Billboard Bits: Pearl Jam, Judas Priest, Mark Kozelek

Pearl Jam has written a new song for the upcoming Tim Burton film “Big Fish,” which opens Dec. 10 in select U.S. cities and Jan. 23 in wider release. The cut, “Man of the Hour,” was debuted earlier this week at an acoustic benefit concert in Seattle. At deadline, it is unclear whether the song will appear on the Sony soundtrack, due Dec. 9, only in the film itself or both.

The album will feature a score by frequent Burton collaborator Danny Elfman and a host of era-spanning tracks to be determined, according to a label spokesperson. “Big Fish” stars Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup and Jessica Lange in the tale of a father’s relationship with his estranged son.

— Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

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Veteran heavy metal act Judas Priest has gathered music videos, television appearances and a long out-of-print concert film for a new DVD. Due Dec. 9 from Sony Music, “Electric Eye” will feature 13 videos spanning 1980 to 1990, including “Breaking the Law,” “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” and “Turbo Lover.”

The “Priest…Live!” concert video was filmed in Dallas during the band’s 1986 Fuel for Life tour, and features the band performing 19 songs. Rounding out the DVD are seven performance clips from BBC shows “Old Grey Whistle Test” and “Top of the Pops.” The oldest finds the group performing the title track of its debut album, “Rocka Rolla,” in 1975, while the most recent is a 1980 run through “United” from that year’s “British Steel” album.

Having newly reunited with singer Rob Halford, Judas Priest will release a new studio album next year and launch a world tour to mark its 30th anniversary.

— Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.

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As tipped here last month, Red House Painters/Sun Kil Moon frontman Mark Kozelek will embark on a short solo acoustic tour this winter. The trek begins Dec. 5 in Chicago and thus far includes six dates through Jan. 22 in Kozelek’s San Francisco homebase. Sun Kil Moon’s Jetset debut, “Ghosts of the Great Highway,” will be released Nov. 4, with a full band tour to follow next spring.

Kozelek said he is looking forward to touring with a different group of musicians than his longtime Red House Painters mates. “It’s going to be interesting,” he continues, “because I’ve been playing with the same guys for close to 15 years. It’s going to be a different experience.”

— Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.