A Smashing Pumpkins B-sides and rarities album...

A Smashing Pumpkins B-sides and rarities album is in the works, probably to be released in the fall following the group’s expected gig on the “Lollapalooza ‘94” tour. The collection will include several songs that were released only in Europe, plus one of the band’s first singles, originally released by Seattle’s Sub Pop Records. . . .

Part two of Depeche Mode’s world tour is set to begin in May, with dates being planned late that month at both the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre and the Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion in Devore. . . .

Bryan Ferry is working on a new album with Robin Trower co-producing. Unlike last year’s “Taxi,” a collection of suave versions of old pop and soul songs, this will be all original material. Trower also has completed his own album, “20th Century Blues,” due from his own V12 label in May. . . .

Both Spanish and English versions of a new Jon Secada album will be released simultaneously at the end of May. The singer’s last album broke new ground for bilingual pop, scoring hits in both languages. . . .

Having switched labels, Huey Lewis & the News are making their Elektra debut with an album of ‘50s and ‘60s R&B; favorites. Among the songs the band recorded are “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” “Your Cash Ain’t Nothin’ but Trash” and “Little Bitty Pretty One.” . . .

Touted noise-rock duo Royal Trux has signed with Virgin Records after a stint on the independent Drag City label. . . .

Great White, dropped by Capitol Records in last year’s roster purge, is now on Zoo Records with a new album, “Sail Away,” due May 10. The collection is said to be a more blues-rock approach from the pop-metal band and will be packaged with a free live greatest-hits CD. . . .

Rev. Horton Heat has recruited Ministry’s Al Jourgensen to produce his next album, “Liquor in the Front.” This joint release from Interscope and Sub Pop is the first major-label album for the wild-man rocker. . . .

Bill Lloyd, formerly of Nashville country-rock duo Foster & Lloyd, has a rock album, “Set to Pop,” due next month. His guests include Marshall Crenshaw, Jody Stephens of Big Star, Al Kooper and former E Streeter Garry Tallent. Lloyd is also in a new, yet-unnamed band with former Doobie Brother Pat Simmons, Poco co-founder Rusty Young and John Cowan, formerly of New Grass Revival. They’ll be recording for Warner Nashville.