Fast-rising heavy psych rock band MONDO DRAG has just released its debut album, New Rituals. The Davenport, Iowa-based quintet’s mind-expanding new record is in stores now – on CD and limited edition red LP - via Alive Records.

Merging exciting psychedelic rock with an electric blues edge, Mondo Drag delivers a sound that references the past while pushing forwards towards the future (JIMI HENDRIX, PENTAGRAM, BLUE CHEER and even PINK FLOYD are part of the band’s musical lexicon, while SONIC YOUTH hints to its current references).

Mondo Drag’s first-rate live performances have become a thing of local legend in and around its Midwest home and have seen the band share stages with artists such as SLEEPY SUN, DEAD MEADOW, WITCHCRAFT, RADIO MOSCOW, JENNIFER GENTLE, THE DODOS, CASS MCCOMBS, AWESOME COLOR and MONOTONIX to name a few. With a hulking wall of sound, an arsenal of guitars and a head full of clouds, Mondo Drag is on a rock n’ roll mission.

A taste of what Mondo Drag’s New Rituals holds in store can be sampled now as the record’s intoxicating title track has been posted online at this location. The album can be purchased here.

In celebration of the release of New Rituals, Mondo Drag has announced upcoming US tour dates as well as multiple appearances at the 2010 SXSW Music Festival, set to take place March 17th - 21st in Austin, TX.

Mondo Drag features Johnnie Cluney (drums / vocals), Nolan Girard (rhythm guitar / vocals), John Gamino (keyboards / saxophone), Dennis Hockaday (bass) and Jake Sheley (lead guitar).

Mondo Drag live dates:

February

6 - Iowa City, IA - White Lightning Wherehouse
9 - St. Louis, MO - Off Broadway Nightclub
10 - Carbondale, IL - The Swamp
11 - Lexington, KY - Al's Bar
12 - Nashville, TN - Springwater Supper Club
13 - Murfreesboro, TN - Wall Street
14 - Greenbrier, TN - Loudhouse Coffee
15 - Cincinnati, OH - Blue Rock Tavern
16 - Detroit, MI - Corktown Tavern
17 - Chicago, IL - The Mopery
18 - Dekalb, IL - House Show
20 - Davenport, IA - RME Hall (New Rituals CD release show!)

March

17 - Austin, TX - Cheers on 6th (As part of the 2010 SXSW Festival)
20 - Austin, TX - Electra Beauty Lounge (As part of the 2010 SXSW Festival)