Sleep Announce 2026 Tour, Unveil First New Music in Eight Years Stoner metal band Sleep has announced their first new music in eight years, a forthcoming North American tour, and the release of their debut comic book. The band’s latest single, “Have Spacesuit Will Travel,” marks their first recording without founding member and guitarist Matt Pike, who has been absent from the group since 2025. The track, released via Jack White’s Third Man Records, retains Sleep’s signature sludgy wall of sound, with bassist/songwriter Al Cisneros now joined by guitarist Bubba Dupree (Void) and drummer Dale Crover (Redd Kross, Melvins). In a press release, Sleep acknowledged Pike’s departure, stating that Cisneros “wishes Matt the best on his earth-bound maneuvers” and emphasized that the new music “maintains the spirit of the band’s established sound.” The band’s hiatus, which lasted from 2019 to 2021/2022, was preceded by internal tensions. Drummer Jason Roeder was reportedly “unceremoniously” fired from the group in early 2025, and Pike had not spoken to either Cisneros or Roeder for some time. Despite these challenges, Sleep has returned with a renewed lineup and a series of high-profile events. The new album, which includes “Have Spacesuit Will Travel,” is set to debut alongside their 2026 North American tour, which spans two legs in the fall. The first leg runs from September 8 to September 29, featuring stops in San Diego, Austin, Boise, Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. The second leg begins in early to mid-November, with dates in Detroit, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Ticket sales for the tour will open with a pre-sale on June 23, followed by a general on-sale on June 25.#jack_white #sleep #third_man_records #al_cisneros #bubba_dupree
