Excitement is humming at a distinctly audible level as fans prepare for the release of Johnny Marr’s solo debut, The Messenger, and tour dates to follow.

Marr gained notoriety as one of the greatest guitarists of the last 30 years in playing with such bands as The Smiths, Talking Heads and Modest Mouse, and now he looks to truly show what he’s made of with this solo release, due out February 26.

In the video below, Marr reveals The Smiths’ infamous track “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” came to be after he made a deal with Sire Records co-founder Seymour Stein, in 1984. Marr said he was able to convince Stein to buy him a brand-new guitar with a promise The Smiths would sign to his label, and almost as soon as the guitar was in his hands, the song came tumbling out.

The upcoming tour to support The Messenger kicks off in Las Vegas, where Marr will be playing one of two dates with New Order. The nationwide tour run will also feature stops at the two separate weeks Coachella will be held.

Johnny Marr – North American Dates

Buy tickets for this tour here

Apr 11: Las Vegas, NV – The Cosmopolitan, Boulevard Pool w/New Order
Apr 12: Indio, CA – Coachella
Apr 13: San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
Apr 15: Seattle, WA – Neumos
Apr 16: Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
Apr 18: Santa Barbara, CA – County Bowl w/New Order
Apr 19: Indio, CA – Coachella
Apr 21: Denver, CO – Bluebird
Apr 22: Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room
Apr 23: Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
Apr 25: Chicago, IL – Metro
Apr 26: Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
Apr 27: Toronto, ON – Phoenix
Apr 29: Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Apr 30: Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero
May 2: New York, NY – Irving Plaza
May 3: Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
May 4: Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club

Read here for more on Marr’s first-ever solo album.