Reconfigured Third Eye Blind Will Hit The Road In March

Third Eye Blind has announced its first tour dates since the firing of the band's lead guitarist, Kevin Cadogan. Tony Fredianelli will replace Cadogan for the tour, which is scheduled to begin on March 1 in Santa Barbara, Calif.

In a Tuesday (1/2) posting on its website Third Eye Blind apologized to ''all the fans, friends and the 3eb family'' for the recent upheaval in the band and expressed an eagerness to get on the road.

''For those of you who feel you've been kept in the dark regarding Kevin's departure, we're sorry and we appreciate your patience. Though we would love to describe the situation in more detail, there's only so much we can say right now. We ask for your understanding and patience. Our music continues to grow every day and we have already written a new song together. We really, really love you guys and can't wait to come play for you.''

In what is shaping up to be a Web war of words, attorney Joseph J. Madonia suggested on Cadogan's official website that legal action may be pending.

''An attempt to improperly exclude Kevin Cadogan from the ongoing activities of Third Eye Blind was made by the other members of the band and their management immediately after the band's performance at the Sundance Film Festival on Tuesday, January 25, 2000. Appropriate legal options are now being pursued in order to preserve and enforce Kevin's legal rights in and to Third Eye Blind.''

Cadogan's ouster from Third Eye Blind came just over a month after the group released its second LP ''Blue,'' the follow-up to its multi-platinum self-titled debut.

The origin of the dispute between the two parties is not clear at this time, but a posting on Cadogan's website under the heading ''Need a clue?'' directs readers to a San Francisco Chronicle article which focused on singer Stephan Jenkins and included the line ''Make no mistake, Stephan Jenkins is Third Eye Blind.''

In a letter to the Chronicle, Cadogan objected to that assertion and offered this opinion: ''I find this statement particularly irresponsible since I co-wrote 10 songs on the first album and six on the second. Arion Salazar co-wrote two on the second album and did just as much producing as Stephan did. Brad Hargreaves produced his drum tracks and I produced my guitar. Jason Carmer, a local producer and engineer, helped all of us with these tasks.''

Third Eye Blind are scheduled to play MTV's ''TRL'' on Thursday, a performance which some fans of Cadogan have indicated they will protest.