Sleep Awakens With New Single, Fall Tour

Sleep is awakening. The influential stoner rock outfit has released “Have Spacesuit Will Travel,” its first new music since 2018’s The Sciences and the first recording from a revamped lineup led by bassist and songwriter Al Cisneros. The track arrives via Third Man Records alongside the announcement of a fall North American tour and the debut issue of the Sleep Comic Book, written by Cisneros.

“Have Spacesuit Will Travel” marks the beginning of a new era for the band following the departure of guitarist Matt Pike. In a statement, Cisneros said, “The music and art are alive and after the decades of obstacles that Sleep has overcome, it is time to move forward and make songs and albums,” while wishing Pike “the best on his earth-bound maneuvers.”

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Joining Cisneros in the latest incarnation of Sleep are drummer Dale Crover, whose impressive resume includes the Melvins and Redd Kross, and guitarist Bubba Dupree of Washington, D.C. hardcore legends Void. According to Cisneros, the chemistry was immediate. “The vibe of the first jam was obvious,” he said. “It was blue sunglasses-era Iommi in the quality, and equally awesome is Bubba is also one of the coolest people I’ve been able to make music with.”

Beyond the music, Cisneros is expanding Sleep’s mythology with the first issue of the Sleep Comic Book, his authorial debut for Third Man Books. Illustrated by Dave Kloc and Arik Roper, the comic follows the Marijuanaut through the world of Planet Iommia and other familiar imagery drawn from Sleep’s riff-heavy universe. A limited-edition bundle includes a flexidisc version of “Have Spacesuit Will Travel” alongside a poster, signed bookplate and custom rolling papers.

Sleep will hit the road this fall beginning Sept. 8 in San Diego. The run includes a headlining appearance at Levitation Festival in Austin, multiple-night stands in Seattle and San Francisco and a swing through the Midwest and East Coast in November. Artist presales begin June 23 at 10 a.m. local time, with general onsales set for June 25.

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