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Dhani Harrison: Rock Band 3 will make you better at actual rocking
In a recent interview with the Chicago Tribune, Dhani Harrison, The Beatles: Rock Band contributor (and son of the late, great George Harrison), spoke about his involvement in future iterations of the popular rhythm franchise. "I'm working on Rock Band 3 and making the controllers more real so people can actually learn how to play music while playing the game," Harrison explained toward the end of the interview. "Give me a couple years, it's going to happen." We wish Harrison and the entire Harmonix crew the best of luck in this endeavor, if only so they can finally stymie the infinitely deplorable "why don't you learn how to play a real instrument" contingency. Man, we hate those guys.
Rock Band Weekly: The White Stripes, The Damned, Kasabian
. Forget that Jack White finds it "depressing" that kids are learning about music through rhythm games -- there's gold in them thar virtual hills! Next week's Rock Band DLC adds a pack of songs from The White Stripes, with tracks off of three different albums. We've also added this little guy to Rock Band Weekly: . He indicates tracks that are considered "family-friendly" enough for Lego Rock Band. Such marked songs will be available in LRB's music store, as well as appearing in the regular Rock Band music store. [Thanks to our friend Dustin Burg for the Lego head!] Check out the update after the break, along with what Rock Band Unplugged players can expect for DLC next week. Select a platform below to view complete DLC listing:
Rock Band Weekly: Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Joan Jett
Next week's Rock Band DLC could have been a little Dave Grohl fiesta, offering up tracks from his days back in Nirvana and now with Foo Fighters, but it turns out that he wasn't with the genre defining grunge band until after Bleach, which happens to be part of next week's DLC. But, we're pretty sure Grohl was with Foo Fighters during the time they recorded the tracks that make up the band's third DLC pack for the music game. Completely unrelated to Grohl (maybe there's a six degrees of separation in there?), there will also be one track from Ms. Joan Jett thrown in the mix. Check out the update after the break, along with what portable players can expect from Rock Band Unplugged's DLC. Select a platform below to view complete DLC listing:
Rock Band Weekly: Rob Zombie, Wolfmother and ... 'Daisy of Love'
Harmonix and MTV are billing next week's Rock Band DLC update as a spooky, Halloween-themed selection, mostly due to the inclusion of some Rob Zombie classics and a new Wolfmother set (zombies and wolves are scary, right?). Right? But the really scary part, for us, is the addition of two tracks from Morningwood -- now you'll be able to play the Daisy of Love theme song. Creeeeeepy.Also, we have to raise a very important issue: How can you have a Halloween music store update with no "Monster Mash?" How is "Monster Mash" not in the Rock Band Store right now? And whatever happened to my Transylvania Twist? Select a platform below to view complete DLC listing:
Rock Band Weekly: A killer Queen pack
We've known for quite some time that Queen DLC was to grace Rock Band Weekly. Yes, we've dubbed it the "All The Good Ones Except for Bohemian Rhapsody" Track Pack, but that doesn't make the offering any less exciting. Next week's update will have living-room bands cringe as their respective vocalists attempt with all their might to sing like Freddie Mercury. Then again, if the kids of Glee can sing "Somebody to Love" together, then maybe everyone in the band should pitch in.Check out the full Rock Band Weekly update, along with the update for Rock Band Unplugged, after the break. Select a platform below to view complete DLC listing:
Brian May thinks Queen: Rock Band 'may happen'
In a recent interview with the BBC, Queen guitarist Brian May commented on his inclusion in Lego Rock Band, calling his brickification "the ultimate accolade." Shortly thereafter, the conversation got a bit more fascinating. May mentioned that there had been discussion "going on behind the scenes" about the possibility of a Queen: Rock Band akin to the Beatles-dedicated title, which dropped last month. He later added, "yes, we're into it, I think it may happen." Queen's a great band. A really, really, really great band. However, Beatles: Rock Band was successful because of the immense cultural significance of the band upon which the game was based. We're not sure that Queen possesses enough historical relevance to work quite as well. Also, 10 of their best songs are hitting the Rock Band Music Store at the end of the month, meaning a dedicated title would probably dip into their weirder catalog. What say you, readers? Are you psyched about the prospect of rocking out to "The Invisible Man?" [Via CVG]
Rock Band Weekly: Brutal Legend pack, Black Tide, Blink-182, Satriani, Kansas, L7
Corporate synergy is well at work when the Brütal Legend pack rolls its way into next week's Rock Band DLC update. The track grouping includes Mötorhead, Tenacious D and Testament. To wash all that metal down, there are also individual songs from Kansas and Blink 182. For those upset by all of this: you can pull a "Jeremy" in front of the class*, which joins Unplugged next week. *Yeah, don't do that.Check out the full Rock Band Weekly update, along with the update for Rock Band Unplugged, after the break. Select a platform below to view complete DLC listing:
Ten Queen tracks coming to Rock Band later this month
Say it with us, friends, in a high-pitched, sing-song voice: Queen is coming to Rock Band! A rumor we heard in late August claiming Harmonix is planning to bring a slew of Freddie Mercury-voiced tunes to its rhythm platform is true. In the last week of October, the Music Store will be visited by the following tracks: Another One Bites The Dust Crazy Little Thing Called Love One Vision Fat Bottomed Girls I Want It All I Want to Break Free Killer Queen Somebody to Love Tie Your Mother Down Under Pressure We wonder if they'll be available as a collection called "All The Good Ones Except for Bohemian Rhapsody."
Rock Band Weekly: Raconteurs, Alanis Morissette, Electric Six, The Flobots
Next week's Rock Band Weekly wants to take you to a gay bar. A gay bar, gay bar! Yes, Electric Six's "Gay Bar," which inspired a rather popular piece of World of Warcraft machinima (found after the break), makes its way onto the update.Also featured: a three-pack of Raconteurs tracks, along with the most ironic song ever: Alanis Morissette's ... "Ironic." Isn't it ironic that the track doesn't actually feature a single example of irony? Perhaps Morissette meant this to be some sort of "meta" irony (although some may disagree). Check out the full Rock Band Weekly update, along with the update for Rock Band Unplugged, after the break. Select a platform below to view complete DLC listing:
Rock Band 2 patched on 360, PS3 update going through cert
Ludomusicians, rejoice! The Xbox 360 version of Rock Band 2 received a massive title update earlier today, adding a whole slew of oft-requested features to Harmonix's beefy music platform. The most notable of these additions is that the game now supports wireless microphones, such as those used with Lips. Other changes include improved hammer-ons and pull-offs, background downloading for music store purchases and the "Audition Mode," which allows Rock Band Network users to test out their homebrewed Rock Band tracks. In a Rock Band forum thread, Harmonix's Sean Baptiste explained the PS3 version of the update is currently working its way through Sony's certification process. We've yet to hear mention of a Wii version of the patch. C'mon, Harmonix! Waggle-rockers need love too! [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Rock Band Weekly: Alice in Chains, Breaking Benjamin, Just Kait, Kula Shaker
Alice in Chains and Breaking Benjamin (pictured doing their best Twilight pose) contribute several new tracks to the Rock Band Music Store next week. We ... sorry, we're just getting lost in those eyes and pale skin. It's mesmerizing. There are also some additions from English psychedelic band, Kula Shaker, and a value-priced track called "U Suck" by Just Kait -- which, knowing how the comments for RBW tend to lean, could very well be how many of you feel about the artist. Check out the full Rock Band Weekly update, along with the update for Rock Band Unplugged, after the break. Select a platform below to view complete DLC listing:
Flight of the Conchords say they're coming to Rock Band
The Emmys is, like, an awards show for television or something -- whatever, doesn't matter. What does matter is that Flight of the Conchords was nominated for an award, so FOTC creators and stars Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie were on hand at the show. During a red carpet interview, Bret confirmed to TV Guide that the group's musical musings are headed to Rock Band (watch the video interview past the break). Previously, the band's label, Sub Pop, announced plans to convert its "entire catalog" into playable tracks.Bret claimed that a total of three songs would be added to the Rock Band Music Store, though neither he nor Jemaine would elaborate on which songs would be released. Hey guys, make it happen: It's Business Time Albi (the racist dragon) Humans are Dead Which FOTC tunes are you praying to play?
Rock Band Weekly: Pearl Jam's 'Backspacer' album
Anyone see Kanye in the house? Phew. Moving on: This week's -- uninterrupted -- Rock Band Weekly announcement is headlined by Pearl Jam's Backspacer album. The new tracks will appear on Xbox 360, Wii and PS3 on September 20, 22 and 24, respectively. Also, a special edition of the Backspacer album at Target stores, which releases September 20, will have a code to download the album onto Xbox 360 and PS3. (Remember, it's only the "special edition" that'll have the code.)Check out the track list, along with the update for Rock Band Unplugged, after the break. Select a platform below to view complete DLC listing:
Rock Band Weekly: Tenacious D, Anvil, Dinosaur Jr., The Guess Who
Rock Band Weekly heads up to Canadia next week for a three pack from heavy metal band Anvil. There are also tracks from Brütal Legend "star" Jack Black's band Tenacious D. It'll actually be pretty quiet week, as the Wii doesn't add its usual mega-list of back catalog tracks and is in sync with the Xbox and PS3 versions. Check it all out after the break. Select a platform below to view complete DLC listing:
Lips mic compatible with The Beatles: Rock Band, RB2 'soon'
Harmonix has confirmed to Joystiq that the Lips (or Microsoft Wireless) Microphone will be compatible with The Beatles: Rock Band at launch, but that a patch for the peripheral to work with Rock Band 2 will be "coming soon." We sought clarification after a post on GameFaqs, allegedly quoting EA warranty support, implied that the patch for Rock Band would occur this week.The Lips mic patch for Rock Band has been in the pipe since last year, with a release window announced a couple months back for this summer, which we now know will occur after (not with) the release of The Beatles: Rock Band this Wednesday.[Via Aeropause]
Rock Band Weekly: Freezepop, PAX artists, Jackson 5 and more
Rock Band Weekly celebrates PAX next week with tracks from artists performing at the big games convention in Seattle this weekend. The PAX trax come from nerdcore bands and artists like Freezepop, Jonathan Coulton, MC Frontalot and Paul & Storm; with each song at a wallet-friendly price of $1. Those looking for mainstream musica can consume tracks from 3 Doors Down and The Jackson 5. Check out all the stuff coming to the various versions of Rock Band next week after the break. Select a platform below to view complete DLC listing:
PSA: Beatles: Rock Band 'Special Value Edition' isn't such a special value
In addition to the fancy Premium Bundle of The Beatles: Rock Band, which features the new Beatles replica instruments, the game is available in a "Special Value Edition" for those unwilling or unable to drop $250 for a single game. The bundle contains the game and some regular Rock Band instruments for $160 -- a price that is cut by $20 on Amazon. MTV confirmed to us that the instruments included with the bundle are those from Rock Band 1. Here's the thing about this bundle: despite the fact that it says "special value" on the box, it's not the best value on a Beatles: Rock Band set you can get. If you want the superior Rock Band 2 instruments, you can get the RB2 bundle right now for $100. Purchase a separate Beatles disc, and you've got two games and one set of (nice) instruments for the same $160. If you don't care which instruments you get, and you're planning to buy on 360 or PS3, you can go even cheaper and grab the $79 Rock Band/Rock Band 2 game pack, which includes the Rock Band 1 instruments and Rock Band 1 and 2. Throw a $60 Beatles in and you have three Rock Band games for the price of one Special Value bundle. Of course, this information is mostly valuable for people planning ahead. The real place of the Special Value Edition is in stores, as a single box that makes an attractive impulse purchase.
Harmonix and EA want Rock Band at your bar
To think, just a few years ago a bar advertising "Rock Band" would have just seemed infuriatingly unspecific. Now, Rock Band nights at taverns, dives and watering holes are becoming commonplace enough that EA and Harmonix are formalizing them just a tad. At Rock Band Bar Nights you can register your event and get permission to use the game's logo and access to all of the songs in the Rock Band DLC catalog along with some other nice perks. While we're on the subject, Joystiq Promotions is still looking for clubs that would like to take part in our Sins of a Solar Empire Bar Nights. Despite what you may have guessed, there are plenty of great spots still available.
Rumor: Rock Band 2 will import LEGO Rock Band tracks
Wired's GameLife cites a "highly-placed source close to Harmonix" as informing the site that Rock Band 2 owners will be able to rip tracks from the LEGO Rock Band game disc, just as they were able to do with songs from the original Rock Band. The source also notes that a "small fee" will probably be involved -- again, just as with Rock Band to Rock Band 2 song importing. ($5, in case you forgot.) Along with this rumored feature, the site has posted a list of upcoming DLC, including 10 tracks from Queen and three from The Raconteurs due in October. Three songs from The White Stripes are listed for November release. Undisclosed material from Attack! Attack! and The Duke Spirit appears as undated Rock Band Network content.When contacted for comment, Harmonix told Joystiq, "While we don't comment on rumors or speculation with regards to our upcoming downloadable content, we can promise that the Rock Band platform is poised to remain the unchallenged best value and source of music for rhythm games."This supposed "leak" is very conveniently timed, given that Guitar Hero 5 releases tomorrow. Doncha' think?
Rock Band Weekly: Talking Heads, The Jam, Oasis, Rage
Why, hello! Next week's Rock Band Weekly brings a heaping serving of Talking Heads. No, no, not television talk show guests and nightly news anchors ... the band, you know? You ... you don't know? This is awkward. Best educate yourself before we have to silently crack some skulls. The Wii will get another massive injection of tracks from the back catalog, including a whole slew of Judas Priest. Hold up, you don't know who Judas Priest is? Seriously, why are you even reading this? Go check out all the track coming to the various forms of Rock Band after the break. Select a platform below to view complete DLC listing:
