Archives by Day

Rock Band 2

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

About Rainier

PC gamer, WorthPlaying EIC, globe-trotting couch potato, patriot, '80s headbanger, movie watcher, music lover, foodie and man in black -- squirrel!

Advertising

As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.





'Rock Band' (ALL) Teams With MTV and VH1 to Celebrate Pearl Jam's Ten Reissue

by Rainier on March 18, 2009 @ 10:38 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.

In honor of the re-release of Pearl Jam’s debut album Ten on Epic/Legacy Recordings, in retail stores nationwide day-in-date with its launch in the Rock Band® Music Store, MTV, MTV2, VH1, and VH1 Classic and Rock Band are teaming up to roll out a two-week long lineup of content that celebrates the band, its successes and the band’s debut in the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content. Exclusive features include the VH1 Classic premiere of “Pearl Jam Ten Revisited,” including the never before seen version of the music video “Jeremy,” and covers of Pearl Jam classics by current artists on MTV2.

Premiering on Saturday, March 21st at 2:30pm ET/PT on VH1 Classic, “Pearl Jam Ten Revisited” takes you on a half-hour look back at Pearl Jam’s seminal debut album, Ten that brought alternative rock to the mainstream by showcasing videos for “Even Flow,” “Alive,” “Porch” (from the band’s Unplugged performance), and the television premiere of the uncensored version of “Jeremy.” With the help of archival footage and interviews from the band the viewer will be taken back to the early 90’s to reflect on the album’s importance to alternative music. VH1 will air the special “Pearl Jam Ten Revisited” on March 25th at 11:00am ET/PT.

Pearl Jam fans also won’t want to miss MTV2’s “Rock the Deuce” beginning on Monday, March 16th through Thursday, March 19th at 8pm ET/PT and on Saturday, March 21st at 1am ET/PT when the network airs cover performances of Pearl Jam classics by artists including:

  • Aaron Lewis of Staind – “Black”
  • William Beckett of The Academy Is… – “Jeremy”
  • Hoobastank – “Evenflow,” “Alive” and “Oceans”
  • P.O.S. – “Why Go”

In addition, MTV, VH1 and VH1 Classic will celebrate Pearl Jam through the end of the month by airing blocks of other Pearl Jam music videos and feature videos and editorial on MTV.com, MTV2.com and VH1.com, as well as VH1 Classic. VH1.com and VH1Classic.com will also be celebrating the re-release of Ten by streaming the full album the week of release.

As previously announced, Ten, the debut album that sold 12 million copies and introduced the world to Pearl Jam (http://www.pearljam.com) in 1991, will also be offered for download in the Rock Band Music Store day-and-date with the re-issue of the album in stores on March 24, 2009. Ten, on Epic/Legacy Recordings, will be reissued in four new and expanded editions and will serve as the launch of a planned two-year catalogue re-release campaign leading up to the band’s 20th anniversary in 2011. Fans can preorder the re-issue of Ten now at www.PearlJam.com.

In addition, Rock Band partner Microsoft will be hosting Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron for a Game with Fame session on Friday, March 27th at 7pm ET. Fans with an Xbox LIVE® Gold membership can play Rock Band 2 with Matt Cameron by sending a friend request to Gamertag “Pearl Jam GWF” and be online half an hour before at 6:30pm ET.

Pearl Jam released Ten on August 27, 1991. The album reached #2 on the Billboard 200 chart, sold over 12 million copies and became one of the cultural touchstones of the 1990s. Songs such as “Alive,” “Black,” “Even Flow” and “Jeremy” became staples of rock radio, and still make frequent appearances on the band’s ever-changing concert set lists.

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.

More articles about Rock Band 2
blog comments powered by Disqus