Teenage Fanclub's Norman Blake, the Sadies' Mike Belitsky and Joe Pernice Form the New Mendicants

BY Alex HudsonPublished Jan 7, 2013

Massachusetts native Joe Pernice of the Scud Mountain Boys and Pernice Brothers currently calls Toronto home, while Norman Blake of Scotland's Teenage Fanclub is now based nearby in Kitchener, ON. Their proximity has led the two indie music veterans to form a new band with Sadies/Pernice Brothers drummer Mike Belitsky, with whom they have released a new EP.

The trio go by the name of the New Mendicants. Their six-song Australia 2013 E.P. features three original tunes, a cover of "This Time" by INXS, and new versions of two previous songs by Pernice and Blake, respectively. Listen to the INXS cover at the bottom of the page.

As the title indicates, Australia 2013 E.P. was made so that Pernice and Blake would have something to sell during their upcoming tour Down Under. Belitsky will be staying at home for this trek, which runs from late January to early February.

For fans who won't be able to catch the New Mendicants live, you can purchase the limited-edition EP on CD via Pernice Brothers' online store.

Brooklyn Vegan reports that Pernice's former band, the roots-oriented Scud Mountain Boys, have a new album on the way later this year. This will be their first album since 1996's Massachusetts. A new Pernice Brothers album is reportedly in the works too.

Tour dates:

1/20 Sydney, Australia - The Famous Spiegeltent (Sydney Festival)

1/22 Melbourne, Australia, - Northcote Social Club

1/23 Melbourne, Australia - Northcote Social Club

1/24 Brisbane, Australia, - Blackbear Lodge

1/25 Sydney, Australia - The Famous Spiegeltent (Sydney Festival)

1/26 Parramatta, Australia - The Idolise Spiegeltent

1/27 Parramatta, Australia - The Idolise Spiegeltent

2/7 Adelaide, Australia, - The Grace Emily

2/8 Perth, Australia - Perth International Arts Festival

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