Hollywood Records kicks off the new year with the January 12 release of the soundtrack to the Paramount Pictures/MTV Films coming-of-age football comedy "
Varsity Blues," starring "Dawson's Creek" heartthrob James Van Der Beek. Huddled together on the all-star, all-song soundtrack are a winning team of 15 top artists -- including Collective Soul, Green Day, Fastball, Third Eye Blind, and Foo Fighters -- and cutting-edge rookies, from Days of the New, Black Lab, Loudmouth, and Sprung Monkey.
Collective Soul leads the pack with their original soundtrack contribution, "Run." Released as a single in early January, "Run" is accompanied by a video directed by Martin Weisz. Green Day scores with "Nice Guys Finish Last," which sports an Evan Bernard-directed video which is all over MTV. The album contains seven additional soundtrack originals by Third Eye Blind, Loudmouth, Redd Kross, Days of the New, Sprung Monkey, Monster Magnet, and Caroline's Spine, plus many bonuses. The complete soundtrack lineup:
- Loudmouth, "Fly"
These rookie sensations sent a searing modern rock stomper in for a touchdown. Also on the band's March debut album.
- Green Day, "Nice Guys Finish Last"
In the huddle, these multiplatinum punk pranksters remind the team how to win.
- Foo Fighters, "My Hero"
Team captain Dave Grohl lends a victory cheer from Foo Fighters' latest album, "The Colour and the Shape."
- Collective Soul, "Run"
What every man in the backfield knows to do when he is handed the ball. This new ballad has its sights set for the end zone when it takes over the airwaves as the first single.
- Fastball, "Are You Ready for the Fallout"
Different sport, but these Hollywood Records artists know about teamwork. From the band's 1996 debut, "Make Your Mama Proud."
- Third Eye Blind, "Horror Show"
Proven winners Third Eye Blind join the lineup with "Horror Show," another "Varsity Blues" soundtrack exclusive.
- Janus Stark, "Every Little Thing Counts"
Was the coach's advice to Gizz Butt, before this Prodigy guitarist stepped on the field as leader of Janus Stark. A fiery adrenaline rush that cranks up energy needed to make the big play.
- Van Halen, "Hot for Teacher"
Van Halen to Roth for the score! The legendary combo had more rockin' hits than Dion Sanders had touchdown dances. This classic rock track is from their record "1984."
- Simon Says, "Ship Jumper"
A track that splits the uprights. These Sacramento rockers donate a track from their Hollywood Records release due out in April.
- Monster Magnet, "Kick Out the Jams"
The legendary revolutionary anthem has been reengineered by these gridiron titans. This track serves to remind today's players what it was like to play without a face mask.
- Black Lab, "Black Eye"
This band is no sleeping carnivore. Also an exclusive track, this lyrically focused modern rock gem takes a look at football's most glaring superficial injury.
- Days of the New, "Two Faces"
There is no doubt that these young southern rockers know about Friday-night high school football.
- Sprung Monkey, "Thunderstruck"
Running a West Coast offensive, San Diego's own wanted to rock while paying tribute to one of their influences. This exclusive high-powered AC/DC cover will leave any secondary playing catch-up.
- Redd Kross, "Teen Competition"
Stalwarts of the power-pop scene, Redd Kross unleash a jam reminding everyone that high school athletics is more than a learning experience.
- Caroline's Spine, "Varsity Blues"
After touring nonstop for four years, Jimmy Newquist and company took a brief break to write this heartfelt title track.
"
Varsity Blues" is the winning new Paramount Pictures/MTV Films coming-of-age football comedy set in a small Texas town where high school football is king and 17-year-old schoolboys carry the hopes of an entire community onto the gridiron every Friday night. "
Varsity Blues" follows the travails, both hilarious and painful, of five seniors on a high school football team in a small Texas town as they approach the end of a near-perfect season. With mounting pressure from their hard-driving coach and parents, who live vicariously through the boys' victories, the resolve and determination of the young athletes are put to the test as they seek to finish the season as heroes -- their way.
James Van Der Beek (star of "Dawson's Creek") stars in "Varsity Blues" as quarterback Jonathan Moxon, whose irreverent attitude and approach to football bring him into direct conflict with his legendary coach (Jon Voight).
Paramount Pictures presents, in association with MTV Films, "Varsity Blues," a coming-of-age football comedy directed by Brian Robbins, director of the 1997 hit family comedy "Good Burger," cowriter and director of the award-winning Nickelodeon show "Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal," and executive producer of the HBO comedy "Arli$$." The Marquee Tollin/Robbins Production in association with Tova Laiter Productions stars James Van Der Beek, Jon Voight, and Paul Walker. "Varsity Blues" is produced by Tova Laiter, Mike Tollin, and Brian Robbins, and executive produced by David Gale and Van Toffler, with Elysa Koplovitz serving as associate producer. The screenwriter is W. Peter Iliff.
