Death Cab for Cutie follows 'Stairs' on April outing

Indie rockers Death Cab for Cutie have lined up their first live shows in more than 18 months as they get set to push a new studio album, "Narrow Stairs."

The Pacific Northwest crew will mount the short outing, which kicks off April 18 in Bremerton, WA, as a run-up to the band's late April appearance at Indio, CA's Coachella festival. The group has also confirmed a June 15 slot at Tennessee's Bonnaroo Festival. All dates are below.

"Narrow Stairs," the group's first studio effort since 2005's Grammy-nominated "Plans," has been given a May 13 release date. The album--the band's second major label release--was produced by Death Cab's guitarist, Chris Walla, and leads off with a nine-minute track, "Bixby Canyon Bridge," according to Billboard.com. The disc will be preceded by the single "I Will Possess Your Heart."

"I hope this album is a bit of a surprise for those out there that think they have us all figured out," said bassist Nick Harmer in a press statement. "We can't wait to share these songs with the world."

"Thus far it's pretty weird, and pretty spectacular; lots of blood. It's creepy and heavy," Walla posted in October on his recording studio's website. "We've got a 10-minute long Can jam, and had you suggested that possibility to me in 1998, I'd have eaten your puppy's brain with a spoon."

Walla's second solo album, "Field Manual," hit stores last month, while lead singer Ben Gibbard--also a member of electronic pop duo The Postal Service--kept busy last year with a solo tour.