Galway, Ireland-based rock band, The Saw Doctors, have mapped out a 16-city U.S. spring tour beginning Feb. 26 in Annapolis, MD and concluding on St. Patrick’s Day March 17 in Northampton, MA.

The group is touring in support of their 23 rare recordings release, That Takes The Biscuit (Shamtown Records), that showcases the variety of musical influences (pop, rock, folk and traditional Irish music) that make up their signature sound. Tracks includes studio recordings of the “I’m Never Gonna Go on Bebo Again” (Bebo is a San Francisco, CA based social networking site, much like MySpace), “She’s Got It,” early demos from the late 80’s of songs such as “Ways of the World,” and several live tracks from the December 2002 London Shepherds Bush Empire show. Just prior to their U.S. tour, The Saw Doctors are to be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 Meteor Irish Music Awards. The televised presentation and ceremony will take place Feb. 15 in the RDS, Dublin and will include a special live performance by the band. Previous award recipients include The Pogues, Clannad, Bob Geldof, and The Dubliners.

TFL and ATBS for ticketing professionals

This year marks the band’s 20th anniversary, which includes three Irish Number One singles, a UK Top Ten album and sold out shows in more than 10 different countries including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, Holland and the UK. The Saw Doctors have made more than 50 trips to the U.S. since their first tour in 1991, including the recent Summer 2007 string of U.S. dates where the band appeared along with The Black Crowes at the Irish Connections Festival in Canton, MA and at one of the nation’s premiere outdoor music events, The 24th Annual California Strawberry Festival.

The Saw Doctors itinerary:

Feb 26 Annapolis, MD Rams Head Tavern
Feb 28 Charlotte, NC Visulite Theatre
Feb 29 Washington, NC Turnage Theatre
March 1 Philadelphia, PA Fillmore at TLA
March 2 Bethlehem, PA Winter Classic Festival
March 4 Richmond, VA Toad’s Place
March 5 Alexandria, VA Birchmere
March 7 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
March 8 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
March 9 Royal Oaks, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre
March 11 Scranton, PA Cultural Centre
March 12 Syracuse, NY Mulroy Civic Centre
March 14-15 New York, NY Nokia Theatre
March 16 Worcester, MA Hanover Theatre
March 17 Northampton, MA Calvin Theatre

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