Low to tour with Radiohead

Turns out that not long after bassist Zak Sally left Low (see below), the band got a call from Radiohead: Now the great Duluth band is joining the great British band on a European tour in July.

"It's kind of ironic that he's only been out of the band for two weeks and then this dream came true," says Sparhawk. "Now I feel bad that I told you this."

Sparhawk said that a couple days ago, actually: I waited to report it until he talked to Sally. The newer news is that Karla Schickele, of the New York band Ida, will fill in on the tour. Among those not completely alienated by "Classical Music Is Fascist" below, Schickele's name might be familiar: She's the daughter of composer and classical music parodist Peter Schickele, of P.D.Q. Bach fame. (All-time favorite P.D.Q. Bach moment: Beethoven's Fifth called like a football game--Schickele even sounds like John Madden!)

Meanwhile, a paired-down Low plays an early 18+ show with Haley Bonar (fresh off a breakthough Kitty Cat Klub performance last weekend) and others tomorrow (Thursday, May 1) at Fitger�s Spirit of the North Theatre in Duluth. The show is part of the massive weekend Homegrown Festival just two hours to our north--check out these summaries of all the participating bands in today's Ripsaw).

Between that, Cinco de Mayo, and the May Day festival, the first weekend of May is its traditional insane self...