The Mountain Goats return this spring with Beat The Champ, which, according to Mountain Goats main man John Darnielle, consists of 12 songs about wrestling. Of course, many of the songs may simply be using wrestling as a metaphor for various kinds of struggles. Then again, maybe not. He could just be following in the footsteps of noted musicians/wrestling marks like Bob Mould and/or Billy Corgan. Or Insane Clown Posse.
Beat The Champ comes out April 7, (via Merge: pre-order) and is available on CD, standard double-LP, and deluxe double-LP. The deluxe version will be pressed on limited-edition colored vinyl (gold and green) and include a bonus red vinyl 12-inch that features the non-album track “Blood Capsules” and a dub version of the same song on the B-side. Both the standard and deluxe LPs include a coupon for a full album download.
The Mountain Goats hit the road in April in support of the record, and play The Fillmore in San Francisco on June 1st. I suggest, in keeping with the wrestling theme, taking large signs to hold up at the shows. Some suggestions:
“Whatcha gonna do, brother, when the Mountain Goats run wild over you!?”
“And that’s the bottom line, because the Mountain Goats said so!”
“Mountain Goats 3:16”
“Finally… the Mountain Goats have COME BACK to (Your City Here)!”
The Mountain Goats on tour:
Apr 02 Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge
Apr 03 Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle
Apr 04 Savannah, GA – The Jinx (Savannah Stopover Music Festival)
Apr 07 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
Apr 08 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Apr 09 New York, NY – Webster Hall
Apr 11 New York, NY – City Winery
Apr 12 New York, NY – City Winery
Apr 13 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
Apr 14 Boston, MA – House of Blues
Apr 16 Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
Apr 17 Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre
Apr 18 Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
Apr 19 Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center
Apr 21 Louisville, KY – Headliners
Apr 22 Columbus, OH – Wexner Center
Apr 23 Millvale, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre
May 8-10 Atlanta, GA – Shaky Knees Music Festival
May 26 Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre
May 27 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
May 29 Seattle, WA – The Showbox
May 30 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
Jun 01 San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
Jun 03 Los Angeles, CA – Mayan Theater
Three Match Breeze 