Full Breakdown
Sleep Unveils New Single, Revamped Lineup, Fall Tour and First Comic Book
6/18/2026, 9:03:29 PM
New Single Launches Without Founding Guitarist
Sleep released “Have Spacesuit Will Travel” on Third Man Records, their first new material since 2018’s The Sciences and the first track recorded without founding guitarist Matt Pike.
Revised Trio and Its Roots
The current trio features bassist/songwriter Al Cisneros, drummer Dale Crover (known from the Melvins and Redd Kross) and guitarist Bubba Dupree of Void. Former drummer Jason Roeder was dismissed in November 2024.
Fall 2026 North American Tour
The tour opens September 8 in San Diego and closes November 17 in Washington, D.C., covering major U.S. and Canadian markets. Key stops include Austin (Levitation Festival), Seattle, Portland, Detroit, Toronto, Boston and Philadelphia. Artist presale begins June 23 10 a.m., public sale June 25 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster.
Sleep Comic Book Debut
Sleep’s first comic, written by Al Cisneros and illustrated by Dave Kloc and Arik Roper, launches with Issue #1. It follows the Marijuanaut on Planet Iommia, where the traveler meets the Weedian and explores deeper reverential practices. A limited-edition bundle adds a signed bookplate and a flexidisc of the single.
Official Statements
Al Cisneros said the band’s music and art are alive after decades of obstacles and that it is time to move forward with new songs and albums. He expressed goodwill toward Matt Pike and praised the first jam’s “blue sunglasses-era Iommi” quality, calling Bubba Dupree one of the coolest collaborators he has known.
Criticism & Opposition
Former drummer Jason Roeder disclosed he was “unceremoniously” fired by the band’s manager over the phone in November 2024 and has not spoken to Al Cisneros or Matt Pike since. Pike’s abrupt, “surprise” exit has drawn scrutiny, with no comment from him despite a March 2024 interview hinting at upcoming recording plans.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Matt Pike’s status: a March 2024 interview suggested he was planning new recordings with Sleep, yet the June 2026 announcement makes no mention of his involvement and provides no comment from Pike himself.
What’s Next
The fall tour runs through November 2026. Sleep has hinted at further releases later in the year, and a second issue of the Sleep Comic Book is slated for future publication.
Verbatim Quotes
"The music and art are alive and after the decades of obstacles that Sleep has overcome, it is time to move forward and make songs and albums. Al wishes Matt the best on his earth bound maneuvers." — Al Cisneros, bassist/songwriter, Sleep
"The vibe of the first jam was obvious. It was blue sunglasses-era Iommi in the quality, and equally awesome is Bubba is also one of the coolest people I've been able to make music with." — Al Cisneros, bassist/songwriter, Sleep
"Have Spacesuit Will Travel isn’t just Sleep’s first single since 2018’s The Sciences — it’s also the first track to not feature founding member/guitarist Matt Pike." — Sleep press release
"takes the reader to Planet Iommia, encounters with The Weedian and introduces the traveller to Iommia’s deeper reverential practices." — Sleep Comic Book description (Third Man Books)
