Pitchfork

The holidays are supposed to be a time of togetherness, where we all exchange presents and warm feelings. But don't tell that to nemeses of Noël the Hives and Cyndi Lauper, who hear "ho ho ho" as fightin' words.

The two will engage in "A Christmas Duel" this yuletide season, a new holiday-themed single set to hit the Hives website as a free download November 28-30 and music stores in the UK December 1 and in the States the next day from the Orchard.

In a statement, the Hives note, "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." Lauper adds, "This goes to show even rat sideswipers can have a good Xmas too." You know what? She's so unusual.

Cyndi's currently spending the shopping season in South America (when she isn't hanging out on "Gossip Girl"), while the Hives have but one live engagement planned before SantaJesus' birthday, and quite a few afterwards. They'll hit "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on November 20.

The Hives:

11-22 Mexico City, Mexico - Sports Palace (Rockampeonato Telcel Final)
12-29 Melbourne, Australia - The Forum
12-30 Lorne, Australia - Falls Festival
12-31 Marion Bay, Australia - Falls Festival
01-02 Busselton, Australia - Southbound Festival
01-06 Sydney, Australia - Metro Theatre
01-07 Brisbane, Australia - Sunset Sounds Festival
04-01 Osaka, Japan - Big Cat
04-02 Nagoya, Japan - Diamond Hall
04-03 Tokyo, Japan - Shibuya-Ax

Cyndi Lauper:

11-14 Sao Paolo, Brazil - Via Funcal
11-15 Belo Horizonte, Brazil - Freegells Music
11-17 Curitiba, Brazil - Teatro Positivo
11-19 Porto Alegre Brazil, - Teatro do Bourbon Country
11-21 Buenos Aires, Argentina - Luna Park
11-22 Rosario, Argentina - Theatre Broadway
11-23 Cordoba, Argentina - Superdomo Orfeo
11-25 Santiago, Chile - Teatro Caupolican
11-27 Lima, Peru - Estadio Nacional
11-29 Caracas, Venezuela - Aula Magna UCV