Ratdog returns to the club circuit in February

Ratdog, a band led by Grateful Dead alumnus Bob Weir, is set to launch a rescheduled U.S outing in February.

The band had postponed a planned fall 2004 tour because singer/guitarist Weir was suffering from exhaustion. He had been extremely busy throughout the year, touring (with Ratdog and Grateful Dead spin-off The Dead), promoting a career-retrospective album and making various charity appearances.

"It was all simply too much, and he's reached a point of complete physical exhaustion," said a statement issued in October.

Ratdog's current lineup includes Weir, drummer Jay Layne, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, guitarist Mark Karan, saxophonist Kenny Brooks and bassist Robin Sylvester. Sylvester is a relative newcomer to the group, joining in March of 2004.

Weir formed Ratdog in 1995 with bassist Rob Wasserman, who is no longer involved with the group. The only Ratdog studio album is "Evening Moods," which Arista Records released in 2000.