SMALL FACES: Geffen has signed hot Chicago...

SMALL FACES: Geffen has signed hot Chicago alternative band Urge Overkill. The band recently released its final indie EP, “Stull,” on the Touch n’ Go label. . . . Geffen is also in the bidding, apparently with just about every other major label, for the English group Suede. The group, featured on a recent cover of the English paper Melody Maker, flew to L.A. for a meeting with Geffen exec Tom Zutaut. . . . And the New York-based Cell is the first signing to Sonic Youth’s new independent label Ecstatic Peace. . . .

He’s bad, he’s nationwide: Rip magazine editor Lonn Friend is now inflicting his weekly Pirate Radio metal gabfest on the rest of the country. Westwood One has picked it up for national syndication. . . . In similar radio news: Slash (no last name) and Lars (no last name needed) are scheduled to take live calls on the July 13 edition of the syndicated radio show Rockline, previewing the upcoming tour pairing their respective bands, Guns N’ Roses and Metallica. The show will be heard on KLOS-FM at 8:30 p.m.