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Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero: June DLC
[flickr] June's shaping up to be quite a packed month for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero DLC aficionados. On top of a free pack of national anthems for Xbox 360 and PS3 users -- you haven't lived until you've rocked out to Germany's national anthem, "Lied der Deutschen," by the way -- three separate band track packs will be available. These will feature Stone Temple Pilots, Alice Cooper and All Time Low. Head past the break to check out the full list of DLC. We have a feeling that Spanish foreign exchange student staying with your family this summer is going to be pumped to play some "Marcha Real."
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero: May DLC
It's the beginning of the month, which means it's time to run down the list of Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero DLC. In May, we're getting three separate track packs -- the last week of the month seems to be void of anything new, for some reason. Like alternative pop ensembles like Snow Patrol and Alpha Rev? How about classic rock troupes such as Steve Miller Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd? How about Love in an Elevator? No, we mean the Aerosmith song, not that time you were trapped and -- forget we said anything. Head past the break for the full list of DLC for May.
Activision fails to have No Doubt lawsuit dismissed
If the whole West, Zampella and Activision kerfluffle is no longer satisfying your desire for daily litigation drama, we'd like to point you to an old friend we haven't heard from in a while. We speak, of course, of the No Doubt vs. Activision lawsuit, in which the former accused the latter of infringing on its right-of-publicity by allowing their in-game Band Hero avatars to be used to sing other recording artists' songs in the game. According to the LA Times, Activision recently attempted to invoke freedom-of-speech protections under the 1st Amendment to have the case dismissed out-of-hand -- a tactic shot down by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Kenji Machida. Though Activision has the option to appeal this decision, it looks like the folks from No Doubt might have a chance at taking back their intellectual property and forming a new studio under EA. Wait -- we mixed them up again, didn't we? Yeah, we did.
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero: April DLC
Next month's musical lineup for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero is as wide and varied as a kiddie pool full of Sweet 'n Salty Chex Mix, bringing in tracks from Fall Out Boy, The All-American Rejects, Phoenix, Blur, Saving Abel, and Black Sabbath. However, there's one track in particular that stands proudly above the rest -- one which will surely soon skyrocket to the top of the "Most Played" charts. You know, that song that everyone requests at every concert. What? Dolly Parton's "9 to 5?" What kind of concerts have you been going to? No sir -- we're talking about "Free Bird," which will be available tomorrow, barring some horrific April Fools' Day shenanigans. Check out the full list of tracks, along with their release dates, past the jump.
'80s Track Pack available now for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero
As expected, the '80s Track Pack for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero is now available for download on all the various consoles, featuring three respectable songs from the decade of New Wave and hair bands. Well, two or three, depending on how you like The Go-Gos. The entire thing is available for 440 on Xbox Live, $5.49 on PSN, or 550 Wii Points, and the individual songs are as follows: "Girls, Girls, Girls" by Motley Crue (160/ $1.99 / 200 Wii Points) "We Got the Beat" by The Go-Go's (160 / $1.99 / 200 Wii Points) "Sister Christian" by Night Ranger (160/ $1.99 / 200 Wii Points) Say what you want about "We Got the Beat," but we won't tolerate hating on the Crue or Night Ranger and, from the looks of those hairstyles above, they won't either. These songs are available now for both games, so get yourself mo-tor-in' on over to the store if you want 'em.
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero: March DLC
Next month's Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero DLC should satisfy would-be rockers of all types, offering an eclectic mix of -- oh, there's totally some Flogging Molly! Sorry, we just had to get that out of our system, because St. Patrick's Day is next month and because, man, Flogging Molly is totally awesome. There are four distinct track packs coming next month, featuring OK Go, Blink-182, the aforementioned Molly Floggers and an '80s track pack -- because nothing says March like a dusty old denim jacket with the sleeves cut off and some Night Ranger.
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero: February DLC
Things took a step towards the alternative in last month's Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero DLC offerings, but it seems February will see the games' downloadable music get back on the path of straight-up rock. We'll be seeing new (old) jams from 30 Seconds to Mars, Breaking Benjamin, Third-Eye Blind and Black Sabbath. We personally can't wait to see Taylor Swift cover Ozzy's part on "Sweet Leaf." All track packs will be available for $5.49 on PS3, 550 Wii Points or 440 on Xbox 360. In addition, all songs will be available seperately for $1.99, 200 Wii Points or 160. Head past the break for the complete list of February's downloadable songs.
Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero: January DLC
If you've been jonesing to play along to a song performed by a fictional, cartoon heavy metal band, then look no further: Activision has announced a downloadable Dethklok song coming this month to the Guitar Hero line, as part of a metal track pack. On the opposite extreme, January will see a Vampire Weekend collection released for Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero to coincide with the band's new album, as well as a three-track Creedence Clearwater Revival set and a collection of songs from "up-and-coming blues masters." (We assume that these so-called masters are real people and not cartoon characters.) All tracks packs will be available for $5.49 on PS3, 550 Wii Points, or 440 on Xbox 360. In addition, all songs will be available a la carte for $1.99, 200 Wii Points, or 160. Head past the break for the complete January DLC lineup.
Band Hero clothing and accessories head to Xbox Live Marketplace
We might normally scoff at the array of Xbox Live Avatar clothing being made available for Band Hero – a near ubiquitous occurrence with game releases for the Xbox 360 these days. Not today though, friends. Nope, today we have the opportunity to get our Avatar a totally rad, Say Anything style boombox. We know, we know – finally. For the low, low price of 240 ($3), you too can be as cool as Lloyd Dobler (though there's no promise of landing a lady as fine as Diane Court with said item). We suppose you could pick up the other stuff too, available for 80 ($1) to 240 ($3), if you're into that kinda thing. You could get a microphone or a shirt or a ... just get the boombox, alright? You don't wanna end up being given a pen and getting told how "valuable the friendship" is, do you? Hmm?
No Doubt suing Activision for Band Hero 'circus act' appearance
The multi-platinum rock band No Doubt has filed a lawsuit against Activision in a L.A. County Superior Court claiming its likeness was "transformed" into a "virtual karaoke circus act" in over sixty songs in the recently released music title, Band Hero. According to TMZ, No Doubt claims gamers were only supposed to be able to use their likeness with three of its own tracks; however, the band is available as playable characters through the game's entire music catalog. Of particular note is lead singer Gwen Stefani's displeasure that her likeness can be used to sing "Honky Tonk Woman" by the Rolling Stones -- a song which references sex with prostitutes -- using a male voice and mannerisms. For its "circus act" inclusion, No Doubt is seeking an injunction to halt the "unauthorized use" of the band's name and likeness, as well as an unknown amount of damages (aka mad monies). Seems like Activision can't keep rock stars happy, dead or alive. [Via TeamXbox]
Nintendo World Store holding Band Hero launch event tomorrow
No, that isn't your high school gym teacher (pictured right), that's Weezer front man Rivers Cuomo and he's joining with Nintendo to help launch the upcoming Pop-centric music title, Band Hero. Tomorrow, November 1, beginning at 11AM (EDT) at the Nintendo World Store in Rockefeller Plaza, players will have a chance to play both the Nintendo Wii and DS versions of the game before lining up for an exclusive autograph session with the singer from 3PM to 4PM. Need more incentive to join the party? The first fifty players in line will walk away with a pre-release copy of the game to call their own and other random giveaways. Finally, you yourself can interrupt your sister's Taylor Swift karaoke sessions in homage to Kanye West's VMA performance. We call that, "emergent gameplay." [Image Credit]
Full Band Hero track list, importable songs revealed
If you've been savoring the slow trickle of track list announcements for Activision's tween-oriented rhythm title, Band Hero, your prolonged pleasure is about to come to a satisfying, yet abrupt end. The publisher has revealed all of the songs that will be available on the generically monikered game, and we've posted them -- along with details about compatible DLC and song importing from other Guitar Hero games -- after the jump in the least confusing manner we could possibly conjure. To help in this endeavor, we've even added a table of contents! Man, we're seriously too nice for our own good.
DS/Wii connectivity in Band Hero detailed
If you're the proud papa (or momma) of your very own Wii and DS, then know that Activision's upcoming Band Hero will have some connectivity between the two devices. IGN got a demo of the new Wii game and informs us of some pretty nifty features, namely the DS Party Play option. Building on the social aspect of the rhythm game experience, DS Party Play allows one to use an empty DS to set up and edit custom playlists while folks rock out on the TV and can even produce some trivia for those wanting to exercise their brains along with their voices, fingers and -- whatever it is you tap to play drums in these games. Gamers will even be able to adjust the difficulty of songs on the fly, with each notification popping up on the TV so that everyone knows it was you who picked that Evanescence song. What? They need to know so they can congratulate you for choosing such a great song. We're not being sarcastic at all!
David Bowie, Styx, Yellowcard & others join Band Hero
We'd like to congratulate Devo, David Bowie and Marvin Gaye for reaching one of the highest highs in the music industry. That would be appearing in a game with no fewer than three Taylor Swift songs: Band Hero. The artists' featured hits are part of the latest batch of announced tracks -- all of which you can find after the break -- for the tweenybopper spin-off. Also, do we have any volunteers to dive into the belly of Band Hero and rescue the totally awesome "In a Big Country" Saving Private Ryan–style? It ... it doesn't deserve this.
Band Hero's revamped drums coming in November bundle, very limited exclusive for Wii
Guitar Hero drummers who wondered whatever happened to that revamped set we spied months ago can finally sleep more soundly at night, although while still probably tapping out "Sweating Bullets" in their dreams. The cats at IGN got some hands-on time with the new gear, and while there's no physical pics to show for it, they do report being happy with the overall design and its smaller, but still capable frame. The peripheral is reportedly due in a Band Hero Super Bundle for Nintendo Wii this November. It's a limited exclusive for the console, meaning the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 packages will include the standard Guitar Hero drums until "sometime later this year." That leaves at most seven weeks of lead time -- not too long, but in the precious time before Christmas, it's probably quite the coup.
Be that guy from Maroon 5 in Band Hero
Have you ever dreamed of being Adam Levine, singer for Maroon 5? Specifically, have you ever dreamed that you'd look similar to him, but have your own voice? Like you're wearing an Adam Levine suit to karaoke night, maybe. Then you're going to love Band Hero. Activision announced today that the singer has joined Taylor Swift as a playable character in the Guitar Hero sequel. Players will be able to guide Pseudo-Levine through Maroon 5's ubiquitous hit song "She Will Be Loved."
Taylor Swift joins Band Hero, your daughter's head explodes
First, if you used to have a teen daughter before the head explosion thing, we're sorry about your loss. If you didn't, you may need a little additional explanation. Songstress Taylor Swift is sort of like Hannah Montana with a slight country twang (or more accurately, Hannah Montana if she didn't pretend not to have a slight country twang), and she's just joined Band Hero. No, you may not care, but if you've got a daughter of any age, we've got big news: You're going to be buying Band Hero. Or at least you would have, had her head not just exploded.
Band Hero's Nintendo DS Lite peripherals get pictured
Holding out for the family-friendly Band Hero on your Nintendo DS Lite? That wait just got a lot tougher. In a move obviously made to tease those already leaning towards purchasing the title when it hits shelves later this year, Activision has pushed out a smattering of renders that show a drum kit covering (ahem, Drum Grip™), guitar fretboard and even a pick to strum the touchscreen. Not much to go on, sure, but it's definitely good for keeping our attention while the dog days of summer drag on. The full, brief announcement is after the break.[Via Joystiq]
Band Hero trailer released, unsexy people not allowed to play
For a while now, we've been asking ourselves "How different can Band Hero really be from Guitar Hero?" With today's release of the first trailer for the game, we have more answers than simply "Uh, the word 'guitar' has been replaced by 'band'." Specifically, the video lets us know that the game will feature a decidedly pop rock packed song lineup, to, y'know, make it more appealing to the mainstream ('cause Guitar Hero's soundtrack is so elitist). It's also clear that, in addition to guitar, bass, drum and microphone peripherals, you'll be required to suit up at GAP before playing. Oh, and be a model. Will the specialized peripherals never end? MSN Music's article on the game also mentions that the game disc will house 65 tracks (a partial list can be found after the break) and that DLC for Guitar Hero World Tour will be compatible with the game. Due for release this November on all consoles and DS, the game will also make use of the drop-in, drop-out gameplay feature found in Guitar Hero 5. Just remember: This totally isn't Guitar Hero. The name says so. [Via Giant Bomb]
DJ Hero announced at last, along with Band Hero for the family and Guitar Hero 5 for the face melters
Activision just confirmed a whole lot of heroes: the long-teased DJ Hero being the most notable among them. Many trivial humans had conjectured what a "Hero"-style DJ controller would look like, and at last we have our first look (above, and there's another shot after the break). Sure, we have no idea how we're supposed to play it -- where's the whammy bar, for instance? -- but we're sure once we tape a couple of our mom's Perry Como records to the sides we'll start to get the picture. Music genres include "hip-hop, R&B, Motown, electronica and dance," and the game will allow turntablists to create "original mixes" of songs. Additionally, Activision is also prepping a family-friendly Band Hero game, and a Guitar Hero 5 followup to its flagship title, with all three new Hero games hitting sometime this fall.
