The Los Angeles-based hard rock quartet Fireball Ministry will soon return to the road for a series of shows alongside multi-platinum rockers Disturbed. The groups -- who performed a sold-out California show together in January -- will tour America and Canada for two weeks beginning on May 20. These will be Disturbed's final North American shows prior to their summer stint on the main stage of Ozzfest.
The trek marks Fireball Ministry's first tour of 2006. The group criss-crossed America no fewer than five times late last year in support of their acclaimed new album, "Their Rock Is Not Our Rock" (review). Then, two nationwide treks with CKY book-ended a cross-country jaunt with Opeth, Pelican and Nevermore; those were followed by a string of dates with HIM, Skindred and Finch (the inaugural "Viva La Bands" tour), and another series of shows with Clutch. The group also supported metal legends Judas Priest at a Michigan concert before capping off the year with a nationally televised performance on NBC's "Last Call With Carson Daly."
We took a rest, but now we're back to get you drunk and make you deaf," says the band's guitarist/vocalist James A. Rota.
Before the Disturbed run kicks off, Fireball Ministry will be headlining a hometown show at The Troubadour on May 4.
Also, the group recently recorded a rendition of the Joe Walsh song "Turn The Stone" for the second volume of Small Stone Records' Sucking The '70s compilation. In 2002, the band appeared alongside Clutch, Alabama Thunderpussy and Spirit Caravan on the first installment, covering UFO's "Doctor, Doctor."
Meanwhile, the video for "Their Rock..." standout "Sundown" has received regular airplay on MTV2's "Headbangers Ball" in recent weeks. It can be viewed at both the band's official website and the website of their North American record label, Liquor And Poker Music.
Fireball Ministry with Disturbed (except *) tour dates are as follows:
05/04 - Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour *
05/20 - Waterloo, IA @ McElroy Auditorium
05/22 ? Rapid City, SD @ Rushmore Auditorium
05/23 - Billings, MT @ Shrine Auditorium
05/25 - Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall
05/26 - Edmonton, AB @ Reds
05/28 - Duluth, MN @ Pioneer Hall
05/29 - Sioux City, IA @ Tyson Center
05/31 - West Kitchener, ON @ Element
06/01 - Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
06/03 - Quebec City, QC @ Colisee Pepsi Arena
06/04 ? Toronto, ON @ Docks.