The Mars Volta adds dates to 'Bedlam' trek

Progressive rockers The Mars Volta have added a number of dates to their upcoming fall headlining tour behind their current studio set, "The Bedlam in Goliath."

The expanded run--which now covers 12 cities through September and October--kicks off Sept. 12 in Columbus, OH. Highlights include a Sept. 17 show in New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom, and a Sept. 26 appearance at Austin, TX's Austin City Limits fest. Details are included below.

The California-based group--led by former At the Drive-In members Cedric Bixler-Zavala (vocals) and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (guitar)--released "The Bedlam in Goliath" in January. The new set follows 2006's "Amputechture," which featured guest performances from Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante on all but one track. The new album debuted at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 chart, selling around 54,000 copies in its first week in stores, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Recently, Bixler-Zavala told the Philadelphia Weekly city paper that he hopes "Bedlam" is the band's last effort for a major label.

"You kind of get into bed with people who don't really view music the way you do," he said. "Not everyone can be Fugazi and have this socialist control over their art. Some of us have to flirt with the big guys in order to take all the cash to get our names out there. Once your name is established, you can start doing your own thing and just borrow the parts of the system that you need--like distributors. I definitely come from the school that thought all that s--- was evil. More and more I realize money isn't such a bad thing--just another device to help you make stuff."

The group released four "webisodes" on its official website to promote the album. The videos features include several short conceptual films based around the album's lyrical themes, as well as live footage of the group performing on its 2007 Australian tour.