'Here I Am' is released through Virgin, and precedes the band's new album, Black Tape, due for an official UK release on 28th March.

The Explosion used their Virgin advance to establish Tarantula Records, which has released records by The Bronx and The Distillers. How very punk of them.

The Boston quintet arrive in the UK in a few days, and play pretty much non-stop through 'til the end of March.

* Supporting New Found Glory
# Supporting The Ordinary Boys
+ Supporting Good Charlotte

February
9 Manchester Academy *
10 Leeds Cockpit *

11 Club NME @ Koko’s, London (supporting The Rakes and yourcodenameis:milo)
AND
London Garage (supporting Hot Water Music)
(Yup, that's two shows, one night...)

12 Birmingham Academy *
13 Bristol Academy *
14 Liverpool Academy *
15 London Hammersmith Palais*
23 Newcastle University #
24 Glasgow Barrowlands #
25 Manchester Academy #
26 Bristol University #
28 London Underworld (headline show)

March
1 Nottingham Rock City #
2 Brighton Dome #
18 Manchester Apollo +
19 Birmingham Academy +
20 London Brixton Academy +
22 Glasgow Academy +
23 Nottingham Rock City +
24 Bristol Academy +
26 London Astoria +