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Rock Band's country DLC on sale through June 21
Having Skeeter and the fellers over this weekend and sick of doing the same old, same old? Well, Harmonix is slashing prices on all of its country-themed Rock Band DLC through June 21 -- tracks including artists such as Kenny Chesney, Johnny Cash, Brooks & Dunn and even Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler." Hit the jump for the full list.
Rock Band Weekly: Maroon 5, Puddle of Mudd
This Rock Band DLC has taken its toll on me, I've said goodbye to my money too many times before. And my wallet is breaking in front of me, I've said goodbye to my money too many times before.
Rock Band Weekly: A-ha, Chumbawamba, Avenged Sevenfold, Live
After a week of E3, there's nothing in the world we'd like to jam out to more than Chumbawamba's "Tubthumping." Good thing it's coming to Rock Band's music store next week, along with A-Ha's "Take on Me" and tracks from Live and Avenged Sevenfold.
Rock Band Weekly: Bruno Mars, Rise Against
Next week's Rock Band DLC includes packs from Bruno Mars and Rise Against (totally not The Machine). There are also pro guitar upgrades for Mötley Crüe's "Kickstart My Heart" and Pearl Jam's "Even Flow" legacy titles.
Rock Band Weekly: Ozzy Osbourne 8-Pack
Next week's Rock Band DLC celebrates the 30th anniversary and re-release of Ozzy Osbourne's Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman with eight songs. Take note that "Bark at the Moon" and "Mama, I'm Coming Home" aren't sold individually.
Rock Band Weekly: Lady Gaga, Foreigner
Gaga is back with a second pack of Rock Band DLC. She also brings some Foreigner with her and legacy track pro guitar upgrades for Alice in Chains' "Rooster," and The White Stripes' "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground."
Rock Band Weekly: Pantera, Peter Frampton
Four tracks from Pantera's A Decade of Dominance best-of album are part of next week's Rock Band DLC. A live version of Peter Frampton's "Do You Feel Like We Do" will also be included in the update.
Rock Band Weekly: Foo Fighters, Run-DMC, Lordi
The Foo Fighters return next week to the Rock Band Music Store with their fourth pack of Rock Band DLC, alongside a couple of Pro Guitar upgrades for the band's legacy tracks. See the complete update details after the break.
Harmonix on the state of post-MTV Rock Band DLC
In a new interview with Game Informer, Chris Rigopulos, VP of strategy and business development at Harmonix, addresses the state of downloadable content for Rock Band now that the studio is no longer under MTV. Rigopulos said that Harmonix has "effectively severed all ties with MTV, and all proceeds from Rock Band belong to Harmonix." He explained that music selection for the Rock Band series had been a "collaborative effort between Harmonix and MTV," noting that most of the downloadable tracks we've seen this year were selected before Harmonix was sold by Viacom (last year). This month's downloadable tracks, said Rigopulos, will be the "first glimpse" at the music the company has secured without MTV. Rigopulos doesn't expect any "dramatic changes" to the music selection process, though he cheekily added, "I doubt you will see any more SpongeBob SquarePants packs." Rigopulous also discussed the overall success of Rock Band's DLC enterprise, noting that the series recently surpassed 100 million song downloads.
Ozzy, Lady Gaga, Foo Fighters, Frampton headed to Rock Band in May
In an interview with Game Informer, Harmonix's Chris Rigopulos revealed the slate of downloadable content in store for Rock Band this month. Tracks from the Foo Fighters new album Wasting Light will be released next Tuesday, May 10, alongside some new Pro Guitar and Bass upgrades to older Rock Band tracks. Later this month, add-on songs will coincide with Lady Gaga's new album, Born This Way, as well as with the re-release of two "legendary" Ozzy Osbourne albums, Diary of a Madman and Blizzard of Ozz. Rigopulos also disclosed that Peter Frampton's classic "Do You Feel Like We Do," from the live album Frampton Comes Alive (pictured), will also be released this month. In other words, it will totally sound like your plastic guitar is talking.
Rock Band Weekly: Culture Club, Loverboy, STP, Phish and Faith No More
Next week's Rock Band update will have everybody "working for the weekend," which will surely have folks asking: "Do you really want to hurt me, do you really want to make me cry?" Check out the full DLC details past the break.
Harmonix says it had to 'carry' MTV's publishing operation
In a recent interview with Industry Gamers, Harmonix VP of Product Development Greg LoPiccolo remarked on the studio's time under the MTV Games banner. Though he explained he harbors no ill will towards the team's former publisher, he said MTV didn't have "a big enough publishing organization to achieve economies of scale." He added, "They had us, but essentially our games had to carry the entire publishing infrastructure of MTV games which was not particularly efficient." LoPiccolo said he's grateful for the partnership, explaining, "When they bought us we were a little developer and in collaboration with them we achieved a lot." Despite MTV's help in turning them into the studio they are today, LoPiccolo explained he wasn't worried about the two parties' split. "I think one of the things we've demonstrated to the world at large and to ourselves is that we have a demonstrated ability to make good stuff," he added. "And I think we had a confidence that somebody would see that and have that perspective."
Rock Band Weekly: Roy Orbison, KISS
To celebrate what would have been the legendary Roy Orbison's 75th birthday, next week's Rock Band DLC includes three songs from the artist. Don't fret, dream baby, if those tracks don't do it for you, there are already plenty of solid Orbison tracks available in the Rock Band store. There are also a couple individual tracks from KISS. Both songs are live versions of their greatest hits "Rock and Roll All Nite" and "Strutter." Chewable blood packs and pyrotechnics sold separately. Head past the break for the full DLC details.
Rock Band Weekly: Tommy Tutone, Relient K and more
You may be asking: "Joystiq, why are you showing me Jenny's phone number on a modern phone? Shouldn't you have a video of it being dialed on a rotary phone?" First off, congratulations for recognizing Jenny's number. We do like to think that we have some of the most culturally immersed readers on the internets. The reason for the modern spin is that the version of Tommy Tutone's famous 1981 hit, "867-5309/Jenny," in next week's Rock Band DLC is actually the re-recorded 2010 version off Tommy's album, Tutone-Ality. It seemed fair to point out. Check out the rest of next week's available tracks after the break.
Rock Band Weekly: Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks
You'll be singing just like the white-winged dove next week. That is, you will if you pick up the new Rock Band 3 DLC, a six-pack of songs including four Fleetwood Mac tracks and two from Stevie Nicks' solo catalog. We suggest practicing your vibrato before the DLC arrives on April 12 -- or, at least, finding an electric fan to sing into. Full details of the track pack are posted after the break.
Rock Band 3 price drops to $20
Harmonix has announced that the price of Rock Band 3 (game only) has dropped down to $20 on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii -- great for starving, wannabe musicians looking to jam to The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations." Or, you know, any of the other 82 songs available on the disc. You can find the game for the reduced price right now on Amazon, Best Buy and GameStop -- or you can head into your local brick-and-mortar if you're looking for that immediate rock fix.
Rock Band Weekly: Grand Funk Railroad, J. Geils Band, Joy Division
... and Harmonix swears it's not a joke! Next week's Rock Band DLC features individual songs from opposing sides of the mood spectrum -- an apparent nod to the dev's classic rhythm hell shooter Bipolar Attitude. Joy Division, meet J. Geils Band. J. Geils Band, Joy Division. FIGHT!
The Who-autographed Rock Band guitar controllers auctioned for Teenage Cancer Trust
Prolific peripheral manufacturer Mad Catz has again teamed with The Who frontman Roger Daltrey to support the Teenage Cancer Trust -- and this time they've gotten Pete Townshend to leave his mark on this unique charity event. Both legendary rock gods have signed a pair of Mad Catz's Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster controllers (no strings attached) for Xbox 360 versions of Rock Band. These cherry red rarities are up for auction on eBay -- one here and the other here -- until 9PM ET on Sunday, April 3. All proceeds will go to the UK-based Teenage Cancer Trust. Okay, now can we get a YEEEEEEAAAHHH?!
Rock Band Weekly: DragonForce, 'Days of Peace' pack
We do love contrast. Next week's Rock Band 3 update will include a downloadable "Days of Peace" pack, featuring patchouli-scented tracks from Blood, Sweat & Tears, Jefferson Airplane and Santana. Next week's update will also bring a version of the infamous Guitar Hero face-melter "Through the Fire and Flames" to RB3. More importantly, and insanely, you'll be able to purchase a Pro Guitar upgrade for that track. That should take care of any lingering notion you had that you could actually play the guitar.
Rock Band Weekly: Billy Joel six-pack
The Billy Joel "critic spite machine" rolls on, as next week's Rock Band DLC adds another six of the piano man's legendary songs. Hang out with your bosom buddies and sing "My Life, " or pour a bottle of red, a bottle of white and experience "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant." For those in a more melancholy mood, there's "She's Always a Woman."
