Brotherly Love

The Doobie Brothers, who got back together last year for 11 reunion concerts (including a July 4 appearance in Moscow), have gone one step further--they’ll begin recording a new album next month that could be out as early as late summer. But here’s the big surprise: After spending its entire 12-year career on Warner Bros. Records, the band has signed with Capitol Records.

“Initially, we were going to do the record at Warners, but there seemed to be a distinct lack of enthusiasm from certain key people over there,” said guitarist and vocalist Tom Johnston, who is back with the group with all six original members, including guitarist Patrick Simmons and drummer John Hartman. “After everything dragged on and on, we just decided to go somewhere else.”

Capitol is run by chairman Joe Smith and president David Berman--both former Warners execs.

Said Johnston: “Joe originally signed us at Warners and we knew David, so that definitely played a part in the decision.”