The B-52’s are ready for another wave

Fifteen years after their last album of new material, the B-52’s are wrapping up work on their next one.

The quirky dance-pop outfit, which burst onto the new wave scene in 1979 with songs like “Rock Lobster� and cracked the pop charts in the late ‘80s with the party classics “Love Shack� and “Roam,� returned to its hometown of Athens, Ga. to finish recording the as-yet-unnamed record.

“We all lived down there for two months and just got back in the swing of things,� singer Fred Schneider said from his home on Long Island, N.Y.

Schneider said the group, which has been performing together since 1998 after taking an extended break, always had intentions of recording again. But with members living in New York, Georgia and Florida, it was tricky to get together and write new material.

Schneider said the 11 new tracks will maintain the B-52’s’ danceable, party vibe but will showcase some new directions. The plan is to release it early next year, although the band is still shopping for a label to release it.