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Local rock titans the Toadies set to release new album and return to Possum Kingdom

On Sept. 8, the Toadies, one of the most popular rock bands to ever emerge from D-FW, will release their seventh studio record, The Lower Side of Uptown. According to a press release, the enduring foursome will embark on a lengthy national tour, covering pretty much all of the great 48, just a couple of days prior to the album's release, kicking things off at Rockin' Rodeo in Denton on Sept. 6.

The announcement makes note of the album's key behind-the-scenes talent, which includes longtime producer Chris "Frenchie" Smith. But the tidbit at the end of the release, in particular, caught our concert-loving attention:

On Sept. 16, for the tenth edition of the band's popular Dia De Los Toadies festival, Vaden Todd Lewis and gang will return to Possum Kingdom Lake.

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Possum Kingdom Lake is where the original Dia De Los Toadies festival was held in 2008, and is obviously the setting for the group's 1995 megahit "Possum Kingdom."

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More details will follow as to which bands will be joining the titular heroes. One band we do know will be playing a bunch with the Toadies is Local H, the Chicago-based alt-rock group that recently defeated local hard-rock acts Mothership and Messer for an opening slot on Metallica's current world tour.

Leading the charge of D-FW bands making big waves in the mid and late '90s, the Toadies saw their album Rubberneck rocket to platinum status while the video for "Possum Kingdom" became ubiquitous on MTV. The group disbanded a few years later after its 2001 record Hell Below/Stars Above album was seemingly ignored by their label, Interscope Records.

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But since reuniting in 2006, the band has stayed busy touring and releasing several fine records. Along with the popular annual music festival, the Toadies have been kings of the band/beer collaboration, teaming with Fort Worth brewery Martin House on four different beers over the past few years. The group was even featured in two issues of the iconic X-Men comic series last year.

The new record, is described in the press release as, "louder and heavier than the last couple of Toadies albums." That's not a total shock, as 2015's Heretics was a primarily acoustic offering, though it was far from quiet.

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Some of the new songs have been road-tested, as the group performed "Polly Jean" during its Billy Bob's Texas show last December. Judging by that offering, this album looks to be a roaring throwback to the full-on Toadies rock sound loved by so many.

Album art for The Low Side of Uptown, featuring portraits of each Toadies member, was...
Album art for The Low Side of Uptown, featuring portraits of each Toadies member, was designed by acclaimed comic Michael Lark (Daredevil, Captain America).(Kirtland Records)