Man, if Adam Duritz thought that he had a long December that one year, he ain’t seen nothing yet. Because when you’ve got Craig Finn and the bear-battered boys from The Hold Steady as your backstage roommates and bus buddies the week before Christmas, I’m guessing there’s not going to be much in the way of sleeping.

As previously reported (TMT News), The Hold Steady will woozily embark upon one hell of a fall tour of the U.S. and Europe following the success of their latest barroom-evangelical smash, Stay Positive (TMT Review). But after drinking Europe dry for a few months, America’s new favorite band will pair up with America’s old favorite band, Counting Crows, for a few shiny, new dates, which should make both Duritz’ lyrics and Finn’s voice sound pretty weak when compared side by side. So if they do this right, audience members won’t really be a fan of either band by the time they leave the theater. Merry Christmas, rock fans.

Nerd Glasses and Dreadlocks Tour ’08:

08.14.08 - Washington, DC - 930 Club (Sold Out) 08.16.08 - Chelmsford, UK - Hylands Park (Sold Out) 08.17.08 - Staffordshire, UK - Weston Park 09.29.08 - Oxford, UK - Academy Oxford 09.30.08 - Manchester, UK - Manchester Academy 10.01.08 - Glasgow, UK - ABC 10.02.08 - Wolverhampton, UK - Wulfrun Hall 10.04.08 - Bristol, UK - Anson Rooms 10.05.08 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City 10.06.08 - Portsmouth, UK - Pyramids 10.08.08 - London, UK - Roundhouse 10.09.08 - Paris, France - Nouveau Casino 10.11.08 - Hamburg, Germany - Knust 10.12.08 - Koln, Germany - Luxor 10.13.08 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Melkweg 10.15.08 - Oslo, Norway - Rockerfeller 10.16.08 - Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Slussen 10.17.08 - Goteborg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers 10.19.08 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega 10.20.08 - Berlin, Germany - Columbia Club 10.21.08 - Vienna, Austria - W.U.K. 10.22.08 - Munich, Germany - Ampere 12.16.08 - Den Bosch, NL - Brabanthallen * 12.20.08 - Dublin, IE - O2 * 12.21.08 - Belfast, UK - Odyssey Arena *

* Counting Crows