The Fun Lovin’ Criminals are back in North America this winter for what looks to be their first Stateside tour since 1999.

Dates find the group starting things off in Atlanta November 25 and wrapping in Hollywood December 16. The U.S. leg follows shows in Europe, which is where the Criminals have been hiding out for several years now.

Somehow, they caught on big overseas, especially in the U.K., and decided what the hey? Why not live there? And so they do.

The band’s Welcome To Poppy’s was just released in September. Not ones to rest on their laurels, they’ve decided that three new albums aren’t enough – why not make it five?

They’ve already recorded two soundtracks this year – one for “Headrush” and another for “Oh Marbella” – and are working on another two soundtracks, which will probably see release in 2004.

All this album releasing business is good news for the Fun Lovin’ Criminals’ new home. They’ve chosen Sanctuary Records for their label, DiFontaine Records, having split with EMI following Bag Of Hits.