Lightning strikes

U2 have confirmed the release of a new single in late October called 'Electrical Storm'.

Recorded in Dublin, London and France, it's one of the bonus tracks earmarked for their Greatest Hits 1990-2000 package which comes out on DVD on November 4 and CD on November 11.

Despite reports elsewhere, there are no plans to release a second DVD featuring last year's triumphant Slane homecoming, although the concert will receive a TV screening in the near future.

As revealed several months ago in Hot Press, U2 have covered 'Beat On The Brat' for the upcoming Ramones tribute album, We're A Happy Family. After numerous delays, the 17-track collection is now set for November 5 release through Columbia.

Says project co-ordinator Rob Zombie: "As we started confirming people like Red Hot Chili Peppers and U2, everyone was like, 'Now I want to do it!'"

It's certainly an incredible line-up with Metallica, Kiss, Marilyn Manson, Garbage, Green Day, The Pretenders, Tom Waits and Eddie Vedder also getting in on the act.

Finally on the U2 front, Larry Mullen has been drafted onto the judging panel for the Shortlist Music Prize. The American equivalent of the Mercury, his fellow arbiters of good taste include Alanis Morissette, Iggy Pop, Beck, Mos Def, India.Arie, Paul Oakenfold, The Neptunes, Jill Scott, Baz Luhrmann, The Strokes, and Sonic Youth.