Billy Howerdel takes Ashes Divide for a spin

A Perfect Circle guitarist Billy Howerdel recently unveiled the debut album from his solo project, Ashes Divide [ tickets ], and he'll support the set with concert dates all summer long.The performer, who hired a band and hit the road earlier this month, will continue the tour tomorrow (5/13) in Columbia, SC. Headlining stops are planned at a mix of clubs and theaters, and the group will also play a host of radio shows across the US and Canada through mid-July, after which they'll hop on Linkin Park's annual "Projekt Revolution" tour through late August. Details are listed below.Ashes Divide's debut effort, "Keep Telling Myself It's Alright," surfaced in April and reached No. 36 on The Billboard 200. So far, the album has spawned the mainstream- and modern-rock hit "The Stone," which is streaming at the band's website.Though Howerdel is the primary songwriter, musician, producer and vocalist behind Ashes Divide, he got a lot of help from his friends. Longtime collaborator Danny Lohner (A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails) co-produced the album and drummer Josh Freese (APC) and Maynard James Keenan's son Devo make appearances. Other contributors include Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde), Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio) and Paz Lenchantin.Ashes Divide's touring lineup comprises drummer Jeff Friedl, bassist Matt McJunkins and guitarist Andy Gerold.As for the future of A Perfect Circle, Howerdel said there are no concrete plans at the moment. In a posting at his MySpace page, he told fans he is putting all his energy into Ashes Divide for the foreseeable future, while APC frontman Keenan focuses on his new project, Puscifer.