Does your band need a van?

Volkswagen of America is seeking college bands to perform in its College Music Tour “Battle of the Bands” Contest.

By entering the contest your band could be eligible to win a two-year lease on a 2003 Volkswagen EuroVan.

Check out the details of the contest at www.radiovw.com.

Former Metallica bassist gets sued

Unsigned Dallas-based rock band Echo Drain has filed an eight-count trademark-infringement lawsuit against former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted, his new group, and his record label, Chophouse Records. The suit filed last week in L.A. District Court alleges that the name of Newsted’s new act, Echobrain, causes “confusion” or “deception” among music consumers.

The suit says Newsted “deliberately” used the Echobrain name to infringe on Echo Drain’s rights and material, including pirating a song title for his band’s eponymous debut album.

“When you go out and buy Web sites that are not in your name but in the name of the competitor, it not only shows that you know who they are; it shows that you want to hurt them,” says Echo Drain’s attorney, Morris Getzels.

Echo Drain seeks at least $1 million in damages and unspecified punitive damages, says Getzels.

-News gathered by Trevor Fisher from billboard.com