From the Associated Press, October 10

Punk Rock? Fine With Duran Duran
© The Associated Press -- LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP)

The Duran Duran Tribute Album has remakes of Duran Duran's old songs by ska and punk bands, and that's just fine for lead singer Simon LeBon.

"Some songs no longer belong to you once they're released," said LeBon, 38. "I've never had a problem with what people do with our songs because it sounds really different from us. It's just their approach to the songs."

The British pop band, whose popularity peaked in the 1980s, is kicking off a 16-city U.S. tour to promote their latest recording, Medazzaland, which has all new, original material. The reorganized band -- including LeBon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and guitarist Warren Cuccurullo -- combines techno and electronic beats, giving the new album a disco-type sound.

The Duran Duran Tribute Album went on sale Tuesday. Medazzaland goes on sale Oct. 14. The band's tour begins in Boston on Oct. 13, and concludes Dec. 10 in Los Angeles.