The Trews Are Ready To Go In The U.S.

After turning some heads at the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas last week, The Trews are preparing to make a much bigger splash in the U.S.

The rock band's Den Of Thieves album, which has sold more than 50,000 copies in Canada since its domestic release late last summer, will arrive in American stores via Red Ink/Sony BMG on April 18.

The Trews' 2003 debut, House Of Ill Fame, has also been certified gold in Canada. In the past three years, the band have racked up six top 10 rock radio singles, including two chart-toppers. So the time seems right for them to expand their horizons.

"For the past three years, we've enjoyed the success that we've earned in Canada," says singer Colin MacDonald. "Not only have we learned a lot about the business, but we've also matured both personally and musically. I think Den Of Thieves reflects this, and that we are ready for the U.S."

The Trews, who formed in Antigonish, N.S. but now live in southern Ontario, have opened for The Rolling Stones, Robert Plant, Evanescence and Nickelback, and are known as one of Canada's hardest working bands.

"Performing 400-plus shows over the past two-and-a-half years has made us a pretty tight and connected group," says guitarist John-Angus MacDonald. "Playing that many shows is hard work, but it pays off. We've emerged as a stronger band, both as friends and musicians."

The Trews have made forays south of the border in the past to play sporadic shows, many of them with Will Hoge. They just performed four U.S. concerts and will team up again for a series of U.S. dates to help launch Den Of Thieves starting on April 11 in Lincoln, Neb.

Until then, you can still catch The Trews at these Canadian shows:

March 23 St. Catharines, ON @ Big Bucks Mountain Lodge
March 24 Hamilton, ON @ The Underground
March 25 Sarnia, ON @ The Industry
March 27 Peterborough, ON @ Club Vibe
March 30 Halifax, NS @ Parade Square
March 31 St. John's, NF @ Club One
April 5 Owen Sound, ON @ The Harb
April 6 London, ON @ Cowboy's Ranch
April 7 Kitchener, ON @ Elements Nite Club
April 9 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom