Bassist John Paul Jones has told BBC News that there were plans in 2008 for the original LED ZEPPELIN members to hit the road without frontman Robert Plant — under a different name — which were later abandoned.

Now, John Paul Jones who is currently playing with THEM CROOKED VULTURES, also featuring FOO FIGHTERS' Dave Grohl and Josh Homme from QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE — said things have worked out for the best. "Jimmy [Page] and I rehearsed a bit with Jason Bonham and we couldn't really agree on singers and that fell by the wayside," he said. "Then this came along and to be honest, I'm really happy."

THEM CROOKED VULTURES made their first official single, called "New Fang", available to radio stations on Monday (October 26). The track is also streaming at the trio's web site and is taken from the band's self-titled debut album, which is due for release on November 17. Meanwhile, following their first North American tour of mostly East Coast cities earlier this month, the group will next head west for four gigs in November.

The band will perform on November 17 at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, November 19 at the Fox Theater in Oakland, November 21 at the Paramount Theater in Seattle, and November 22 at the Roseland Theater in Portland, Oregon. Tickets go on sale this weekend for all four shows.

THEM CROOKED VULTURES will head to the U.K. and Europe in December, followed by Australia and New Zealand in January.