The nightclubs of Minneapolis are famous for spawning Prince's 'Dirty Mind,' Husker Du's hardcore vitriol and the Replacements' world-class drunkenness. Hardly the stuff of family values.

But with the Republican National Convention taking place in the Twin Cities over the first days of September, Minneapolis clubs such as First Avenue and the Fine Line Music Cafe are renting themselves out for private parties for thousands of incoming Republican delegates. Sammy Hagar, Smash Mouth, Chris Daughtry and Big Head Todd are among the marquee names expected to perform.

"It might not be a great fit, but it's better than being closed for four days," as First Avenue's talent booker told the Star Tribune. A slow summer and the predictable lull of Labor Day weekend have kept local clubs scrambling for business. Hey, it can't hurt the Republicans' square, pressed-pants image to do a little good-natured slumming in some seedy bathrooms.

Oh, right -- they have a senator who tried that already.

Van Halen

Old Singers: David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar
New Singer: Gary Cherone

Third time was decidedly not the charm when it came to Van Halen finding a replacement for a replacement. The nicknames of the respective frontmen should have been ample warning: Going from "Diamond Dave" to "The Red Rocker" to "That Guy From What Was That Band? Oh, Yeah, Extreme; No, Not the Guitarist -- Though He Was Pretty Good -- the Other Guy" is rock devolution in a nutshell.

On This Date in 1986: Sammy Hagar makes his live performance debut as lead singer of Van Halen at a show in Shreveport, La.

The Almanac Advises for March 27: "For a step-parent entering a new family, the key to acceptance is that you not challenge the children's allegiance to their biological parent , who can sometimes feel torn when they actually enjoy the company of the step-parent. Instead, give yourself time to win them over, and don't try to compare yourself to the missing parent."

Looks like the third time will be the charm for David Lee Roth and Van Halen. After two false starts, the '80s rock powerhouse is re-treaming for a road trip. A Los Angeles press conference is planned for next week, where Roth, along with Alex van Halen and Eddie van Halen, are expected to announce a 50-city arena tour of the U.S., beginning in October, with Eddie's son, Wolfgang, on bass.

The group first threatened to reform when Roth appeared onstage with the group at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards, though lingering personality conflicts killed the reunion before it began. Rumors of the reformation surfaced again in January of this year, though the proposed summer tour plans were squelched after Eddie Van Halen entered rehab in March. That same month, the group -- along with original bassist Michael Anthony and Roth replacement Sammy Hagar -- was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.