The Cult rises again for US tour

British rockers The Cult, who haven't been heard from since wrapping up their 2001/2002 tour, will return to the stage in March during a month-long US roadtrip.

The tour--dubbed "A Return to the Wild"--kicks off March 1 in San Francisco, and is currently scheduled to wrap up with a March 26 concert in New York City. Stops are planned in a total of 19 cities. Details are included below.

"The eco-world cannot exist without its predators," singer Ian Astbury said in a statement. "Out in the wild, it takes all types to make the system work. The Cult needs the world, the world needs The Cult. We never really go away ... everything must have its season, and our season is upon us again.

The group was offered larger venues for the tour, according to a press release, but opted for the more intimate settings of clubs and theaters.

"We need to reconnect with our people, our tribe," guitarist Billy Duffy said in a statement. "We need to be among them. We want this to be as intimate as possible. You can't do that in an airline hanger, mate."

The group acknowledged in a press release that "tension between frontman Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy has been at the forefront of The Cult's lengthy breaks," but added that the two musicians "realize--more than ever--that the strength and balance of The Cult is the differences they bring to the table."

"[The Cult]'s always been me and Ian, and it always will be," Duffy said. "We're a little wiser, but just as pissed off as we ever were."

Astbury and Duffy last teamed on The Cult's 2001 album, "Beyond Good and Evil," and toured behind the set with help from longtime Cult drummer Matt Sorum and bassist Billy Morrison.

Not long after that tour ended, Astbury joined forces with Doors cofounders Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger to form Riders on the Storm (originally The Doors of the 21st Century). The group has toured regularly over the past few years, and has a handful of April shows lined up in Europe. More information is available at Manzarek's website.

Duffy, meanwhile, has stayed busy with a number of projects, including Circus Diablo, a group he co-founded with Morrison and guitarist Ricky Warwick. The trio has recruited Sorum--whose main gig now is manning the kit for Velvet Revolver--to play drums on a 6-track EP due out this summer, according to the band's website.

No word yet on who will handle the drums and bass on The Cult's upcoming trek.

In addition to mounting a tour, The Cult also plans to "explore the possibilities of making new music in 2006," but no firm commitments have been made, according to the band's publicist.

The Cult rose to fame on the US rock scene with a number of '80s- and '90s-era hits such as "She Sells Sanctuary," "Wild Flower," "Love Removal Machine," "Edie" and "Fire Woman."