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Harmonix explains Rock Band 3 legacy track upgrades, pricing
This week's Bon Jovi Rock Band DLC will include previously released tracks that now have an "RB3 Version." There was confusion about whether these songs, which now include keyboard and harmony support, would have their previous "legacy" versions upgraded for free. That will not be the case. Harmonix explains those who own the legacy versions will have to pay the $2 for the new RB3 Version if they'd like to have the keyboard and harmony upgrade. Also, for those who want the Pro Guitar and Bass versions of the songs, they'll have to buy the RB3 Version, plus pay another buck for the "Pro" upgrade. A Harmonix rep explained to Joystiq that the developer hopes to have the Pro Guitar/Bass versions available for the legacy versions -- without having to pay the $2 for the RB3 Version as well -- in the future, but that this won't be available for the Bon Jovi tracks. So, the short of it is: if you want the keyboard and harmony upgrades, you'll have to pony up the Jefferson ... that's who's on the two dollar bill. Yes, there's such a thing as a two dollar bill.
Rock Band Weekly: Bon Jovi, Deftones, New Order, Talking Heads
Next week's Rock Band DLC adds the Bon Jovi Greatest Hits: Rock Band Edition album. The pack includes 12 of the band's chart-toppers, with some previously released tracks re-released for Rock Band 3 with support for Keys, Pro Keys, Pro Drums and harmonies -- you'll also have the option to add Pro Guitar and Bass parts for an extra dollar. (As for why we chose the above Bon Jovi album art for this post, the particular cover and music video always seemed inspired by Ghost in the Shell:SAC's The Laughing Man; available on Netflix instant watch.) There will also be individual songs from Deftones, New Order and Talking Heads available next week. A standalone complex of details on all the tracks can be found after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Anthrax, Doobie Brothers and more
Next week's Rock Band DLC will digitally distribute a whole lot of Anthrax. A five-pack of the thrash metal band's hits will be available, with "Caught In a Mosh" held up in the Rock Band 3 disc. Individual tracks will also make it into the store from the Doobie Brothers, My Chemical Romance, 30 Seconds to Mars, Atreyu and Buckcherry. Check out the set list details after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Dio, Morrissey and many more
Next week's Rock Band DLC represents quite the buffet of artists. Dio's "Holy Diver" and "Stand Up and Shout" are in there, but you'll have to wait until Rock Band 3 to play the band's classic "Rainbow in the Dark." There's also a double-dose of Morrissey with "Irish Blood, English Heart" from his later solo days and "This Charming Man" from The Smiths era. Finally, you'll find tracks from Juliana Hatfield, Silverchair and Underoath. Check out the details after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Snoop Dogg
Fo' rizzle, Snoop Dogg be the Rock Band DLCizzle next week. The track pack has been a long, long ... long time coming, but it's finally here to bust out flows like ... no. Sorry, no. We can't do this.
Rock Band Weekly: The Black Keys, Neon Trees
It's a double dose of three packs for Rock Band DLC next week. The Black Keys were already revealed to be on the bill, while the Neon Trees remained relatively hidden -- irony. We've placed next week's Rock Band update details after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Ministry
Ministry are back with a second pack of three songs for Rock Band DLC next week. Yes, it's been a long time since a Rock Band Weekly only had three tracks in it. We'll have to wait and see if this remains the trend leading up to the release of Rock Band 3 on October 26. We've administered next week's Rock Band update details after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: The Grateful Dead to Smithereens
We know, we know! The last thing that should happen when somebody mentions the Grateful Dead -- undeniably one of the most culturally significant bands of the 20th century -- is that our brain immediately goes to delicious ice cream. Sorry, but word association works in magical ways. Grateful Dead to Jerry Garcia to Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia. Full details on next week's Rock Band DLC, featuring the Grateful Dead and The Smithereens, can be found after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: No Doubt's Tragic Kingdom, Orianthi, Picture Me Broken
Next week's Rock Band DLC adds "the deep cuts" from Tragic Kingdom, No Doubt's 1995 breakthrough album. The singles from that album were actually added to Rock Band way back in December 2008. Those interested in the tracks have the option to buy the full Tragic Kingdom album, just the remaining songs (if they purchased the singles back in the day) or each song individually. Also, as a reminder, PSN updates will change to Tuesday in North America starting next week. So, PS3 owners are now able to pick up their Rock Band DLC on the same day as everyone else. Yay for equality. Check out next week's full list of DLC releases after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Coheed and Cambria, Siouxsie, Supergrass, Violent Femmes
Vocalists, get out your water bottles and start warming up now because a Coheed and Cambria track pack is the highlight of next week's Rock Band DLC. Also, for the first time, The Violent Femmes are available on Rock Band with "American Music." Check out next week's full DLC release list after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Serj Tankian, Smash Mouth, The Used
Serj Tankian or The Used should probably be our focus for next week's Rock Band DLC -- however, we can't get Smash Mouth's "All Star," also available next week, out of our heads. That song is the musical equivalent of one of those brain beetles from Wrath of Khan. Get it out, get it out, get it out! Ahhhhhh! Check out the full release list after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Anberlin, Hawk Nelson, Skillet, Superchick, Switchfoot & Thousand Foot Krutch
Next week's Rock Band DLC features a mix of bands. Although music afficionados may recognize several of the tracks, the only one that jumps out at us is Switchfoot's "Meant to Live" ... and the only reason for that is because it's on the Spider-Man 2 soundtrack. (Gawd, we are such nerds.) All of next week's tracks will also be available in Lego Rock Band. Check out the full release list after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: X, Carrie Underwood, Little Fish, Ace Frehley, OneRepublic
Despite American punk rock band X being next week's featured Rock Band DLC pack artist, we decided to go with a picture of Carrie Underwood. Why? Isn't it obvious?! Her single, "All-American Girl," available next week, speaks to the struggles of the middle-class American female. Of gender roles, a father's love and providing babies for your husband. It's like the "American Pie" of a new generation. So that's why Underwood gets featured with that "how do I spend my next million, y'all?" look. Check out the full release list after the break.
Rock Band Weekly Redux: Lady Gaga, Cartman, 3 Doors Down, Mute Math, The Subways
Lady Gaga was already announced for Rock Band's DLC update next week -- but she's bringing friends along. The pop sensation will be joined by some, ahem, actual rock bands. Check out next week's full list of releases after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Lady Gaga, Cartman's 'Poker Face'
Don't even lie! You're just as excited as any club kid that boundary-pushing pop sensation Lady Gaga is coming to Rock Band next week. So, in the privacy of your living room, break out the tight-fitting pleather and get your jam on (to the tracks you, publicly, tell everyone you hate). Of course, you could pretend you "accidentally" bought the Gaga Track Pack, when you actually meant to purchase South Park chubby charmer Eric Cartman's rendition of "Poker Face." Yup, that lil' ditty will also be available. See, now you can cover up that undeniable desire to go goo-goo for Gaga with a veil of irony! Check out the full release list after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Disturbed, Mother Hips, Silversun Pickups, TRUSTcompany
Next week's Rock Band DLC is quite ... eclectic? Yeah, let's go with that. With such variety, there's sure to be something that people will love -- or love to hate, which is typically the case. There's a track pack from chart-topping band Disturbed, with three songs off its 10th anniversary edition of The Sickness album. Meanwhile, Grammy-nominated band Silversun Pickups also contribute a couple more tracks to the DLC pile. Click past the jump for the full list of new additions!
Rock Band Weekly: Chesney, Gentry, Flatts, Evans, Adkins & Willie Nelson
Next week's Rock Band Weekly update puts country stars on the road again, yup, they just can't wait to get on the road again. So, this is the part where I confess that I know little to nothing about the artists featured in the next update. Honestly, the closest I get to country is driving in my friend's pick-up along the forest-filled back roads of Connecticut. Check out the full pricing and track details for the console releases after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Tom Petty, Phoenix, Silvertide
OK, so next week's Rock Band DLC doesn't include "Mary Jane's Last Dance" (pictured above) -- that was included in the previous Tom Petty live anthology pack -- but that video is all we can think of when someone mentions Petty. Well, that and the "Don't Come Around Here No More" video, which had Petty playing The Mad Hatter and is also positively frightening -- but that song is in neither pack. Beyond Petty memories of our broken childhood, next week's update also includes tracks from Phoenix and Silvertide. Check out pricing and track details for the console releases after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Alice in Chains
Rock Band Weekly features one act next week: Alice In Chains. The band, which has sold 17 million albums worldwide, released a new album last September after ... yikes, fourteen years! (Hey, at least they didn't go all Duke Nukem Forever, right?) Next week's DLC track pack includes two songs from the new album, along with "We Die Young" from the band's debut record, plus two ditties from their self-titled 1995 album. Check out complete pricing and track details for the console releases after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Paul McCartney, Blink-182, Psychedelic Furs, Ramones
Paul McCartney, in a non-Beatles outing, rings in the new year for next week's Rock Band Weekly update. The 67-year-old rocker (good on him!) will have the company of a Blink-182 pack, along with individual tracks from The Psychedelic Furs and The Ramones. Ringo might be in there too, but nobody would notice either way -- poor Ringo. Check out pricing and track details for the console releases after the break.
