NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Razor & Tie) - It happens to the best of them: Journey. Judas Priest. Van Halen. And now, The
Chipmunks need their Sammy Hagar. After 50 years with the same line-up, Alvin has left the band. One of America's most beloved and biggest-selling artists will be holding tryouts for a new lead vocalist-and the job's available to anyone who visits www.chipmunkaudition.com.
The band parted ways with longtime frontman Alvin following the smash success of the 2007 movie Alvin and The Chipmunks and its accompanying Top 10 soundtrack, which is nearing platinum sales. It seems Alvin is leaving the band high and dry right before the November release of The Chipmunks latest album, UNDENIABLE.
'The last time I yelled ALVIN!, he was nowhere to be found,' says longtime Chipmunks songwriter/producer David Seville. 'I mean, he usually makes me do it three times. After that we work it out. But no. Then I saw that item on Perez Hilton about him and Miley Cyrus dining out at Geisha House with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake,' Seville continues. 'I've been in this business since 1958. I know a guy who's looking to make a solo record when I see one.'
Alvin could not be reached for comment. 'Theodore and I have seen this sort of thing before,' says brother and band mate Simon. 'Success is going to his little furry head.' 'Dude thinks he's a movie star,' adds Theodore.
But with a new album, UNDENIABLE, hitting the stores November 4th, The Chipmunks can't wait for their egocentric former leader to regain his senses. And while the band considered filling Alvin's paws with Steve Perry-'Don't Stop Believin'' is one of the new record's highlights-they ultimately felt an unknown would bring new energy.
Visitors to www.chipmunkaudition.com will be able to upload a video to the band's YouTube channel and view current news. Any song will be accepted and costumes, props and other creative ideas are also welcome.
'I've said it before-I've been lucky to work with just one interpretive vocalist as great as Alvin,' says Seville. 'It's gonna be a thrill to search the whole world for another. Now I know how Max Martin felt, getting to work with Britney Spears and Kelly Clarkson.'
Working with a brand new singer will be one last huge change for a band that has already reinvented itself over the course of more than 40 albums, whether it's Christmas, country-western, punk or hip-hop. Like its predecessors, UNDENIABLE showcases a band that's mastered every style, from the funky title track and remix of 'We're The Chipmunks' (the theme song from the popular cartoon series) to a moving version of Bob Marley's 'Three Little Birds.' There's also a new holiday hit in 'Ho Ho Ho,' an epic take on Bon Jovi's 'Livin' On a Prayer' and an inspired version of Led Zeppelin's 'Rock and Roll.' Rising pop star Drew Seeley (High School Musical soundtracks, Another Cinderella Story) is also featured on a duet of the classic disco hit 'Shake Your Groove Thing.'
'With all the hubbub of the movie, it has been a long time since we rocked n' rolled,' says Simon.
'The Chipmunks have always been about the music, man. We want somebody who feels the same way. I'm excited to see all the YouTube videos.'
'Me too,' adds Theodore. 'But don't you think 'Theodore and The Chipmunks' has a nice ring to it?'
