Total Assault - Van Wilder: The Rise Of Taj Soundtrack

MGM’s upcoming major motion picture release of National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj will give audiences a raunchy collegiate crash course in Party 101 this December and indie label Eleven Seven Music will release the film’s soundtrack on November 21st, 2006. The 16-song compilation goes all night, featuring a steady stream of party-ready rock anthems from a motley crew of artists who have inspired their own cult followings. The soundtrack includes Buckcherry’s smash hit “Crazy Bitch,” Everclear’s newest single, “Hater,” never-before released tracks from Hanson and The Exies, along with catchy songs from buzz bands like Brandston, Jonny Lives!, The Lashes, The Ordinary Boys, Punchline, Reuben, Starlight Mints, and The Alternate Routess, among others.

When National Lampoon’s Van Wilder was released in 2002, actor Kal Penn inspired a cult following for his portrayal of Taj. In the upcoming sequel, Taj heads to England’s prestigious Camford University to further his studies, and in the process, teaches the uptight student body how to party.

The soundtrack’s lead cut – “Get Steady” from Jonny Lives! is a blaring hallelujah to the weekend and celebrates cutting loose above all else. The song is featured in the movie trailer and the film, so it was only natural that the film’s star, Kal Penn (making his directorial debut) and film director Mort Nathan, would make a music video for the song. The video will be included as enhanced content on the soundtrack. Shot in Los Angeles on September 14th, it’s a “Hot For Teacher” meets “Good Mornin’ Little Schoolgirl” visual-mash-up-gone-wild.

The other artists that set the tone on the National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj soundtrack know a thing or two about amping up the party vibe. Everclear has sold over 5 million albums, Buckcherry’s latest single is the 4th most-played song at Active Rock radio, indie-pop favorites Hanson have sold over 8 million albums, and Marion Raven is Meat Loaf’s lady love on “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now,” the first single on the upcoming Bat Out of Hell III album. Meanwhile, The Starlight Mints are currently on tour with Mates of State, and The Alternate Routes have toured with the Dave Matthews Band. Punchline recently released an album through Fall Out Boy’s Fueled By Ramen, UK faves The Ordinary Boys will tour the UK in October and are currently featured in NME Magazine, and The Lashes are Columbia Records newest pop/rock signing. Los Angeles’s modern rock band The Exies new song on the Van Wilder soundtrack is the precursor to an upcoming album with Eleven Seven Music. MTV’s band breaking channels (MTVu, MTV2) and programming (Laguna Beach, The Real World) have featured the music of The Skies of America, David Hopkins, and Brandston alike.

MGM’s “National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj” will be released in theatres nationwide on December 1, 2006.