Billboard Bits: ODB, Smash Mouth, Spain

Recently paroled rap iconoclast Ol’ Dirty Bastard is the first subject of VH1’s new series “InsideOUT,” which debuts Aug. 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the cable music channel. Contrary to new record deal with Roc-A-Fella Records, dealing with his 13 children and their mothers and returning to writing and performing after spending two years in jail.

As previously reported, ODB is now going by the name Dirt McGirt. He returns to active duty under that moniker with an appearance on the Neptunes-spearheaded compilation “Clones,” due Aug. 5 from Star Trak/Arista.

— Troy Carpenter, N.Y.

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A limited edition Smash Mouth CD will be distributed free Aug. 3-10 with purchases at Mervyn’s retail stores. The band recorded versions of “Schoolhouse Rock” favorites “Conjunction Junction,” “I’m Just a Bill” and “Interjections” for the disc, which will also feature a remix of Smash Mouth’s 1999 hit “All Star” and new song “Fun.”

To advertise the back-to-school promotion, Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell will star in a TV spot for Mervyn’s, a Target Corporation company, with 266 locations in 14 states. “This experience has been kind of surreal for me because growing up as a kid, Mervyn’s was the place we shopped,” Harwell says in a statement. “And now, my music is in Mervyn’s stores — even the store I grew up down the street from.”

“Fun” will appear on Smash Mouth’s forthcoming album, “Get the Picture?” The set is due Tuesday (Aug. 5) via Interscope. First single “You Are My Number One” is No. 31 on Billboard’s Adult Top 40 chart. The video for the track can be seen on the band’s official Web site.

— Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.

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Highlights of dreamy jazz influenced rock act Spain’s career will be collected on an upcoming disc due Oct. 21 via Restless Records. The bulk of the 16 tracks that make up “Spirituals…The Best of Spain” are culled from the band’s three albums. The set is rounded out by two songs previously available only on now out-of-print Nathanus Records 7″ vinyl releases and a trio of songs performed live for KCRW Los Angeles’ “Morning Becomes Eclectic.”

Led by Josh Haden — a bassist like his father, jazz great Charlie Haden, and sister, that dog’s Petra Haden — Spain disbanded in 2001. Josh Haden is working on a solo album, due in 2004 via DreamWorks.

Here is the “Spirituals…The Best of Spain” track list:

“It’s So True”
“Ten Nights”
“Untitled #1”
“Spiritual”
“Easy Lover”
“Nobody Has To Know”
“Waiting For You To Come”
“She Haunts My Dreams”
“You Were Meant For Me”
“Make Your Body Move”
“Long Time Ago”
“I Lied” (from a 1994 Nathanus Records 7″ single)
“Her-Used-To-Been” (from a 1994 Nathanus Records 7″ single)
“Ten Nights” (live on KCRW Sept. 12, 1995)
“Funny How Time Slips Away” (live on KCRW April 29, 1996)
“September Song” (live on KCRW April 29, 1996)

— Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.