NEW U.K. SIGNINGS: I'LL BE DAMNED

Punk legends The Damned have signed to Search and Destroy—a JV between Spinefarm Records, Universal and Raw Power Management—ahead of releasing their first album in nearly a decade, and 11th overall. The British band joins a handful of other acts with new deals in Blighty this week.

Backlash Management’s Jamal Chalabi, who manages The Damned, brokered the deal with Commercial Director Don Jenkins. Their new album will be recorded this summer and is the follow-up to 2008’s So, Who’s Paranoid?

“There was so much enthusiasm from the guys at Search and Destroy for working with The Damned that we had no hesitation in signing to the label,” Chalabi said. “They are passionate music fans who run a successful, global business and I have no doubts they will do a great job on this new album.”

Elsewhere, Cher Lloyd, who first came to prominence on the U.K.’s X Factor in 2011 before being launched in the U.S. by Epic across two albums, has new management with ie.music (Robbie Williams, Passenger, Lily Allen). She's no longer signed as a recording artist to Sony—will another major swoop in?

In publishing news, London producers Da Beat Freakz have signed an exclusive deal with Amsterdam dance pubco Cloud 9 Music. The duo will be represented by Bucks Music Group in the U.K. They’ve worked with Usher, Jeremih and Chris Brown, and have possible cuts on Sean Paul’s upcoming album.