The Monkees, that incredibly silly, sweet band from the Brady Bunch era that gave us “Last Train To Clarksville” and endless laughs with their TV show, have announced a new tour to commence without Davy Jones, who passed away earlier this year of a heart attack.

The setlist will be comprised of a vast array of their songs rather than focusing on new music so as to please all their fans. And although the band will be without anchor Jones, Mike Nesmith will be joining his mates for the first time in 15 years.

“I never really left,” says Nesmith. “It is a part of my youth that is always active in my thought and part of my overall work as an artist. It stays in a special place, but like things in the past it fades in and out in relevance to activities that are current. Getting together with old friends and acquaintances can be very stimulating and fun and even inspiring to me. We did some good work together and I am always interested in the right time and the right place to reconnect and play.”

Guitarist Peter Tork recently revealed that the band had been making plans to get together for a tour just before Jones’ death in February, and Nesmith says now is the perfect time to move ahead.

Who knows when we will get another chance?” he asked.

The tour dates are as follows: (courtesy Billboard.com)

Nov. 8 – Escondido, CA (California Center for the Arts)
Nov. 9 – Santa Barbara, CA (The Arlington Theatre)
Nov. 10 – Los Angeles, CA (Greek Theatre)
Nov. 11 – Cupertino, CA (Flint Center for the Performing Arts)
Nov. 15 – Minneapolis, MN (State Theatre)
Nov. 16 – Chicago, IL (The Chicago Theatre)
Nov. 17 – Cleveland, OH (Lakewood Civic Auditorium)
Nov. 18 – Buffalo, NY (The Center for the Arts)
Nov. 29 – Philidelphia, PA (Keswick Theatre)
Nov. 30 – New Brunswick, NJ (State Theatre Regional Arts Center)
Dec. 1 – Huntington, NY (The Paramount)
Dec. 2 – New York, NY (The Beacon Theatre)