NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Jul 12, 2012) - Atlantic recording group The Sheepdogs have announced the release of their hugely anticipated label debut album. "THE SHEEPDOGS" arrives everywhere on September 4^th.

Produced by The Black Keys' Patrick Carney and Austin Scaggs, "THE SHEEPDOGS" marks the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-based band embracing a vast span of influences to create a distinctive collection of brilliantly unabashed rock 'n' roll. The album is heralded by the thumping first single, "The Way It Is," which has just premiered exclusively on RollingStone.com (direct link http://tinyurl.com/d6ndzm2). A companion video will be released in the upcoming weeks, directed by comedy writers/directors/actors The Sklar Brothers, and featuring a plethora of up-and-coming comedians.

The Sheepdogs will celebrate their new album with their first coast to coast U.S. headline tour. The trek gets underway September 16^th at the Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls, New York, and then continues through late October (see itinerary below). Support comes from Belgian garage rockers Black Box Revelation and Cincinnati's Buffalo Killers -- for complete details and up-to-the-minute tour information, please see www.thesheepdogs.com.

Since coming together in 2006, The Sheepdogs have received widespread acclaim for their bold and beautiful take on classic guitar rock, evinced on three self-funded, independently released albums. The band's skill and hard work earned them a fervent fan following, while 2010's "LEARN & BURN," now certified gold in Canada, was ultimately honored with a trio of JUNO Awards, including "New Group of the Year," "Single of the Year," and "Rock Album of the Year." 

As impassioned on stage as they are on record, The Sheepdogs have spent much of their lifetime on the road. In addition to innumerable headline shows and festival appearances, the band has shared stages with such like-minded acts as Kings of Leon, John Fogerty, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, and Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears. 

"THE SHEEPDOGS" marks the band's first full-length release since being named as the winners of Atlantic Records and Rolling Stone's "Do You Wanna Be A Rock & Roll Star?" competition, presented by Garnier Fructis. Launched in February 2011, the competition began with 16 acts selected by Rolling Stone, AOL Music editors, and Atlantic A&R executives. Over the course of the contest, finalists were brought to New York City to record and perform three songs for Rolling Stone editors, Atlantic A&R executives and other industry professionals. In June, The Sheepdogs were named as one of the competition's two finalists, resulting in a performance face-off before tens of thousands of fans at the annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.

The Sheepdogs emerged victorious as the contest's winners following an August performance on NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. In addition to the prestigious Rolling Stone cover, the band also received a recording deal with Atlantic, which immediately released their "FIVE EASY PIECES" EP.

For more news and information, please visit www.thesheepdogs.com and www.atlanticrecords.com.

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