One of the finest aggressive rock bands of the decade AFI (they had my #1 album of 2003) is touring the U.S. right now. They’re currently in the South and will head up to the Midwest by next week (see tour dates below).

Through February 15th, their opening act will be newcomers The Dear & Departed. Like AFI, their dark music conjures gothic imagery and feelings of despair. However, The Dear & Departed aren’t quite as heavy as the headliners. Their gloomy rock has more in common with moody veterans like The Church, Sisters of Mercy, The Cure and New Order.

AFI and The Dear & Departed are connected in at least two other ways, though. The Dear & Departed’s vocalist, Dan Under, sung background vocals on AFI’s latest album, Decemberunderground. And AFI guitarist, Jade Puget, did some production work on The D&D’s debut album, which is set to come out this Spring.

Here are a couple MP3 samples to give you a taste:

Download The Dear & Departed “Under the Fireflies” MP3

Download The Dear & Departed “Runaway” MP3

And here are the remaining dates on the AFI/The Dear & Departed/Sick of it All Tour:

2.3.07 - Boca Raton, FL @ Mizner Park Amphitheater
2.5.07 - New Orleans, LA @ House Of Blues
2.6.07 - Nashville, TN @ War Memorial Auditorium at TN
2.9.07 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
2.11.07 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
2.12.07 - Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
2.14.07 - Springfield, MO @ Shrine Mosque
2.15.07 - Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom