Chicago -- Midwestern fans got their first taste of the third Stereophonics' disc Tuesday night at Chicago's Double Door.

Decked out in full folk gig regalia -- stools for the band, neatly arranged rows of folding chairs for the faithful -- the dark Double Door looked more like the scene of an Arlo Guthrie gig than a show by one of Britain's most powerful rock and roll trios.

Guitarist and lead singer Kelly Jones and bassist Richard Jones (no relation) were visiting as part of a nine-date U.S. tour in advance of the Tues., April 17 release of "J.E.E.P. (Just Enough Education to Perform)." While drummer Stuart Cable remained at home awaiting the imminent birth of his first child, the Jones were accompanied by keyboardist Tony Kirkham and guitarist Scott James.

The acoustic tour follows a similar UK jaunt last fall that Kelly Jones undertook alone while Richard Jones was honeymooning and Cable was taking a well-deserved break after mixing "J.E.E.P." in New York with Andy Wallace.

"I just felt like going out on tour, playing the songs as stripped down as the day they were written," Kelly Jones says in a promotional booklet distributed at the shows. "(I envisioned) traveling by train, having days off in cities I love and having a laugh. I felt like a folk singer for a week or two."

And stripped down they were. With a focus on the acoustic guitar and Kelly's gritty, classic rock and roll growl (think Rod Stewart), the band performed nearly all of the latest album and a couple choice cuts from 1997's "Word Gets Around" and 1999's "Performance and Cocktails." James' subtle slide guitar added spice and Richard Jones understated bass playing and Kirkham's workhorse skills built a solid foundation.

Although one doesn't get much of a clue what to expect from "J.E.E.P," thanks to the stark performances, the effect was one of offering a tantalizing glimpse into the mellower side of the Stereophonics.

Opening the show were James Mazler and Phil Vassil of Vibrolush, the Stereophonics' V2 labelmates. The New York-based band recently issued its sophomore disc -- and V2 debut -- "Touch and Go."

Kelly Jones promised the band will return for a full-on tour in May. Perhaps Wales' best band will find its way to Milwaukee, where they haven't performed since appearing at an all-day, radio-sponsored rock fest at the Marcus Amphitheater, three years ago.

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