FIRST OFF . . .

U2 announced Friday that its new album, “Rattle and Hum,” would be released to stores Oct. 3, with the double LP’s first single, “Desire.” The set will contain 15 tracks in all: nine new songs recorded this past winter and spring, and six live cuts from the band’s “Joshua Tree” tour of the United States last year, including covers of “Helter Skelter,” “All Along the Watchtower” and the Jimi Hendrix-style “Star Spangled Banner.” The live cuts are among those to be featured in a U2 concert film, directed by Phil Jouanou and due out this year. Among the sidemen sitting in with Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Millen on the studio tracks are Bob Dylan (on organ and backing vocals), Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench, B.B. King and Brian Eno. The double album on Island Records is expected to be sold for less than $18.