Van Halen signs to Interscope, preps unreasonable demands for color-specific M&Ms

Much to the chagrin of Sammy Hagar, Van Halen appears to be moving closer to releasing its first album since 1998's misbegotten Gary Cherone experiment Van Halen III, and its first with David Lee Roth in nearly 30 years. (Though original bassist Michael Anthony still isn't invited.) The band has signed with Interscope Records in a deal brokered by the company's chairman, Jimmy Iovine, that covers touring, merchandising, marketing, and recording. This being Van Halen, the deal came with a fair amount of dysfunction and out-and-out nonsense, including Roth's apparent refusal to sign with a label based on the East Coast. (The restriction ruled out Columbia.) "It was as complicated as anyone would imagine, when one side says black, the other says white," said a source. "The label was pretty skeptical that things would work out." Van Halen has been rumored to be working on a new album, though further details (including a release date) have not be announced. [via Rolling Stone]