Milwaukee pop-rock quartet the Promise Ring will share their feel-good

melodies with fans in the East and Midwest throughout March.

The tour is the band's second since the release of its third album,

Very Emergency (1999). The trek will start in Champaign, Ill.,

on March 2 before heading south and coming full circle through the East

to the Midwest, according to the band's publicist, Hyper PR. The outing

will wrap up on March 28 in Cincinnati.

Formed four years ago in Wisconsin, the Promise Ring earned a loyal

following through extensive touring. Very Emergency, released

on indie label Jade Tree Records, features such sunny power-pop gems

as "Happiness Is All the Rage" (RealAudio

excerpt) and "Skips a Beat," and the slower, melodic "Things

Just Getting Good" (RealAudio

excerpt).

Singer/guitarist Davey vonBohlen, 24, said in October that the development

of the group's songwriting is partly due to the bandmembers' growing

closer.

"We've actually become a band in the last couple of years ... instead

of a bunch of people who are just trying to keep from going to college,"

he said.

Joining the Promise Ring on the trek are 19-year-old pop singer/songwriter

Rich Painter, a.k.a. Rich Creamy Paint (through March 16), and rockers

Pelé (March 17–28).

Promise Ring tour dates:

March 2; Champaign, Ill.; Blind Pig

March 3; Columbia, Mo.; Shattered

March 4; Norman, Okla.; University of Oklahoma

March 5; Dallas, Texas; Trees

March 6; Austin, Texas; Emo's

March 7; Houston, Texas; Mary Jane's

March 8; Baton Rouge, La.; Bayou/Off

March 9; Pensacola, Fla.; Sluggo's

March 10; Athens, Ga.; 40 Watt Club

March 11; Raleigh, N.C.; The Brewery

March 12; Richmond, Va.; Twisters

March 14; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Club Laga

March 15; Reading, Pa.; Albright College

March 16; West Chester, Pa.; West Chester University

March 17; Baltimore, Md.; Otto Bar

March 18; TBA

March 19; Hoboken, N.J.; Maxwell's

March 20; Providence, R.I.; Met Cafe

March 21; Amherst, Mass.; TBA

March 23; Buffalo, N.Y.; Showplace Theatre

March 24; Lancaster, Pa.; Chameleon

March 25; Columbus, Ohio; Bernie's

March 26; Detroit, Mich.; Detroit Fest

March 27; Cleveland, Ohio; Grog Shop

March 28; Cincinnati, Ohio; Sudsy Malone's