Weezer Sign to Epitaph, Announce 'Hurley' Album

Weezer are officially going indie. After a 16-year arrangement with Geffen Records, the band has signed to Epitaph Records. The news first broke when label owner/founder -- and Bad Religion guitarist -- Brett Gurewitz announced it on Twitter Wednesday night. Frontman Rivers Cuomo has since confirmed the story, announcing a September release and album title.

"Hey, Weezer is happy to announce our signing to @epitaphrecs and release of new album 'Hurley' on September 14," Rivers Tweeted late Wednesday, piggybacking on Gurewitz's announcement. Mr. Brett -- as he is known to fans of Bad Religion – earlier said, "Rivers, Pat, Brian and Scott, Welcome to Epitaph homies! FT=W=."

Earlier in the month, Cuomo suggested that a new album was imminent, mulling titles like 'Heavy Mental' in interviews. The band's last album, 'Raditude' fulfilled its obligations to Geffen/Interscope.

The new arrangement with Epitaph, home to other punk giants like Rancid and Social Distortion, and its Anti- imprint, which has a roster of diverse performers like Billy Bragg, Neko Case and Tom Waits, seems like a sensible fit. In fact, drummer Pat Wilson's side project, the Special Goodness, released an album, 'Land, Air, Sea' via the label in January 2004.