"We think that the only similarity [between the Hot Tubs and Green Day] is that we are the same band. That is basically the only similarity," the band's e-mail said. Why did the Bay Area trio decide to make this announcement? I asked Corporate Rock Still Sells columnist Al Shipley if he had any theories, and you may be unsurprised to learn that they mostly involve marketing.

"['Mother Mary'] just dropped off the Modern chart this week," Al said to me via IM. "I guess this'll get it back on there pretty quickly now... the album release is still three weeks away, so maybe they were getting nervous that interest has already peaked. - more on this story

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