The little ol’ band from Texas is branching out and hitting amphitheatres across the States, starting April 25. Dates stretch through mid-June.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd with Double Trouble and Ted Nugent are opening scattered shows.

In addition to their original lineup – Billy F. Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard – the band will be sporting a package of new tunes. Mescalero is set for release April 15 and features 16 tracks – 15 of which are new, with one cover.

“The album has some of that old ZZ sound. It’s the same three guys playing the same three chords but we’ve gone in some new directions with them,” Gibbons said.

“Mescalero – what is it? Nobody really knows. It is strange and alluring and that’s a good thing. Try it – you’re gonna like it.

Actually, Billy, a Mescalero is an Apache tribe or person from Texas and New Mexico. But hey, who’s keeping track?

The band is a consistent presence on the road, having toured as recently as last fall in both North America and Europe. They also just headlined this year’s RodeoHouston.