The Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am (file)
Photo: Getty Images

The Rolling Stones have historically tapped a mix of contemporary and veteran acts as openers on their U.S. tours, and their upcoming On Stage outing is no different. Among the bands who will warm up for the veteran rock act are the Black Eyed Peas, Maroon 5, Pearl Jam, the John Mayer Trio and the Tragically Hip.

With the exception of Pearl Jam, who performed with the Stones on their 1997 Bridges to Babylon outing, the other acts have not toured with Mick and co. before. The Black Eyed Peas will help kick off the upcoming tour on August 21 and 23 with a historic pair of shows at Boston's Fenway Park (see "Rolling Stones Announce World Tour, Unveil New Song"), according to the Stones' official Web site.

Maroon 5 will take over for the next two dates, August 26 (Hartford, Connecticut) and August 31 (Detroit). The Stones will be joined by both Maroon 5 and Canada's Tragically Hip for a show in Moncton, New Brunswick on September 3.

Pearl Jam are slated to play the September 28 show in Pittsburgh and the Mayer Trio are on board for an October 3 show in Washington, D.C. and an October 10 performance in Philadelphia. No other openers were announced at press time.

Recent Stones tours have featured opening sets from Sheryl Crow, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Third Eye Blind, Buddy Guy and No Doubt.

• Black Eyed Peas
• Maroon 5
• Pearl Jam
• John Mayer
• The Tragically Hip

Tragically Hip
Photo: Rounder

NEW YORK — Mounties, beer, hockey and the Tragically Hip?

Though the Tragically Hip have been a staple of Canadian rock for nearly 20 years, their name seldom comes to mind when Americans think of all things Canada. If the recent Canadian invasion, spearheaded by Sum41, Nickelback and Avril Lavigne, is any indication, however, the time may be ripe for the Tragically Hip to launch another assault on the U.S. music scene.

The first line of this recent attack began Thursday at Irving Plaza. The Hip played to a sold-out audience for the third show of their tour that began June 22 in Quebec.

The Canadian pride was thick as fans showed up in Leafs and Canadiennes jerseys and Molson T-shirts, anxious to see the quintessential Canadian rock band live. As the Hip hung out in their tour bus parked in front of the venue, opening act Mark Copely set the stage for his short set, and the audience prepared itself for the main attraction. Moments after he left the stage to minor applause, the anxious crowd broke into a fist-thrusting chant of "Hip, Hip, Hip," and could be heard throughout the show, in typical Canadian fashion, breaking into spontaneous "go Leafs go" cheers.

When the Hip took the stage, they were met with an overwhelmingly genuine welcome from an audience full of eager fans with an intense admiration for a band that represents the Canadian identity. Kicking the show off with "Are You Ready," from their new release, In Violet Light, the Hip played a 17-song set full of old classics and new gems, intertwining material from In Violet Light flawlessly with tracks from their most famous crossover albums, Fully Completely (1993) and Day for Night (1995).

The Hip spent the evening exhibiting the unique blues-infused rock sound that has allowed them to join the ranks of Canadian greats the Hawks (who later became the Band), the Guess Who and Neil Young. The Hip flaunt this talent with a stage presence that befits the classic Canadian rock band; a no-frills-just-rock performance that proved their intense staying power.

Beers in hand, the crowd danced and sang throughout the set with an unself-conscious demeanor foreign to the New York City concert circuit. The Hip echoed this lack of pretension, taking the stage in T-shirts-and-jeans combinations that clearly indicated the band's inner circle has no room for stylists. Even the stage lighting befitted the group's attitude, as the spotlight swept the crowd more often than it did the stage. And though the room was packed to capacity, there was little sense of annoyance at the lack of breathing room.

For Canadians in the audience, a show like this one was an anomaly among previous Hip shows. Known for selling out major Canadian venues, this tour is a conscious effort to go back to a grassroots feel, playing to smaller audiences. It is also an attempt to break down the barricades of the U.S. market.

After a set full of fan favorites including "Grace, Too," "Courage" and "Inevitability of Death," the Hip left the stage with a humble "thank you," returning to launch into a three-song encore that began with "New Orleans Is Sinking," off their 1989 release, Up to Here. Walking off the stage for the end of the show, the Hip left fans with gaping smiles, and the gates open for an easy entry into the American music scene. That is, assuming we're ready for them.

• The Tragically Hip

You don't need to hear it from a Korn Korrospondent (whatever happened to them, by the way?) to know that the band is "Here to Stay." Their latest album, Untouchables, is this week's big new release.

Nipping at Korn's heels are those lovable Osbournes, whose Family Album compilation includes a few oldies and some new goodies — Kelly's rendition of "Papa Don't Preach" and Pat Boone's TV-theme version of "Crazy Train" among them.

Former Tony! Toni! Toné! crooner Raphael Saadiq releases Instant Vintage, featuring D'Angelo, Angie Stone, and TLC's T-Boz, while They Might Be Giants fans say Yes to the band's latest effort, No!.

With renewed vision and a new label to express it on, David Bowie serves up Heathen, his latest offering, which features guest spots from Dave Grohl and the Who's Pete Townshend.

Wanna see where all the beef began? Check out The Difference, the compilation featuring KRS-One's first dis track to Nelly ("Clear 'Em Out") as it hits shelves as well.

And some tribute albums — to Disturbed and System of a Down — may be cool, but it seems like just about anyone can get this type of recognition these days. What's next, a tribute to Sum41? Oh, wait ...

Out Tuesday, June 11:

• Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Frozen Corpse Stuffed With Dope (Relapse)
• Gregg Allman - No Stranger to the Dark: Best Of (Legacy)
• Troy Andrews - Trombone Shorty's Swingin' Gate (Louisiana Red Hot)
• Arch Enemy - Black Earth (Century Media)
• Atmosphere - God Loves Ugly (Fat Beats/ Razor & Tie)
• AZ - Aziatic (Motown) Read about it ... AZ Shoots Video And Short Film Inspired By 'Training Day'
• Balligomingo - Beneath the Surface (Windham Hill)
• Joey Beltram - Form & Control (BML)
• Kristin Scott Benson - Straight Paths (Pinecastle)
• Black Crowes - By Your Side (reissue, American Recordings)
• Black Crowes - Sho'Nuff (5 CD Box Set, American Recordings)
• Blackshine - Soulless & Proud (Steamhammer)
• David Bowie - Heathen (ISO/ Columbia) Read about it ... Foos' Dave Grohl, Moby Are Bowie Buddies On New LP
• Jesse Brock - Kickin' Grass (Pinecastle)
• John Brown's Body - Spirits All Around Us (Shanachie)
• The Byrds - Byrds Play Dylan (reissue, Legacy)
• Caribbean Jazz Project - The Gathering (Concord Picante)
• The Clarks - Another Happy Ending (Razor & Tie)
• Concept - Culture Clash (Water Music)
• Cradle of Filth - Lovecraft & Witch Hearts (Koch)
• Dabrye - One/ Three (Ghostly International)
• Howie Day - Australia (reissue, Epic) Read about it ... Howie Day: Cutting Class And Kicking Ass
• Darling Kandie - People Next Door (Underground Inc.)
• Deathray - White Sleeves (EP, Doppler)
• Defragmentation - Self Construct (Underground Inc.)
• Dervish -Live in Palma (2 CDs, Compass)
• Daz Dillinger - This Is the Life I Lead (DPGRecordz) Read about it ... Daz Dillinger Lets The Dogs Out On DPG Album
• Earthride - Taming of the Demons (Southern Lord)
• Es Mac - My L.I.F.E (Let Me Live It!) (DIMW)
• Farrah - Moustache (Ark 21)
• Sue Foley - Where the Action Is (Shanachie)
• Chris Fortier - Bedrock (Bedrock)
• Nnenna Freelon - Tales of Wonder (Concord Jazz)
• Bill Frisell - The Willies (Nonesuch)
• G-Man - Avanti (EFA-CAR)
• Great Deceiver - A Venom Well Designed (Peaceville)
• Michele Greene - Ojo de Tiburón (Appleseed Recordings)
• Groove Assassins - Street Level Jams (Glasgow Underground)
• Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker and Roy Hargrove -Directions in Music: Live at Massey Hall (Verve)
• Hanna - Amen (Shadow)
• Hem - Rabbit Songs (Bar/None)
• Kristian Hoffman - & (eggBERT)
• James - Getting Away With It: Live (Sanctuary)
• Jorma Kaukonen -Blue Country Heart (Columbia)
• Keepsake - Black Dress in a B Movie (Fearless)
• Willie King - Living in a New World (Rooster Blues)
• Korn - Untouchables (Immortal/ Epic) Read about it ... Korn: The Untouchables
• Tim Krekel - Happy Town (FreeFalls/ Envoy Agency)
• Lana Lane - Project Shangri-La (Limb)
• Lathun - Fortunate (Motown) Read about it ... Lathun Drops Fortunate, Widens Neo-Soul Scope
• Little Axe - Hard Grind (Fat Possum)
• Sofia Loell - Right Up Your Face (Curb)
• Lucky Dube - Soul Taker (Shanachie)
• Lunar Aurora - Weltenganger (World War III)
• Magnetic - Lo Culture (Shadow)
• Malevolent Creation - Eternal (Crash)
• Mammoth Volume - Early Years (Crash)
• Marie Sisters - Marie Sisters (Republic/ Universal)
• Mars Ill - Blue Collar Sessions (Ill Boogie)
• Amanda Marshall - Everybody's Got a Story (Columbia)
• Ronnie McDowell - A Tribute to the King (Varèse Sarabande)
• Metalium - Millennium Metal (Crash)
• Montany - New Born Day (Limb)
• Mutabaruka - Life Squared (Heartbeat)
• New Found Glory - Sticks and Stones (MCA)
• Jeanne Newhall - Paris Nights (Marzipan)
• Nightmare - Cosmovision (Napalm)
• No Return - Machinery (Nuclear Blast)
• Origin - Informis, Infinitas, Inhumanitas (Relapse)
• Paradise Lost - Draconian Times (Koch)
• Peace Division - Nite:Life 010 (NRK)
• Phatzo - The Classics Vol. 1 (AMC)
• Quill - Voodoo Caravan (Steamhammer)
• Raphael Saadiq -Instant Vintage (Pookie/ Universal)
• Joe Sample - The Pecan Tree (PRA/ Verve)
• Santana - San Mateo Sessions (Universal)
• Seiko - Area 62 (Hip-O)
• Maia Sharp - Maia Sharp (Concord)
• Siebengurgena - Plagued Be Thy Angel (Napalm)
• Chad Simmons - Heaven Sent (Hitpros)
• Sinisstar - Future Shock (Geffen)
• Soul Parlor - Way We Talk (EFA-CAR)
• Special Skank - Ska Au Go Go (Cleopatra)
• Speedometer - Private (Lakeshore)
• Spice 1 -Spiceberg Slim (D3)
• St. John - Blast the Speakers (UBL)
• Ralph Stanley - Ralph Stanley (DMZ)
• Theorem - THX: Experiments in Synchronicity (Minus)
• They Might Be Giants - No! (Idlewild/ Rounder)
• The Tragically Hip - In Violet Light (Zoë/ Rounder)
• Valley's Eve - Deception of Pain (Limb)
• Various artists - Beatles Tribute: Number One Again (Lakeshore)
• Various artists - Body & Soul Vol. 4 (Wave)
• Various artists – "The Bourne Identity" soundtrack (Varèse Sarabande)
• Various artists - Brazilectro Vol. 3 (SPV-NAV)
• Various artists - Constant Elevation (Astralwerks)
• Various artists - Defining Tech (Orbisonic)
• Various artists - The Difference (Official Jointz)
• Various artists - Electronic Tribute to Depeche Mode (Vitamin)
• Various artists - Globus Mix Vol. 6 (EFA-CAR)
• Various artists - Halo (Sumthing Else)
• Various artists - Inside Traxx (Warner Bros./ Curb)
• Various artists - King Size Dub: Chapter Eight (Echo Beach)
• Various artists – "Lilo and Stitch" soundtrack (Disney)
• Various artists - Loud Records: The Early Daze (RCA)
• Various artists – "Love and a Bullet" soundtrack (TVT)
• Various artists – "Mr. Deeds" soundtrack (RCA) Read about it ... Dirty 'Deeds': Adam Sandler Croons Bowie Classic
• Various artists - Nova Soul (SPV-NAV)
• Various artists - Pickin' on Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Vol. 2 (CMH)
• Various artists - The Osbournes Family Album (Epic) Read about it ... Osbournes Unveil F — -ing Family Album
• Various artists - The Pioneers of Bluegrass (CMH)
• Various artists - The Reggae Tribute to Pink Floyd (Snake Machine)
• Various artists - Teleportation (EFA-CAR)
• Various artists - A Tribute to Disturbed (Big Eye)
• Various artists - A Tribute to Sum41 (Big Eye)
• Various artists - A Tribute to System of a Down (Big Eye)
• Various artists - Very Best of After Hours (Instinct)
• VHS or Beta - Le Funk (On)
• Wasp - Dying for the World (Sanctuary/Metal-Is)
• Widespread Panic - Live in the Classic City (3 CDs, Sanctuary)
• Brian Wilson - Pet Sounds Live (Sanctuary)

• Jerry Cantrell - Degradation Trip (Island/Def Jam) Read about it ... Jerry Cantrell Conjures Ghost Of Alice In Chains On New LP
• Our Lady Peace - Gravity (Columbia)
• Papa Roach - Lovehatetragedy (DreamWorks) Read about it ... Papa Roach Distance Themselves From Rap-Metal Peers On New LP
• Swizz Beatz - G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories (DreamWorks) Read about it ... Swizz Beatz Unveils Metallica/Ja Rule Track, Sets 'Guilty' Single
• Wyclef Jean - Masquerade (Columbia)

• Boy George - Night Out (Moonshine)
• Epidemic - Epidemic (Elektra)
• Play - Play (Columbia)
• Will Smith - Born to Reign (Columbia) Read about it ... Will Smith Drops Samples For Guitars On Born To Reign
• Sonic Youth - Murray Street (Geffen)
• Vida Blue - Vida Blue (Elektra)

• Aerosmith - O Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith Hits (Columbia)
• Cypress Hill - Stash (Columbia)
• Nas - From Illmatic to Stillmatic: The Remixes (Columbia)
• Jerzee Monét - Love & War (DreamWorks) Read about it ... Jerzee Monét: Workin' For Her Big Break
• Jessica Simpson - This Is the Remix (Columbia)
• Various artists - "Men in Black 2" soundtrack (Sony) Read about it ... Will Smith Preps Next LP, New Tracks For 'MIB2'
• Various artists - So So Def Presents: Definition of a Remix (So So Def/ Columbia)

• Silverchair - Diorama (Atlantic) Read about it ... Silverchair Craft U.S. Diorama, Plan New York Dates

• Lil' Romeo - Game Time (Universal/No Limit) Read about it ... Lil' Romeo Battles His Evil Twin On B-Ball Court

• Korn
• Ozzy Osbourne
• David Bowie
• Raphael Saadiq
• The Black Crowes

Canadian rockers the Tragically Hip recently interrupted the band's tour of the U.S. to shoot an appearance in the pilot episode of a new TV show from Fox TV, "Killer App."

• 10/9 - Albany, NY @ Palace Theater
• 10/10 - Syracuse, NY @ Landmark Theater
• 10/17 - Novato, CA @ High Sierra Music Festival
• 10/19 - West Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues
• 10/20 - San Diego, CA @ 4th & B
• 10/21 - Scottsdale, AZ @ Cajun House
• 10/22 - Tucson, AZ @ The New West Auditorium
• 10/24 - Denver, CO @ Lodo Music Hall
• 10/27 - Dallas, TX @ Trees
• 10/29 - Austin, TX @ Austin Music Hall
• 10/30 - New Orleans, LA @ House Of Blues
• 10/31 - Atlanta, GA @ Coca Cola Roxy Theater
• 11/2 - Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club
• 11/3 - Jacksonville FL @ The Fat Kat Music Hall
• 11/4 - Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues
• 11/6 - Charleston, SC @ Music Farm

• The Tragically Hip