Billboard Bits: Kaiser Chiefs, The Like, Sheryl Crow

Although dates still haven’t been announced, the Foo Fighters/Weezer fall tour has drafted U.K. rock act Kaiser Chiefs as its opening act. Beforehand, the group has a handful of North American club dates on tap, beginning July 20 in Philadelphia. Afterward, the Chiefs have European shows booked through Sept. 3 in Ibiza, Spain.

The group’s new double A-side single, “I Predict a Riot”/”Sink That Ship,” will be released Aug. 22 in Europe. A video will also be included for “I Predict a Riot,” directed by Swedish collective Stylewar, as will a new track, “Less Is More.”

Kaiser Chiefs’ Universal debut, “Employment,” debuted in April at No. 86 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 89,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

— Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

---

Los Angeles-based rock trio the Like, whose members are the daughters of Attractions drummer Pete Thomas, producer Mitchell Froom and industry veteran Tony Berg, will release its full-length debut, “Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking?,” Sept. 13 via Geffen.

Produced by former Prince and the Revolution member Wendy Melvoin, the 13-track album expands nicely on the more stripped-down sound of the Like’s live shows. Shaded by such sonic reference points as the Sundays, Echobelly and the Pretenders, the set will be led by the single “What I Say and What I Mean.” Other highlights include the peppy, bass-led “The One” and closer “Waves That Never Break,” which features lap steel by former Beachwood Sparks/All Night Radio principal Dave Scher.

In advance of a fall tour, the group is playing sporadic shows in Los Angeles, including July 15 at the Viper Room and Aug. 2 at the Troubadour. A New York show at a venue to be announced is also on tap for early August.

— Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

---

Sheryl Crow will soon be singing for Dell Inc., the world’s largest personal computer supplier. The singer/songwriter will star in Dell television commercials nationwide, expected to begin airing next week. In these, she showcases all of the ways home technology products help her enjoy her upcoming single “Good Is Good.”

Dell wants consumers to see how Media Center PCs can collect, manage and organize all types of entertainment from one centralized point of control. The $849 computer highlighted in the commercials comes with a TV tuner card built in, meaning it can replace a stand-alone DVR, and is shown connected to a 42-inch plasma TV.

As previously reported, Crow’s as-yet-untitled new album is due Sept. 27 via A&M Records.

— Chris Marlowe, The Hollywood Reporter