them through Japan, North America, and Australia, all over the course of three months.

The tour, which kicks off this evening in Osaka, Japan, supports Deerhoof's forthcoming Friend Opportunity, due this coming Tuesday, January 23, via Kill Rock Stars.

And what better way to celebrate a sparkling new album than with an old holiday classic? On December 23, Deerhoof posted a cover of "The Little Drummer Boy" to their MySpace blog. The number was originally intended for a slot on the soundtrack to Justin Theroux's film Dedication, but upon realizing that "if you use it in a movie you have to pay five figures to some estate somewhere," he decided to lose it.

As previously reported, Dedication features music by the band, and will premiere at Sundance on January 22. And Deerhoof are up for a PLUG Award, so vote here.

Dates:

01-17 Osaka, Japan - Umeda Shangri-La *
01-19 Nagoya, Japan - Nagoya Quattro *
01-20 Tokyo, Japan - Shinjuku Loft *
01-24 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey #^
01-26 New York, NY - Irving Plaza ^
01-27 Chicago, IL - Metro ^
01-30 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall ^&
02-01 Seattle, WA- Neumos &@
02-02 Vancouver, British Columbia - Richard's On Richards &
02-03 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom &@
02-04 Eugene, OR - W.O.W. Hall &
02-11 Washington, DC - Black Cat $
02-12 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle $
02-13 Asheville NC - Grey Eagle $
02-14 Charleston, SC - Cumberland's $
02-15 Columbia, SC - Headliners $
02-16 Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits ^$
02-17 Miami, FL - Poplife ^$
02-18 Tampa, FL - Crowbar ^$
02-19 Orlando, FL - Social ^$
02-20 Gainesville, FL - Common Grounds ^$
02-21 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club ^$
02-22 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge ^$
02-23 Winston-Salem, NC - Warehouse ^$
02-24 Charlottesville, VA - Satellite Ballroom $+
02-25 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar $+
03-02 San Diego, CA - Epicentre %
03-03 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress %
03-04 Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room %
03-07 Oklahoma City, OK - Conservatory %
03-08 Dallas, TX - Gypsy Tea Room %
03-09 Austin, TX - Emo's %!
03-10 Houston, TX - Numbers !
04-01 Perth, Australia - Rosemount
04-03 Sydney, Australia - Annandale
04-04 Brisbane, Australia - Zoo
04-06 Sydney, Australia - Great Escape Festival
04-07 Melbourne, Australia - Corner Hotel

* with OOIOO
# with Hella
^ with Busdriver
& with Blackblack
@ with Leti Angel
$ with Harlem Shakes
+ with Flying
% with Macromantics
! with star Death