(NEW YORK) - Two more bands from the U.K.'s West Yorkshire conurbation have followed Chumbawamba's lead and signed directly to German labels.|

New Model Army's self-produced album, Strange Brotherhood, was due Friday from EMI Electrola in Germany, and will see a continental European release this summer. (U.K. indie Eagle Records will release the record April 14.)

The act's manager, Tommy Tee, tells Billboard's Dominic Pride, "The German audience has a better understanding of where the band fits in."

Leeds, England, duo Hipkiss has a deal with Columbia Germany, care of Dance Pool label chief Markus Wenzl. The band drew U.K. plaudits for its catchy 12-inch promotional single "Glamourpussy," released on the now-defunct Copasetic label in 1996. Its current album, Bluebird, blends cabaret leanings with spy-movie sound and came outearly this year to critical acclaim.

The band embarks on a seven-date German club tour May 12-18.