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Rock Band 2

Platform(s): PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
Genre: Rhythm
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Harmonix

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'Rock Band 2' (ALL) to Get Social Distortion, Steely Dan, Distbured, Costello

by Rainier on May 8, 2009 @ 7:29 a.m. PDT

Rock Band 2 builds upon the original to introduce co-op band gameplay, multiple instruments, online multiplayer, unparalleled downloadable content and raises the bar by delivering an entirely new level of depth, connectivity, authenticity and features.

The Rock Band 2 soundtrack will feature over 100 songs with over 80 songs on disc plus an additional 20 bonus tracks which will be made available for free download this fall. This builds upon the unparalleled depth and diversity of Rock Band's original set list and its ever-expanding library of downloadable tracks. Comprised entirely of master recordings from some of rock's most prolific and untouchable artists, including AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Bob Dylan, Metallica, Pearl Jam and more, Rock Band 2 will deliver the most impressive and largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame ever.

Social Distortion is recognized as one of the biggest names in American punk rock with six full-length studio albums to date and considerable commercial success. The “Social Distortion Pack 01&r dquo; will feature “Ring of Fire” and “Story of My Life,” both from the band’s 1990 self-titled third album, and “Bad Luck” from the band’s fourth album Between Heaven and Hell (1992).Social Distortion made its Rock Band debut with “I Was Wrong” featured on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack.

The jazz-infused rock sound of Steely Dan makes its first Rock Band Music Store appearance with “Black Friday” from 1975’s Katy Lied and “My Old School” from 1973’s Countdown to Ecstasy. Steely Dan’s notoriously difficult “Bodhisattva” is featured on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack.

Next week’s content update will also give fans access to two tracks from Chicago-based metal outfit Disturbed including “Stricken” from Ten Thousand Fists (2005) and “Stupify” from The Sickness (2000). The band is no stranger to the Rock Band music library with three tracks released to the music store in June 2008 and the band’s single “Down with the Sickness” featured on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack.

Elvis Costello, who made his debut on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack with “Pump It Up,” adds the hit “Radio Radio” to the Rock Band catalogue next week. The track was originally featured onThis Year’s Model (1978). The Replacements round out this week’s update with their track “Kids Don’t Follow” from 1982’s Stink. The Replacements made its Rock Band debut with “Alex Chilton” on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack.

Tracks:

  • Social Distortion “Bad Luck”
  • Social Distortion “Ring of Fire”
  • Social Distortion “Story of My Life”
  • Steely Dan “Black Friday”
  • Steely Dan “My Old School”
  • Disturbed “Stricken”
  • Disturbed “Stupify”
  • Elvis Costello “Radio Radio”
  • The Replacements “Kids Don’t Follow”

(All tracks are original master recordings)

The Social Distortion tracks will be available for purchase as part of the “Social Distortion Pack 01” or as individual tracks for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system. These tracks will be available for purchase as individual tracks only for Wii.

Release Date:

  • Tuesday, May 12, 2009 (Xbox Live Marketplace and in-game Rock Band 2 Music Store for Wii)
  • Thursday, May 14, 2009 (PlayStation Store)

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **

Price:

  • $1.99 or 160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360 per track
  • $2.99 or 200 Wii Points for Wii track
  • $5.99 (440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for "Social Distortion Pack 01"

Rock Band 2 On-Disc Track List:

  1. AC/DC "Let There Be Rock" 1970s
  2. AFI "Girl's Gone Grey" 2000s
  3. Alanis Morissette "You Oughta Know" 1990s
  4. Alice in Chains "Man in the Box" 1990s
  5. Allman Brothers "Ramblin' Man" 1970s
  6. Avenged Sevenfold "Almost Easy" 2000s
  7. Bad Company "Shooting Star" 1970s
  8. Beastie Boys "So Whatcha Want" 1990s
  9. Beck "E-Pro" 2000s
  10. Bikini Kill "Rebel Girl" 1990s
  11. Billy Idol "White Wedding Pt. I" 1980s
  12. Blondie "One Way or Another" 1970s
  13. Bob Dylan "Tangled Up in Blue" 1970s
  14. Bon Jovi "Livin' on a Prayer" 1980s
  15. Cheap Trick "Hello There" 1970s
  16. Devo "Uncontrollable Urge" 1980s
  17. Dinosaur Jr. "Feel the Pain" 1990s
  18. Disturbed "Down with the Sickness" 2000s
  19. Dream Theater "Panic Attack" 2000s
  20. Duran Duran "Hungry Like the Wolf" 1980s
  21. Elvis Costello "Pump It Up" 1970s
  22. Fleetwood Mac "Go Your Own Way" 1970s
  23. Foo Fighters "Everlong" 1990s
  24. Guns N' Roses "Shackler's Revenge" 2000s
  25. Interpol "PDA" 2000s
  26. Jane's Addiction "Mountain Song" 1980s
  27. Jethro Tull "Aqualung" 1970s
  28. Jimmy Eat World "The Middle" 2000s
  29. Joan Jett "Bad Reputation" 1980s
  30. Journey "Anyway You Want It" 1970s
  31. Judas Priest "Painkiller" 1990s
  32. Kansas "Carry On Wayward Son" 1970s
  33. L7 "Pretend We're Dead" 1990s
  34. Lacuna Coil "Our Truth" 2000s
  35. Linkin Park "One Step Closer" 2000s
  36. Lit "My Own Worst Enemy" 1990s
  37. Lush "De-Luxe" 1990s
  38. Mastodon "Colony of Birchmen" 2000s
  39. Megadeth "Peace Sells" 1980s
  40. Metallica "Battery" 1980s
  41. Mighty Mighty Bosstones "Where'd You Go" 1990s
  42. Modest Mouse "Float On" 2000s
  43. Motorhead "Ace of Spades" 1980s
  44. Nirvana "Drain You" 1990s
  45. Norman Greenbaum "Spirit in the Sky" 1960s
  46. Panic at the Disco "Nine in the Afternoon" 2000s
  47. Paramore "That's What You Get" 2000s
  48. Pearl Jam "Alive" 1990s
  49. Presidents of the USA "Lump" 1990s
  50. Rage Against the Machine "Testify" 1990s
  51. Ratt "Round & Round" 1980s
  52. Red Hot Chili Peppers "Give it Away" 1990s
  53. Rise Against "Give it All" 2000s
  54. Rush "The Trees" 1970s
  55. Silversun Pickups "Lazy Eye" 2000s
  56. Smashing Pumpkins "Today" 1990s
  57. Social Distortion "I Was Wrong" 1990s
  58. Sonic Youth "Teenage Riot" 1980s
  59. Soundgarden "Spoonman" 1990s
  60. Squeeze "Cool for Cats" 1970s
  61. Steely Dan "Bodhitsattva" 1970s
  62. Steve Miller Band "Rock'n Me" 1970s
  63. Survivor "Eye of the Tiger" 1980s
  64. System of a Down "Chop Suey" 2000s
  65. Talking Heads "Psycho Killer" 1970s
  66. Tenacious D "Master Exploder" 2000s
  67. Testament "Souls of Black" 1990s
  68. The Donnas "New Kid in School" 2000s
  69. The Go-Go's "We Got the Beat" 1980s
  70. The Grateful Dead "Alabama Getaway" 1980s
  71. The Guess Who "American Woman" 1970s
  72. The Muffs "Kids in America" 1990s
  73. The Offspring "Come Out & Play (Keep 'em Separated)" 1990s
  74. The Replacements "Alex Chilton" 1980s
  75. The Who "Pinball Wizard" 1960s

Bonus Material

  1. Abnormality "Visions" 2000s
  2. Anarchy Club "Get Clean" 2000s
  3. Bang Camaro "Night Lies" 2000s
  4. Breaking Wheel "Shoulder to the Plow" 2000s
  5. The Libyans "Neighborhood" 2000s
  6. The Main Drag "A Jagged Gorgeous Winter" 2000s
  7. Speck "Conventional Lover" 2000s
  8. The Sterns "Supreme Girl" 2000s
  9. That Handsome Devil "Rob the Prez-O-Dent" 2000s

** The Rock Band 2 on-disc track list is comprised entirely of master recordings.

Rock Band 2 raises the bar in music gaming innovation with new features to rock the world:

  • Local and global online modes to connect the entire Rock Band community
  • World Tour mode, now online, simplifies the best of gameplay from the original Rock Band by fusing Solo Tour and Band World Tour modes and cranks it up a notch with an all new collection of opportunity gigs, challenges, cities, venues and hirable staff
  • Tour Challenges that offer rockers a chance to play through mini-campaigns focused on the best songs by instrument, decade, genre, artist, album and more
  • Battle of the Bands mode challenges players to go head to head against other bands in constantly refreshed contests* created by Harmonix (*internet connection required)
  • Quickplay makes it easier than ever to get in and jam without hassle while allowing for new prefab characters or customized characters that can play on any instrument plus lets you make your own set lists and organize your song lists in a variety of categories (genre, era, etc.)
  • Customizable Set Lists keep the music rolling and your band rocking in Quickplay mode
  • Drum Trainer mode gives players the fundamentals of different beats and fills, translating gameplay into real drumming skills
  • Character Creator completes your look with all new choices in clothing, accessories, tattoos, hairstyles, instruments and more to keep your unique rock avatar playing the full rock part
  • Backwards compatibility with all Rock Band downloadable music content released to date
  • Disc Export Feature gives owners of the original Rock Band the ability to export most of the Rock Band disc tracks and upgrade them into Rock Band 2 gameplay-the first time ever in videogame history!

From the solid officially licensed Rock Band 2 instruments to the expanded third party options, Rock Band 2 introduces new and improved choices that promise to deliver unsurpassed realism. In addition, Harmonix and MTV Games have become the first companies to officially support third party instruments and accessories in a music videogame.

Achieve ultimate stardom with the upgraded functionality and smooth new look of the official Rock Band 2 instruments.

  • Fender Stratocaster Controller takes on a new authentic look plus adds a reinforced strum bar, quieter buttons, wireless functionality and a built in calibration tool that automatically sets your AV setup to an ideal setting for maximum rock.
  • Drum set goes wireless while also featuring quieter, velocity sensitive drum pads and a metal reinforced pedal.
  • Microphone showcases authentic styling and weight.

Kick up the intensity with officially licensed third-party instruments from Mad Catz:

  • Fender Telecaster Controller features soft buttons with lower action to help you shred faster than ever.
  • Fender Bass Controller, the first bass guitar controller ever, takes the shape of the Fender P-Bass with extended length, tuning pegs and a split strum bar to replicate finger-bass style picking.
  • Full-sized Squire Stratocaster Guitar Controller multiplies the authentic guitar experience by featuring a controller built into an actual Squire Stratocaster body.
  • Cymbal Expansion Pack is a straightforward but amazing upgrade to the Rock Band 2 drum set featuring add-on cymbals.

Take Rock Band 2 instrument authenticity to a whole new level with a high-end peripheral from ION:

  • ION Drum Rocker, a real electronic drum kit that functions as a game controller, brings the Rock Band fantasy to life featuring a simple substitution that takes the drum kit from a controller to a real instrument.

Rock Band 2 is currently available on Xbox 360, PS3, PS2 and Wii.


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