The mantra-tinged music of Kula Shaker returns to record stores this week as the British group released its sophomore album, "Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts," the follow-up to its acclaimed 1996 debut, "K."

On Friday, Kula Shaker will headline the second stage on the opening night of this year's Glastonbury Festival in Glastonbury, England -- above such prominent artists as Everlast, Smash Mouth, Pavement, Elliott Smith, and Gomez.

Next month Kula Shaker plans to cross the pond for a month-long tour of North America to support the new album and its first U.S. single, "Shower Your Love." (The band had previously released another track, "Mystical Machine Gun," as the first U.K. single back in February.)

Opening for Kula on its upcoming tour (through the July 14 date in Atlanta) will be New York City's Splender, who are currently enjoying an alternative radio hit of its own with "Yeah, Whatever."

The dates for Kula Shaker's upcoming tour:

  • 7/5 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House
  • 7/6 - Pontiac, MI @ 7th House
  • 7/8 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
  • 7/9 - Boston, MA @ Roxy
  • 7/10 - Philadelphia, PA @ Theater Of Living Arts
  • 7/12 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
  • 7/13 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
  • 7/14 - Atlanta, GA @ Cotton Club
  • 7/16 - Chicago, IL @ Metro / Smart Bar
  • 7/17 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
  • 7/19 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
  • 7/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Mayan Theater
  • 7/23 - San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore