Baroness Is Back In Business

Baroness has announced dates for a U.S. excursion that begins in May, marking the metal band’s first outing since its 2012 trek ended with a bus crash. Two of the members – drummer Allen Blickle and bassist Matt Maggioni – were so injured they had to quit the group.

Last week Baroness told fans that for Blickle and Maggioni “the accident necessitated a change that would prevent them from performing music or touring. …

“Simply put, some of the effects and injuries were severe enough to prohibit further activity in Baroness. While we would never have asked them to leave; we have the utmost sympathy for this situation, and in earnest, we wish Matt and Allen the best in the future.”

The group’s statement noted that the details about the departure didn’t come with hard feelings – and wouldn’t be made public out of respect for the privacy of everyone involved.

Photo: John Davisson

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Indio, Calif.

Baroness was on the way to a gig in Southhampton, United Kingdom, when its tour bus crashed Aug. 15, falling 30 feet from a viaduct. After initial reports saying all 9 passengers – the band and crew – were injured, the group posted an update online saying guitarist/vocalist John Baizley had broken his left arm and left leg, while drummer Allen Blickle and bassist Matt Maggioni each suffered fractured vertebrae.

Now, nearly eight months later, the band is ready to talk about getting back on the road. Along with members John Baizley and Pete Adams, the tour will feature Nick Jost on bass and Sebastian Thomson on drums.

Here is the schedule:

May 24 – Philadelphia, Pa., Union Transfer
May 25 – Baltimore, Md., Rams Head Live!
May 26 – Virginia Beach, Va., Jewish Mother
May 28 – Charleston, S.C., Music Farm
May 29 – Atlanta, Ga., Center Stage Theater
May 31 – Dallas, Texas, Trees
June 1 – Austin, Texas, Various Venues (“Chaos In Tejas”)
June 2 – Houston, Texas, Eleanor Tinsley Park (“Free Press Summer Fest”)
June 4 – Lawrence, Kan., Granada Theatre
June 5 – St. Louis, Mo., Firebird
June 8 – Grand Rapids, Mich., The Pyramid Scheme
June 9 – Madison, Wis., Majestic Theatre
June 11 – Indianapolis, Ind., Deluxe
June 12 – Cincinnati, Ohio, Taft Theatre
June 14 – Millvale, Pa., Mr. Small’s Theatre
June 15 – Huntington, W.Va., V Club
Aug. 4 – Chicago, Ill., Grant Park “Lollapalooza”)

Tickets for the headline dates go on sale Friday at 12 p.m. Eastern Time.

For more information visit BaronessMusic.com.