US hard rockers DOKKEN have updated their US tour schedule with more shows this summer. The band now has the following live dates scheduled:

August

6 - Solano County Fair/Concert Arena - Vallejo, CA
17 - Upper Peninsula State Fair - Escanaba, MI
18 - Bobby McGee's - Chicago Ridge, IL
20 - Peghead-Palooza - Eden Prairie, MN
26 - Southland Park Racing and Casino - West Memphis, AR

As previously reported, Dokken frontman Don Dokken recently caught up with BraveWords.com correspondent Deb Rao regarding his recent vocal surgery, the truth behind the Dokken reunion attempt, the status of the band's new studio album and the future of the band. Check out the chat below:

Bravewords.com: For the first time since That Metal Show appearance you mentioned how you tried your best to make the Dokken reunion happen. In retrospect, Dokken has evolved so much as a unit since the departure of George Lynch in 1997. The onstage and writing chemistry between you and guitarist Jon Levin has been a tremendous asset for the band. Do you think now that Jeff Pilson not wanting you to discuss the reunion due to his obligations with FOREIGNER was a blessing in disguise for Dokken?

Don: "That’s a hard question to answer. For years Mick and myself were against it, finally we were talked into discussing it, several people, managers, agents and so on asked Mick to fly in from Phoenix. He agreed so we both drove out to where Jeff and George live. We had a meeting at Foreigner's booking agents house as a BBQ and a lot of industry people were there. They were all pushing for it to happen. Five minutes into the meeting Jeff said he would love to do it but was busy until 2012 with Foreigner. Mick and I were shocked he could have told us that in an email, so that was that. I had already gone out to Jeff's studio and spent the day with him and George. They played me some cool riffs and I did some rough vocal ideas, then we were asked to be on That Metal Show. It seemed it was all going to happen, but like I've said in other interviews, the night before the show I got an email from Jeff asking us not to mention a reunion. FYI, I 'saved the email.' So I was in a tough spot. I had to tell Eddie Trunk the day of the show not to bring it up. It was a very uncomfortable situation for him and me. The rest is history, George started bashing me in interviews and putting all the blame on me that the reunion was a no go! I guess something good came out of it there was bad blood between Mick and George since our second break up. Mick toured with LYNCH MOB for a few weeks recently and apparently it went well as far as them getting along."

Bravewords.com: In a recent update you mentioned that Dokken were in the studio writing new material. How is the progress coming along?

Don: "Writing is a long process, were working when we can. Between touring and Jon's law practice its just about finding the time. So far I have high hopes that it will be really awesome. It's up to our fans to decide that, not us. There are many bands that came out at the same time as us working on there 20th record. I don't know how they do it? I think I'm too neurotic and insecure to write that fast, I'm always thinking I can make a song better. I'm trying to learn that maybe your first music idea is the best and not to lament over it. It would have been great to someday do a record with the original members, an exclamation point on our career but George can't seem to keep his mouth shut so I don't see it happening. There are several bands with original members still on tour today that don't like each other but they somehow make it work for the fans; it's called being professional. Maybe there’s just too much baggage to overcome, I don't know? What I do know is Jon, Mick, and myself are moving forward! Hope you like what we have to offer in the near future."

Read the entire interview here.