Tragically Hip tackle the US this fall

The Tragically Hip push on into their second quarter century as a band with a slew of new North American fall dates, following a previously announced summer tour.

The much-awarded Canadian quintet, referred to in some press reports as the "U2 of Canada," will kick off an extensive tour leg across their homeland on Aug. 1, staying north of the 49th parallel until early October, when the band mounts a month-long run through the US.

The band's latest release, "We Are The Same," marks their second pairing with veteran producer Bob Rock, who's long tenure in the studio with Metallica and Motley Crue has fueled his reputation as an arena-rock go-to guy.

Following their first album with Rock, 2006's "World Container," SoundSpike spoke with Hip drummer Johnny Fay about the vibe in those sessions.

"He just let stuff happen--the happy little accidents. And also, for all the stuff that he's been through, he was very about sounds. He'd say, 'See you guys later. Be back tomorrow,' and a half an hour later, you'd still see him in the studio playing a guitar or playing the piano. He just loves music so much. It was really refreshing to see a guy who's been through all of that with Metallica and back, if you watch the video, those records couldn't have been easy to make. It hasn't jaded him in any way. So it's very refreshing."

As part of the rollout of "We Are the Same" in April, the band produced a live HD program that was simulcast to movie theatres the night before the album's release, featuring an interview from the recording studio where the album was recorded as well as several live performances.