The Eels launch their international tour with three dates in Southern California starting June 17. They then head on over to Europe and the U.K. where they’ll camp out through July 7. After that, it’s back to the States for a monthlong tour of theatres.

Shootenanny!, the Eels’ latest album, just hit shelves this month and follows the band’s hit disc, Souljacker. Eels mastermind Mark Oliver Everett, a.k.a. E, has also done some side work, scoring the film “Levity.”

There were rumors that MC Honky – an affiliate of the Eels – would join the band on their Tour Of Duty, but that doesn’t appear to be happening.

For the unacquainted, MC Honky is a “reclusive remix wizard who cares little for the show business and its trappings,” according to the Eels Web site. Hmmm. Sounds suspiciously like E himself.

Honky is reported to be angry over the U.K. press, in particular, for crediting his album I Am The Messiah to E. Thus, relations between the two are much strained, even to the point of E saying, “I hope MC Honky dies of SARS.” Man, that’s harsh.

Needless to say, E’s longstanding invitation to MC Honky of joining the Eels on tour seems to remain unanswered and chances of Honky joining the Eels on the road this time around are slim.