Hives Christmas Song Announced

Swedish garage punks The Hives have announced details of a new collaboration with Cyndi Lauper on a forthcoming Christmas single.

The band will release 'A Christmas Duel' as a free download on November 28th, before it becomes available to buy on the beginning of advent - December 1st.

In a new statement the band said: "It may sound weird and come as a surprise to some, but we had to. It came to us. It landed in our lap and was way too good to shake or toss. We knew we had to record it. A sign if you will."

80s singer Cyndi Lauper also released a statement saying, bizarrely, "this goes to show even rat sideswipers can have a good Xmas too."

The Hives are currently working on the follow up to last year's spectacular record 'The Black And White Album'.

The Hives will release new festive duet with Cyndi Lauper 'A Christmas Duel' on November 28th, with a commercial release on December 1st.