When Black Rebel Motorcycle Club first released “Howl” in 2005, they stunned fans by stripping away their wall of distortion to reveal something unexpectedly raw.
Twenty years later, the band is revisiting this pivotal moment with a nationwide tour that promises to honor both their roots and their evolution.
Starting September 20th in Santa Ana, BRMC will embark on a coast-to-coast journey culminating in their hometown of San Francisco on October 25th.
For longtime fans, this represents a rare opportunity to hear “Howl” performed in its entirety – an album that marked a significant departure from the band’s previous sound while establishing them as more than just another garage rock revival act.
The tour announcement comes with additional news that should excite collectors and completists: a four-LP deluxe edition of “Howl” featuring previously unreleased tracks will accompany the anniversary celebrations.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club formed in San Francisco in 1998, with Peter Hayes and Robert Levon Been crafting a sound that drew from shoegaze, blues, and psychedelic rock. Their 2001 self-titled debut and 2003’s “Take Them On, On Your Own” established them as formidable noise merchants with a knack for combining fuzzed-out guitars with memorable hooks.
[embedded content]
But it was “Howl” that truly showcased the band’s range. Named after Allen Ginsberg’s groundbreaking poem, the album stripped away the effects pedals to reveal acoustic guitars, gospel influences, and folkier arrangements. Songs like “Ain’t No Easy Way” and “Gospel Song” revealed a band with deeper roots than many had initially assumed.
The 2025 tour will feature BRMC performing the album front-to-back, followed by selections from their extensive catalog spanning eight studio albums.
Supporting acts MIEN and Humanist will reportedly join the band for select dates.
B * R * M * C
For those who’ve followed BRMC from the beginning, this tour represents more than nostalgia – it’s an acknowledgment of a critical turning point in the band’s artistic journey.
For newer fans, it offers a perfect entry point to experience an album that balances the group’s noisy tendencies with their more contemplative side.
[embedded content]
As rock bands from the early 2000s increasingly revisit their milestone releases, BRMC’s approach stands out for its focus on the album that most challenged expectations rather than simply celebrating their commercial peak.
[embedded content]
It’s a fitting choice for a band that has always forged its own path, occasionally at odds with prevailing trends but always with conviction.
Tickets for the Santa Ana show are available now, with additional dates expected to go on sale in the coming weeks.
