ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOCK BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND!

[SackAttack]

Just got home from work to discover a massive package awaiting me. My Rock Band 360 review copy is here.

It actually came in Saturday, but I went to a co-worker's basketball game and figured I'd pick up the mail today.

I'm not getting any sleep tonight.

(Yes, pics will be forthcoming...ish.)

[SirFozzie]

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCKKKKK BAAAAAAAAAAAANNNND!!!

Apparently this sucker weighs about 20 pounds altogether.

I'm picking up my copy tommorrow at 10 am when the store opens, set it up, head to work till about six, come home and rock out..

So much money going to Microsoft for the DLC (Drools)

[Crapshoot]

I honestly have no interest in this game, and I feel wierd about it. For some reason, playing music just doesn't seem like a fun game to me. Am I missing something here (honestly - I feel like everyone is in on the joke except for me).

[SackAttack]

You're a Giants fan. You're not missing the joke, you ARE the joke. :D

[Marc Vaughan]

I've missed the boat totally with all of the related Guitar Hero games etc.

I've 'played' them at SI for a short while before putting them down in a befuddled "ok so playing Simon says is interesting for kids but why is pressing buttons as a reaction test 'fun' ?" sort of way ...

(bear in mind I missed the dance 'craze' in a similar manner - possibly its just a natural reaction considering my natural lack of rythm ...)

[Anthony]

I've 'played' them at SI for a short while before putting them down in a befuddled "ok so playing Simon says is interesting for kids but why is pressing buttons as a reaction test 'fun' ?" sort of way ...

because Simon Says won't let you play "Shout At The Devil" by Motley Crue you British nerd. sod off, you wanker.

[Crapshoot]

You're a Giants fan. You're not missing the joke, you ARE the joke. :D

Bastard. :D Seriously, sketch out the appeal of these games - I've seen my cousins play it, but it never seems to do anything for me.

[Draft Dodger]

I honestly have no interest in this game, and I feel wierd about it. For some reason, playing music just doesn't seem like a fun game to me. Am I missing something here (honestly - I feel like everyone is in on the joke except for me).

admit it, Ravi, you're just itching to give Sitar Hero a try.

[SackAttack]

It's not the same for everybody. For some, it's the idea of simulating something you couldn't ever really do.

Like...most of us playing Madden football? You can pick up Guitar Hero and feel like you're playing along with a legendary rock song in reasonably short order. You know and I know that you aren't really *playing* it, but then you aren't really *playing* football when you spin up Madden, either.

I know for me, a big part of why I've enjoyed these games so much has been an introduction to new music that isn't just passive listening, combined with gaining dexterity with my submissive hand. My left hand is more useful now than it was before Guitar Hero 1 came out (which is to say, it's gone from fork-holding appendage to something marginally more useful).

[Drake]

because Simon Says won't let you play "Shout At The Devil" by Motley Crue you British nerd. sod off, you wanker.

Hahaha. That was maybe the *perfect* answer. :D

[Drake]

You hold your fork with your left hand? WTF?!

[Anthony]

You hold your fork with your left hand? WTF?!

what the hell do you cut your meat with? laser beams shooting from your eyes? :confused: right hand holds the knife.

[MJ4H]

I certainly don't get off on these kinds of games, but I did enjoy, of all things, Elite Beat Agents on DS.

[SackAttack]

You hold your fork with your left hand? WTF?!

Left hand holds the fork, right hand cuts the meat.

[Schmidty]

I've missed the boat totally with all of the related Guitar Hero games etc.

I've 'played' them at SI for a short while before putting them down in a befuddled "ok so playing Simon says is interesting for kids but why is pressing buttons as a reaction test 'fun' ?" sort of way ...

(bear in mind I missed the dance 'craze' in a similar manner - possibly its just a natural reaction considering my natural lack of rythm ...)

I'm with you. To me, these games are tedious and boring. I have no earthly idea why they're so popular. I can see myself as a 10 year-old having fun with it for an hour or two.

Yuck.

[Raiders Army]

I'm down with this game.

[SackAttack]

http://www.filenikki.com/images/X360/rockband/box1.jpg

http://www.filenikki.com/images/X360/rockband/box2.jpg

Next step, set stuff up. :)

[Drake]

Left hand holds the fork, right hand cuts the meat.

I thought that's what wives were for?!

[Buccaneer]

When the posts started here about Guitar Hero awhile back, I was curious (not that I would be play a console game). However, when I saw the guitar and the buttons, it seemed unnatural to me. I wished they somehow produced a guitar with electronic fret. I can understand not doing the fingerings but not without a better simulation of the frets.

[SirFozzie]

Because Man was meant to ROCK.

Since I'm geeking out to some of the videos that I'm viewing on YouTube..

Let me just mention four songs I would love to see as DLC..

Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
We're An American Band - Grand Funk Railroad
Renegade - Styx
Badstreet USA - The Fabulous Freebirds

Yes, I know there's no chance of the last one, but still, let me dream.. :)

[sterlingice]

what the hell do you cut your meat with? laser beams shooting from your eyes? :confused: right hand holds the knife.

Ok, that made me chuckle pretty good :D

SI

[MJ4H]

You haven't lived until you have tapped and dragged around little circles on your DS to Chicago's "You're the Inspiration" with a comic book Christmas morning scene on the other screen.

[SackAttack]

http://www.filenikki.com/images/X360/rockband/box3.jpg

The box at the top says 'Rock Band Wired Guitar'

The pink piece of paper says "Hey, dumbass, if something doesn't work, don't return it to the store. Go to this website for more info about our 60-day hardware guarantee and to get your issue dealt with."

[SackAttack]

Turns out that plastic bag under the pink piece of paper holds the microphone. In the little bitty box to the right, you find this:

http://www.filenikki.com/images/X360/rockband/gizmos.jpg

Two headphone adapters (presumably so lead singer and drummer can communicate), a power adapter for the USB hub, and in that little white box, the USB hub itself.

[SackAttack]

Final pictures before I rock out. Drums are assembled and waiting.

http://www.filenikki.com/images/X360/rockband/drums.jpg

Guitar actually doesn't come in one molded piece; the string adjuster thing has to be put on there. Still, assembly doesn't affect the frets like it does in GH3.

http://www.filenikki.com/images/X360/rockband/guitar.jpg

[Buccaneer]

That looks like actual electronic drums. One has to physically bang on them with the music?

[Calis]

That looks like actual electronic drums. One has to physically bang on them with the music?

Yeah, use normal sticks and all.

The drum kit is actually a somewhat accurate representation of the actual instrument, so that adds a whole new layer of cool to the equation.

Man I didn't pre-order this and somehow missed all the hype, but now I REALLY want it and I'm afraid it's going to be impossible to find a copy. This would be a perfect game to bust out at Thanksgiving dinner and get the whole family involved in.

[SackAttack]

That looks like actual electronic drums. One has to physically bang on them with the music?

Yes. I forgot to hook up the foot pedal before taking that picture (I really should replace the pic with a new one), but yes, you bang on them.

I started on easy, because I only have two-limb coordination. I need to add that foot before I tackle something harder. :D

[Ironhead]

I think someone needs to check on SackAttack and make sure he didn't have a freak gardening accident.

[thealmighty]

I thought that's what wives were for?!

Different meat, there.

[SackAttack]

I think someone needs to check on SackAttack and make sure he didn't have a freak gardening accident.

I've been playing on World Band Tour with my brother for the last, what...three and a half, four hours?

I'm only here because my back insists I take a break. :D

[Icy]

As a "real guitar" player for years in a "real" rock band, i have zero interest on this game as i feel guitar/bass playing is too dumbed down with just a few buttons pressing at the right time, nothing compared to playing a real guitar, but i understand that for those who feel unable to play a real guitar (believe me, you CAN do it), this could be really fun.

The drum kit playing looks more real, and if you need to play it like a real drum, then that could be way funnier and realistic than the button pressing guitar.

The only fun i could see in this game myself is to make fun as a party game, exactly like i see the wii sports games, perfect to play with your kids or with drunk friends but too simple to play solo.

[Groundhog]

I'm also a real guitar player (well, bass, at least ;) ) and I think the game is a lot of fun. I find a lot of other musicians look down at this game thinking much like you do, but when they give it a shot they tend to come around. It's not a "musician simulator", it's a "dance dance revolution"-esque video game.

I mean, there are more than a couple of songs in GH 1 and 2 that I struggle with on expert level, yet I can play them flawlessly on actual guitar or bass. ;)

[Neon_Chaos]

I'm glad for you SA, it's going to be a fun holidays in your house, I'm sure.

Thank god all this commotion passed through Asia a good 10 years ago, and is now a completely "been there, done that fad", what with Konami releasing Guitar Freakz, DrumMania and Beatmania alongside Dance Dance Revolution.

I remember back in high school when me and my pals would spend the nights playing Guitar Freakz, Beatmania, and Keyboard Freakz all hooked up together in the arcade... ugh. :D

Of course, the subsequent PS2 releases of the above titles did me no favors during college. It's nice to see the entire thing has caught on in the States the past couple of years.

[Neon_Chaos]

dola, IIRC, GuitarFreakz is up to it's 11th or 12th iteration already. Not sure though.

[Marc Vaughan]

because Simon Says won't let you play "Shout At The Devil" by Motley Crue you British nerd. sod off, you wanker.

Truly random divergence from thread - I didn't think that most Americans knew what wanker meant? (I had to explain the term to my sister in law and father in law if you wonder why I have this opinion, maybe they just didn't get out much?).

[FrogMan]

PS - I didn't think that most Americans knew what wanker meant?


in HA's case, I'd say monkey see, monkey do ;)

FM

[Butter]

A musician friend of mine agrees... if you learn to play the drums along with these songs at a high level, you're pretty damn close to being able to actually play the drums, period.

[Raiders Army]

I'm so sending my wife out to get this today.

[Anthony]

Truly random divergence from thread - I didn't think that most Americans knew what wanker meant? (I had to explain the term to my sister in law and father in law if you wonder why I have this opinion, maybe they just didn't get out much?).

i'm global. i can jive with most any person i meet. if we were both in england right now we'd order a couple bitters and maybe try to bugger a couple girls (providing we were both single, which we're not).

bullocks. :(

[SirFozzie]

Went and picked up the game. Only had time to set up the drums and try
Dead or Alive (once on Medium, 2nd time on easy).. but so far.. so awesome.. I''m stuck at work till 6 though, damnit :)

[MikeVic]

i'm global. i can jive with most any person i meet. if we were both in england right now we'd order a couple bitters and maybe try to bugger a couple girls (providing we were both single, which we're not).

bullocks. :(

Have some crisps and then ask for the water closet.

[cartman]

Hey, HA,

It's 'bollocks' you poofter.

[hawk4669]

The wife just brought our big box home. I'm glad I married a girl that is both a gamer AND a music lover. :D

Cheers!

[Pumpy Tudors]

How much space do the drums take up? I really want this game, but my gaming space is limited. It'll be even more limited in a week or so when the Christmas tree goes up.

[cartman]

How much space do the drums take up? I really want this game, but my gaming space is limited. It'll be even more limited in a week or so when the Christmas tree goes up.

You need to get your priorities straight, mister. A Christmas tree is only up for a few weeks, but playing Rock Band lasts a lifetime.

[SirFozzie]

You need some space for the install, but the finished set don't take up that much space.

[Dr. Sak]

I can understand not doing the fingerings but not without a better simulation of the frets.

That's what she said...

[rkmsuf]

Triumph the Insult Comic Dog needs to attend a session of a few friends playing this game together.

[SirFozzie]

I think I'm going to order this shirt and wear it while I play Metallica ;)

http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/zoom/heavy-metal.jpg

(yes, this is a Geek joke)

[Pumpy Tudors]

(yes, this is a Geek joke)
Is it ever...

[MJ4H]

Triumph the Insult Comic Dog needs to attend a session of a few friends playing this game together.

haha yes or the midnight release lines.

[Calis]

Well I was wrong, I was able to get a copy(well able to get someone else to grab me one right when Best Buy opened, and it sounded like the went very fast.)

Now if work would just end so I could play it.

[BigMak]

If you were going to play in single player mode and not with 2 or 3 others, would this game or Guitar Hero be the one to get?

[hawk4669]

Well, you can look at it a couple of ways.

If you are a single player, but want more variety (i.e. singing, playing bass, or drums....not just guitar), then buy Rock Band. But, if only playing guitar is good enough for you, then go with Guitar Hero.

For multi-player, Rock Band is a lot of fun. My wife and I have been playing a bunch this morning and having a blast. Also, now we have a "band" with my 8 year old daughter on lead vocals and are having fun with that as well.

Guitar Hero is tried and true, and we're still in the novelty phase of Rock Band....but I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

Just my two cents.

Cheers!

[SirFozzie]

BTW, best Drummer joke I've heard so far..

Q: What does it mean when your drummer is drooling out of one side of his mouth..

A: It means that the stage is lopsided.

[Raiders Army]

Man, I don't have any rythmn: the drums are still pretty difficult. I think it's because you're trying to use your hands and foot at the same time.

Anyhow, my microphone isn't working. Has anyone else had that problem? I plugged it into every usb port and the 360 isn't recognizing it. I plugged it into my computer and my computer recognized it, so I'm pretty sure it's not a hardware issue, but it's also not a port issue.

[SirFozzie]

One thing I've learned, being lead guitar.. you will save your teammates ass if they fail. the drummer and vocals have to wait to special sections to activate overdrive.. you can activate it any time, and you have the most opportunity to build up Overdrive to bring them back in. We just played "Epic" and our drummers failed out twice, but any time I noticed his gauge drifting lower, I'd hold off on activating overdrive ,and be ready to bring him back into it if/when he failed.

[Ironhead]

Man, I don't have any rythmn: the drums are still pretty difficult. I think it's because you're trying to use your hands and foot at the same time.

Anyhow, my microphone isn't working. Has anyone else had that problem? I plugged it into every usb port and the 360 isn't recognizing it. I plugged it into my computer and my computer recognized it, so I'm pretty sure it's not a hardware issue, but it's also not a port issue.

I read that you need to have a controller plugged in (wired or wireless) in order for the system to recognize the mic.

[SirFozzie]

BTW, there is an update already out for Rock Band. No idea what it fixes.

[Flasch186]

what about a review foz? What do you think of it :)

[Raiders Army]

I read that you need to have a controller plugged in (wired or wireless) in order for the system to recognize the mic.

Thanks. I went to the website identified on the pink "STOP" piece of paper and it said the same thing. Going to try it out now.

[SirFozzie]

Quick Review: It is made of awesome and win.

Further review will take me about 15 minutes to type up.

[SirFozzie]

Not So Instant (but still pretty Quick) Review:

To say I had high hopes for Harmonix's latest and greatest offering, ROCK BAND, would be an understatement. This is from the group that created the first three games in the Guitar Hero series (Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero II, and Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80's). But this was something completely new. Not only could you rock out on guitar and bass, the game comes with a drum set and a microphone, for the full out rock experience.

Fair warning, the box is heavy (the folks at the GameStop where I purchased the game said the box is somewhere in the range of 25 or so pounds, and I don't have any reason to doubt that), and if you're not mechanically inclined, you may want someone else to set up the drums for you.

Once you get everything set up (the XBox 360 version comes with a four-port USB Hub, so you don't go completely bonkers), it's fairly easy to load up and to start rocking. Within 5 minutes of final assembly, I was logged in and rocking out to Bon Jovi's "Dead or Alive".

The solo experience is good.. the game will seem easier to the folks who have played through the Guitar Hero series (especially Guitar Hero 3) on the guitar and bass parts.. but that's ok.. so far, it seems very flowing in tunes.

In Solo Tour mode, you work your way up the ladder of difficulty of songs for your instrument in either guitar, drums, or vocals. Each group of songs is progressively "harder" for that instrument (for example, "Dead or Alive" is in the apprentice section of drums, but in a higher section for guitar.

The meat of the game, is the Band World Tour mode, which needs currently two or more physical players at one location (the game does not ship with it enabled for online multiplayer, but Harmonix and EA have promised it in a patch somewhere down the road.)

You earn stars by playing at various cities.. you chose where to start amongst all the cities listed in the game (for example, Boston or New York City), and the cities that you play in determine the songlists you will face. For example, if you're in New York, you might see a lot of East Coast songs on your set list.

As you get better, you can unlock more places to play (3 arenas per city), and be able to travel to more cities and grow your Rock Band's legend.

One neat thing about the game is the savior system. If at any time, one of your band members (whether near or far), fails out of the song, you have approximately 30 seconds to rescue them or you all fail the song, but if you sacrifice some of your overdrive (Rock Band's version of Star Power, generated by playing certain highlighted sections of the song perfectly), you can bring them back into the song.

With 45 licensed tracks (most of which are master versions, right from the original recordings), 13 bonus tracks (from Harmonix's many many bands), and a whopping 15 or so songs available already as Downloadable Content, (prices are about $2 for one song, $5.50 for a three pack), and a number rumored to be in the triple digits of add on songs down the road, there is a ton of variety.

The Verdict: Rock Band is a game made of pure distilled awesomeness. It is a perfect party game (whether in one place or over your favorite system's online service), and it is a paradigm shift in how games are viewed. I would not be surprised to see this become a World Of Warcraft-like money maker for Harmonix and Electronic Arts.

[SackAttack]

This is the kind of game, I think, that all of the Gamenikki staff who play need to submit their own impressions of.

I think EA sent me another Rock Band bundle on 360, though. I have to talk to Dave, see if he's going to be able to use it. If he can, we are so doing Gamenikki Rock Band.

[Calis]

The patch probably has something to do with a pretty widespread issue with guitars not reading a downstrum or something along those lines. It was a problem I know a lot of the displays were having and heard about people having it as well. I expected it was a hardware issue, but Harmonix said there'd be a patch and look like there is, so good deal if anyone had that issue(haven't ran into it personally).

Played for about 3.5 hours or so tonight with a small group of us. We rocked out minus a bassist, but I must say it was a blast. The people I played with haven't played any of the Guitar Hero games and aren't gamers in the least but they were able to pick it up pretty well and managed to play through Easy with very few failures(Except Drums...drums are a beast, and even I came very close to failing on easy with them a couple times. They are very tough, but also far and away the most fun instrument out of the group.) I think Bass on most songs on the easy settings is a great way to introduce non-gamers to the game, as it's really simple to play for the most part and they can move up from there.

Probably going to end up as one of the best party games of all-time, I can see it being busted out quite often at parties. The drums are just amazing, and I can see taking a long time to master.

[Raiders Army]

I got the mic working. Funny, I don't think I downloaded a patch. Anyhow, I'd agree that this game rocks (no pun intended). I've played guitar, drums and even sang a little. I try not to get upset with my kids as they play guitar and sing, but it's pretty easy since they can pick their difficulty level on the multiplayer single song mode.

We're also using the guitar from GH2 to play bass, but the other guitar that came with the game became quickly forgotten since my kids liked the GH2 guitar better. The Rock Band guitar looks better IMHO.

All in all, a good buy at $170 and I know I'll definitely get my money's worth outta this game.

[SackAttack]

Yeah, the Rock Band guitar is better. I'm glad EA sent me an extra one of those to go along with the extra Rock Band kit.

We haven't had any problem with strumming on the guitar, or with the microphone.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Just got home from work to discover a massive package awaiting me.

Snicker, Snicker.

[Raiders Army]

When I sang, I didn't sing words at times. I just hit the right notes and sang "duh duh duh duh" like that car commercial. Honda I think?

[SackAttack]

Woo. The extra Rock Band bundle was intentional. Gamenikki Rock Band, here we come!

[spleen1015]

I emptied the box last night and assembled everything. I haven't opened the game yet, though.

After putting the drum kit together, I sat intimidated by it for about 5 minutes.

[SackAttack]

I emptied the box last night and assembled everything. I haven't opened the game yet, though.

After putting the drum kit together, I sat intimidated by it for about 5 minutes.

Little advice - pay attention to what difficulty you're playing on. I wasn't paying attention, and played the Soundgarden track on Medium, and my right leg wanted to fall off by the time I was done.

[spleen1015]

I will definitely start out on Easy.

[Lonnie]

My strummer is already broken. It won't strum down, and the patch didn't fix it. In fact it started failing well after the patch. Good thing I have my explorer and les paul and can still have a full band while I wait on a replacement.

[SackAttack]

Yeah, I started having problems with the strummer, but have not downloaded the patch yet. Hopefully that will fix.

Oddly, after playing on the Fender for a while, once the strummer started being wonky, I found using the Xplorer easier. Don't know if it's button spacing, or what.

[hawk4669]

Rock Band (and all the Peripherals) are working great for us.

Unfortunately, my X-Box 360 picked now to experience the "Red Ring of Death" hardware failure. :( We got to play the game just enough to start having fun with it....now my 360 is dead.

Thank goodness that it's still under warranty. *shrug*

Cheers!

[SackAttack]

Yeah, I started having problems with the strummer, but have not downloaded the patch yet. Hopefully that will fix.

Oddly, after playing on the Fender for a while, once the strummer started being wonky, I found using the Xplorer easier. Don't know if it's button spacing, or what.

Downloading the patch helped a little, for a while. It's not doing it as badly now, but I'm still getting weirdness. Unfortunately, as I've moved up to Hard that may just be me sucking.

[Doug5984]

Ok this might be a dumb question, but- do the guitar hero guitars work for rock band? I told my girlfriend this is what I wanted for Christmas and I'm just curious if I need to buy the full set or what. I already have 2 guitars for guitar hero. (I'm also assuming the bass is the same as the normal guitar?)

[SackAttack]

Yes, at least for the Xbox 360 version. I've heard differently about PS3, but I can personally confirm that the GH3 guitars work on Xbox 360's Rock Band.

You don't need to buy the full set if you're just going to treat it as a Guitar Hero-style game for now; only if you want the vocals and the drums do you need the full set this year. Next year, the peripherals will be available for purchase if you want to branch out at any point.

[Doug5984]

ah ok- well I want the drums and vocals, so I guess I'll just go ahead and get the full set, and that'd leave me with 1 extra guitar.

[MizzouRah]

I so want this game.

"Wait until Christmas" she says. :(

[KWhit]

Is there a way to 'record' the song as you perform it (especially the vocals you sing) and play it back later?

[SirFozzie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ9XLiMfBRo&eurl

Holy shit..

Metallica And Justice for All on Expert Drums.

[Buccaneer]

Wow.

[MizzouRah]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ9XLiMfBRo&eurl

Holy shit..

Metallica And Justice for All on Expert Drums.

No doubt!

[Raiders Army]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ9XLiMfBRo&eurl

Holy shit..

Metallica And Justice for All on Expert Drums.

That's insane. A few things:

He must've played drums before; there's no way he could play that well already.
What happened to his drums? There's tape all over them.
That's some wacky shit when they mute the music and you hear him bangin.
You can download songs already? I'm there.

[MJ4H]

That's insane. A few things:

He must've played drums before; there's no way he could play that well already.
What happened to his drums? There's tape all over them.
That's some wacky shit when they mute the music and you hear him bangin.
You can download songs already? I'm there.

He does:


And yes, I play drums in real life, have been for 4+ years, so the people going on about "play a real instrument", no, sorry, I do play real drums.


Yeah real percussion skills translate to this game pretty well. The main issue is reading the different kind of "notation" that these games use. If you can do that well, these games are a breeze for people that play well.

[SirFozzie]

BTW, this game has led to the purchase of a few albums on iTunes today.

VAGIANT (Seven and FTK) Public Display of Infection
Bang Camaro (Pleasure (Pleasure), Push Push Lady Lightning), Bang Camaro
Freezepop (Less Talk More Rokk, BRAINPOWER) Future Future Future Perfect

[Calis]

Anyone try and of the DLC yet? I wondered what folks thought of it. Fortunate Son, Jukebox Hero, Bang a Gong, and Joker & the Thief all seem pretty tempting to me, and maybe even the Police pack. Just wondered if the quality seemed the same as the rest of the songs.

Hell I actually really like the selections for DLC, the single shots are great at release and I'm pretty excited for both the Bowie pack and the Black Sabbath one.

[Raiders Army]

Bought the Police pack and Jukebox Hero. They're the same quality as the rest of the songs. I'm hoping for a Bon Jovi one...we've played Wanted Dead or Alive a buncha times.

[SackAttack]

I've snagged the Metallica pack (great, but it makes my hands hurt on guitar), and Juke Box Hero.

I can't wait for the Who to hit.

[Voo]

I downloaded the Police pack and The Joker and the Thief by Wolfmother. The Joker and the Thief is probably my favorite song in the whole game, but that has a lot to do with Wolfmother being one of my favorite bands.

[Calis]

Yeah I wound up buying several, and they're very well done. The Joker & The Thief is awesome, probably my favorite one to sing now, and Bang a Gong is pretty fun as well. Haven't played My Sharona or Fortunate Son yet, so can't comment on those. Highly recommend any of them though, good stuff.

Run to the Hills by Iron Maiden might be one of my favorite all-time songs on the guitar, we just ran into that one and it was a blast.

My eyes won't allow me to play anymore tonight unfortunately.

[BigDawg]

I give the game an A+++

As a drummer ( long time ago ) I was drawn to this after brief stints playing GH. I found this a great way to get the whole family together as a father of 4 ages 20,18,15,11 its hard to find family activates everyone enjoys. But after putting this game together we found our selfs playing till 2AM in the morning.

Of course it took a while to go thru and give the kids a few lessons on playing the drums and it was fun to play songs from my youth that the kids would never lesson to before they just love now.

Is also fun to find out who has realy bad signing voices to the extent the cat went and hid under the bed....LOL

[BigDawg]

and where is the Zep Pack??

I would take out a second mortgage to get my hands on the whole Led Zep catalog for Rock Band ... hehe

[SirFozzie]

Ok, so who y'all wants to rock out with Sack and I.. today is ROCK BAND Day!

[SirFozzie]

TIMMY!

[Chubby]

I'll be buying this for PS2 game only (not the bundle) since we have 2 guitars already and we can add a mic if we really want to later. Drums seem cool but not for $150

[SackAttack]

I don't know if the PS2 version is going to be available game-only. I haven't heard anything about how it's going to be sold, only that it's going to be available in December.

[Chubby]

I don't know if the PS2 version is going to be available game-only. I haven't heard anything about how it's going to be sold, only that it's going to be available in December.

They have it listed on best buy for game only on the 12th for $49.99

[Raiders Army]

For you Canadians, wait until after December 17th to buy it. Word is that EA will not support the game until after the Canadian release date. That's stupid.

Also, it seems as if EA Violet has surfaced as tech support to the Rock Band community. That sucks since she hasn't provided any news about the Madden patch in over a month. She isn't exactly the most informative person...especially when the going gets rough.

[BigDawg]

Finished easy on my solo carrer, onto medium witch unlocks some great songs so now I can play Rush, Boston, Metallica, who in BAND mode. Scorning a solid 4-4.5 stars on drums(medium)... hell some songs I can almost play it with out looking at the notes..LOL

I just tried Enter Sandman on Hard on gutar for an hour and still cant get thru the whole song..man my hand is cramping bad.

[Vince]

The PS2 version is available in both big package and game-only -- I have the whole shebang on pre-order for my little sister's christmas gift.

[KWhit]

Is there a way to 'record' the song as you perform it (especially the vocals you sing) and play it back later?

Anyone?

[SackAttack]

Say, I discovered last night - you know those mystery setlists in the different venues? Anything you buy can be and will be inserted into those setlists. I was playing World Band Tour on Hard with my brother, and oh, look, "Ride the Lightning."

We got skunked.

[Voo]

Say, I discovered last night - you know those mystery setlists in the different venues? Anything you buy can be and will be inserted into those setlists. I was playing World Band Tour on Hard with my brother, and oh, look, "Ride the Lightning."

We got skunked.

I had this same type of thing happen to my group on Saturday night, except we got Joker & The Thief and there was much rejoicing. Speaking of which..here's a clip(actually 3 spliced together) of a live performance in Fort Wayne that I recorded with my phone. Watch the sound, kind of loud.

<embed src="http://www.jumpcut.com/media/flash/jump.swf?id=418FA492283D11DCB03D000423CF037A&asset_type=movie&asset_id=418FA492283D11DCB03D000423CF037A&eb=1" width="408" height="324" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

FYI to those that already have Guitar Hero. It appears that there are multiple versions of both the guitar and drums in the Rock Band packs. One version of the guitar and drums appears to be having a lot of failure issues. Here's a thread that shows pictures of the various guitars. You should be able to tell which model you have based on the pictures. I would expect something from Harmonix in the next few weeks with a possible resolution to the problem.

http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=9692

[Doug5984]

Knew I should've jumped on this earlier... Am now having a very tough time trying to locate a bundle for either the PS3 or 360

[Sweed]

Knew I should've jumped on this earlier... Am now having a very tough time trying to locate a bundle for either the PS3 or 360

I was in the Best Buy in Sioux Falls, South Dakota yesterday. They didn't have any ps3 bundles but they had a pallet and a half size display stacked 4 feet high of 360 bundles. I'd guess you'd get about 10 boxes per layer on a pallet so they had somewhere around 60+ bundles on their display.

No, it won't help you but I thought I'd mention it so guys know that there are still some out there.

[Doug5984]

I was in the Best Buy in Sioux Falls, South Dakota yesterday. They didn't have any ps3 bundles but they had a pallet and a half size display stacked 4 feet high of 360 bundles. I'd guess you'd get about 10 boxes per layer on a pallet so they had somewhere around 60+ bundles on their display.

No, it won't help you but I thought I'd mention it so guys know that there are still some out there.

That is good to know, guess I'll just have to do the regular internet check / call all the local stores until I can pick one up. Shouldn't be too hard to find it before christmas since I could take either 360 or Ps3

[SirFozzie]

I just solo'd BWT mode.. only finished the first city.. even on easy, trying to sing and playguitar at the same time is HARD.

[Voo]

I just solo'd BWT mode.. only finished the first city.. even on easy, trying to sing and playguitar at the same time is HARD.

It is hard, but it is also so much fun. One thing I've noticed is how completely crappy the standard xbox headset is compared to the mic that comes with rock band. I've been thinking of getting a mic stand, but Im finding it hard to justify buying it.

[Doug5984]

OK so i'm probably just dumb here- but I was able to pick up the game, been playing it for a few hours, but I can't seem to find how to / where to buy songs. Basically I want Juke Box Hero...but a bunch of others would be nice. I've completed a few sets on the guitar, 1 singing, and about to start a drum one...just wondering how I get to the good stuff.

[StarBuck]

Do you think the game will hold the interest or be one of those "toys" that after the initial newness wears off, gathers dust?

[Calis]

Do you think the game will hold the interest or be one of those "toys" that after the initial newness wears off, gathers dust?

You know I really thought it would be one of those dust gatherers, but I'm still enthralled by just the guitar, and this is the 4th installment of that and it's really not declining. Add in the drums and singing and I think the longevity shoots up.

[StarBuck]

It's not cheap, so that is good to hear. It looks to take up space as well, but if people were actually playing the hell out of it, it would be worth it.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I thought that the game would have online co-op play from the beginning. If I understood what I've read, it seems that this is not a feature yet. Maybe when they get this into the game, I'll think about buying it. For now, I admittedly don't have any friends and nobody likes me, so I would be playing alone. I could just beat on a saucepot with a wooden spoon and have as much fun.

[flounder]

It has online co-op quickplay, just no online co-op tour mode.

[SackAttack]

OK so i'm probably just dumb here- but I was able to pick up the game, been playing it for a few hours, but I can't seem to find how to / where to buy songs. Basically I want Juke Box Hero...but a bunch of others would be nice. I've completed a few sets on the guitar, 1 singing, and about to start a drum one...just wondering how I get to the good stuff.

Two ways. If you're on the Xbox 360, you can do it directly from the Xbox Live Marketplace (which is how I grabbed it). You should also be able to choose 'community' from the main menu, and then there should be an option for downloadable content there.

I thought that the game would have online co-op play from the beginning. If I understood what I've read, it seems that this is not a feature yet. Maybe when they get this into the game, I'll think about buying it. For now, I admittedly don't have any friends and nobody likes me, so I would be playing alone. I could just beat on a saucepot with a wooden spoon and have as much fun.

Online co-op is absolutely there. Fozzie and I have been rocking it.

It's Band World Tour with all the neat extras that's not enabled yet.

[Pyser]

this is the most fun ive ever had playing a video game.

the drums are sick.

sick sick sick.

sick.

[BigMak]

Cannot find either this game or Guitar Hero anywhere

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Looks like EA is having some issues replacing the broken guitars and drum sets. They're offering consumers free EA games to keep them pacified until they can catch up and get the replacement instruments out. Replacement times are currently running 2-3 weeks.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/rock-band/ea-handing-out-free-games-for-rock-band-guitar-snafu-328898.php

[Lonnie]

Confirmed, I just received that email on Friday. Hopefully my guitar arrives today. I doubt the free game will be a current release.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Confirmed, I just received that email on Friday. Hopefully my guitar arrives today. I doubt the free game will be a current release.

Post what game it is once you receive it. I'm curious which games they'll be giving away.

[MizzouRah]

I think it's Head Coach. :P

[Lonnie]

Well I did get the guitar today. I'm going to go abuse it through a gauntlet of expert songs to see if it'll break.

No free game in the box, so I assume they will coordinate that later.

[Raiders Army]

Is it bad that I want some Def Leppard songs so I can one hand the drums?

[BigDawg]

Is it bad that I want some Def Leppard songs so I can one hand the drums?


Growning up I always thought of DefLep as fluffy girly rock but I seen them live last summer and it was an awsome concert. The one armed drummer dude realy kicked ass. :D

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Is it bad that I want some Def Leppard songs so I can one hand the drums?

In that train of thought, has anyone every played 'One Hand or Two Hands'? Great party game. Everytime a Def Leppard song comes on, you try to guess whether the drummer has one or two hands for that song. Great, mindless fun.

[Mr. Wednesday]

That would be pretty easy if you know Def Leppard at all, unless you're doing it with obscure songs.

[Flasch186]

First night of Chanukkah and the wife got me ROCK BAND for the PS3!!

Rufus Bournstein coming to a city near you!!!

Ashley on Guitar, me on drums...

---referencing to another thread I had today I'd like to point out that it is possible to play videogames with the wifey :)

[Lonnie]

This just in:

Greetings Rocker,

You recently received an e-mail from us regarding the status of your Rock Band shipment and our offer to also send you a FREE EA GAME. We trust that by this time your guitar has arrived and you’re rocking out!

We are working diligently to create a process to allow you to pick your FREE EA Game. Given that this is by far the busiest month of the year for our customer support team, we are still working out the final details – but we just wanted to let you know that you can expect an email with a list of available EA Titles and how to place your order for your FREE EA Game soon.

We appreciate your patience,

The Rock Band Team at Harmonix, MTV and EA

[Flasch186]

i suck on the drums but I like banging on hem like im a monkey.

[Alan T]

So.. I think I am the parent of the year.. My wife and I decided to get Rock Band for the oldest daughter. She loved guitar hero when we borrowed my brother in law's for a while. We really didn't want to buy video games this year for her.. we've been trying to encourage her to spend more time doing active things.. We figured this game would be something that she could do with us though and not just play a game by herself....

Well, go figure, my wife and I decided to "try it out" tonight before hand. .. and we ended up playing it for 4 hours.. woops. Its going to be santa's present for her for christmas, so was going to be out of the box anyways, so we broke down and did it.... I have a feeling we'll end up liking it more than her..

So how horrible of a parent am I? :) That said, my wife wants to know how to unlock Dani California.. lol..

[Lathum]

ok.

so if you actualy know how to play an instument ( drums) is this game any fun?

[Mr. Wednesday]

From what I could tell upthread, drums seems to relate pretty well to the real instrument.

[SackAttack]

So.. I think I am the parent of the year.. My wife and I decided to get Rock Band for the oldest daughter. She loved guitar hero when we borrowed my brother in law's for a while. We really didn't want to buy video games this year for her.. we've been trying to encourage her to spend more time doing active things.. We figured this game would be something that she could do with us though and not just play a game by herself....

Well, go figure, my wife and I decided to "try it out" tonight before hand. .. and we ended up playing it for 4 hours.. woops. Its going to be santa's present for her for christmas, so was going to be out of the box anyways, so we broke down and did it.... I have a feeling we'll end up liking it more than her..

So how horrible of a parent am I? :) That said, my wife wants to know how to unlock Dani California.. lol..

Alan, I *think* Dani California gets unlocked if you play through the Rio de Janeiro tour. That's how most of the bonus songs seem to crop up, from what I've played.

[Alan T]

Alan, I *think* Dani California gets unlocked if you play through the Rio de Janeiro tour. That's how most of the bonus songs seem to crop up, from what I've played.

Thanks! I think my wife is going to want to "test" it out some more before Christmas comes and she loves that song :)

[Anthony]

i play this game and i love it. i bought the game and a guitar hero guitar cuz i had no interest in singing and since i tend to play game after my wife goes to bed there's no way i could do it without keeping her up. i also heard the Rockc Band guitars are flimsy and break easy, so i just got the guitar only. i decided i'm not good enough to play FPS games anymore, these leet kidz are beyond my capability and i just wind up getting frustrated. i played Halo/COD4 and just wasn't that successful, felt a game like this was more up my alley. lots of fun, i play it online a lot. astoria23 is my gamer tag, i removed a lot of you who i had as friends only cuz i wasn't playing with you (and i don't like clutter so i paired down the people from here who i never played with), but if any of you were looking for a FOFC band partner to play a couple of songs then look me up.

[Alan T]

Just so I understand correctly, you can buy the guitar hero III with the guitar and use that guitar as a second guitar in rock band (for the bass) right?

[SirFozzie]

for xbox360 right now, for PS3 coming up in a patch

[SackAttack]

Thanks! I think my wife is going to want to "test" it out some more before Christmas comes and she loves that song :)

I'm wrong, incidentally. Dani California is one of the main setlist songs.

That means you need to either play through one of the solo tours or Band World Tour to unlock it.

HA - Foz and I jam online from time to time. We could use a third.

[Anthony]

Just so I understand correctly, you can buy the guitar hero III with the guitar and use that guitar as a second guitar in rock band (for the bass) right?

correct, but not vice versa (ie, you can't use a Rock Band guitar to play GHIII). i bought the Guitar Hero Explorer (wired, not wireless) when i asked this to the Gamestop guy (i didn't really want to buy the bundle) i was pessimistic but excited to be able to save soo much money.

just note the only downside is i have to plug this in, but since i play the game in my home office it's not like i'd be running around the house anyway. saved a ton of money doing it this way.

[Anthony]

HA - Foz and I jam online from time to time. We could use a third.

k, resend me a friend invite and i'll add you. the hours i'm most likely to be on are 9-12 (or 1 depending on my mood) eastern time.

[SackAttack]

What's your gamertag?

[Anthony]

astoria23

[KWhit]

KingJackoff77?

[Buccaneer]

Anyone want to take bets that KingJackoff will suck, quit and then blame Foz and Sack?

[SackAttack]

astoria23

added.

[SackAttack]

I'm wrong, incidentally. Dani California is one of the main setlist songs.

That means you need to either play through one of the solo tours or Band World Tour to unlock it.

Chicago, incidentally. Fifth set on solo (at least for the drums).

[SirFozzie]

I'm up for some Rock Band in a half hour, you up for it Sack and HA?

[SackAttack]

Looks like it's been half an hour. I'm ready.

[Anthony]

sorry, i met up with a cool bunch of people and we were having a blast. you guys didn't send me an invite to play though.

Pleasure (Pleasure) is one of my favorite songs now. i love it.

but i'm down to play tonite with you guys, around 11pm.

btw, those guys i was playing with - we scored 1,057,000 points playing Welcome Home by Coheed and Cambria. that was excellent. funny thing is i don't even like that song at all. i like the singer i was jamming with, he was drinking a lot and instead of muting his mike we actually heard his voice. i hate when the singers shut their mikes off, this isn't American Idol, no one cares if you sing bad.

[SirFozzie]

We actually sent two invites from me, HA, and I think Sack sent one too.

[Chubby]

I can't wait til the PS2 version comes out. I've seen dates ranging from tomorrow through the 18th. Guess my fix will have to be from Best Buy until xmas anyway.

We have 2 Best Buys here, one has a broken guitar but working drums while the other has a working guitar but a broken yellow pad on the drums. Sigh... Good thing I'm going game only and adding the drums and mic when I want to

[SackAttack]

We actually sent two invites from me, HA, and I think Sack sent one too.

Yeah, I definitely sent one while you were listed as being in Solo mode. Then Fozzie invited me because he didn't receive mine, and I had him add and try to invite you.

[Anthony]

sorry, stepped away from the PC to go pick up my wife from the train station and left it on standby for a bit.

who plays what? i only have the geetar so i can do that or bass. do either of you sing? i bet fozzie does.

when we play we have to do Pleasure (Pleasure) and In Bloom. i fucking rock the solo in In Bloom. i could've been a rock god if i wanted.

[SirFozzie]

And if Sack's leg is less then twice the size it was after last night's session, he wants to do "Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who :). He was really HOWLING in pain (sooooo much kick pedal in that song!)

[SackAttack]

I'm all over the drums, yeah. Foz can sing if he wants to.

I'm down with In Bloom. I also like, as Foz said, "Won't Get Fooled Again," I dig "Learn To Fly," "Paranoid," "(Don't Fear) the Reaper," and a bunch of others.

[Pyser]

sack, what level do you drum at?

[SackAttack]

Pyser, I've been starting to play some of them on Medium. I haven't finished Solo Tour yet, so I haven't unlocked everything for quick play, but the ones I have played, I've generally been working on in Medium.

I've taken a look at Expert, and what I saw made a tiny piece of my soul die.

[SirFozzie]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=19ZxhvkEuIc

Tom Sawyer on expert drums. Also known as being put to the pain...

[Pyser]

i have 6 songs left on hard on drums on solo tour. it was an amazing day when my foot starting working semi-independently of my arms. im still not all the way there, but its damn fun.

[cartman]

Ok, you guys have finally broken me down. A Circuit City near by had them in stock, and I have one waiting for me to go and pick up.

[SackAttack]

i have 6 songs left on hard on drums on solo tour. it was an amazing day when my foot starting working semi-independently of my arms. im still not all the way there, but its damn fun.

That happened for me the other night on "Won't Get Fooled Again."

Hurt like holy hell, but still a great experience.

[Voo]

I've finished the drum solo tour on medium...I started the tour on hard, and was doing well, so I bumped it to expert. Just a couple songs in and I've lost all confidence.

[Chubby]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo3PSRtWknE&feature=related

[SackAttack]

I'm rockin' now if anybody wants to join me. I know Foz is thinkin' about doin' so in a little bit.

[SirFozzie]

Give me about 15-20, and I'm good..

[cartman]

I've got the game sitting here, but I haven't unboxed it yet.

[SackAttack]

because you're lazy, or because it's for Christmas?

[cartman]

because you're lazy, or because it's for Christmas?

A little of both. I picked it up at lunch today, but didn't get home until late, just in time to run the FOFC-BBCF sim. Simultaneously, I was on my laptop checking out files for a QA build for a project at work. I just got through with the build and deployment, but I think I'll hold off the unpacking until tomorrow.

[SirFozzie]

So, uh.. SackAttack. How's your leg?

(we not only attacked The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" on Medium (last time he was hurting, it was only from EASY), immediately afterwards we did Tom Sawyer, again on Medium, which is hell on drums, (of course, nothing compared to expert)

Trying to figure out how to enable my mic while I'm singing, inflict my voice on all of you ;)

[SackAttack]

So, uh.. SackAttack. How's your leg?

(we not only attacked The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" on Medium (last time he was hurting, it was only from EASY), immediately afterwards we did Tom Sawyer, again on Medium, which is hell on drums, (of course, nothing compared to expert)

Trying to figure out how to enable my mic while I'm singing, inflict my voice on all of you ;)

My leg's fine. I've been practicing my drum-fu.

I'd be curious about your neighbor's ears, though. Were the dogs howling?

[SirFozzie]

Yeah right, you're ok ;)

Tom Sawyer was going to be our last song anyway, and right after the song finishes, I hear this..

"Owwwww. Yes, this definitely was our last song"

Besides, my singing wasn't that bad, yes I was on easy for half the songs, but the rest of them I was on medium, so at least I was MOSTLY on pitch ;)

[SackAttack]

Yeah right, you're ok ;)

Tom Sawyer was going to be our last song anyway, and right after the song finishes, I hear this..

"Owwwww. Yes, this definitely was our last song"

Besides, my singing wasn't that bad, yes I was on easy for half the songs, but the rest of them I was on medium, so at least I was MOSTLY on pitch ;)

Liar.

Dad asked "are you going to be long?" I told him "This was our last song."

Just because YOU had trouble doesn't mean you need to twist the facts of MY performance. :)

[sterlingice]

Uh oh. Trouble in the band. Sounds like a breakup is brewing ;)

SI

[SirFozzie]

*laughs* Nah, we were joking that we were arguing, just like a real rock band.

I fully expect SackAttack to need rehab at some point in the near future..

*grins and DUCKS*

[SackAttack]

*laughs* Nah, we were joking that we were arguing, just like a real rock band.

I fully expect SackAttack to need rehab at some point in the near future..

*grins and DUCKS*

I'm not the one who sounds like a drunk monkey at the mic. :D

[SirFozzie]

I'm not the one who sounds like a drunk monkey at the mic. :D

Bah! You can't even hear me when I'm singing, so like you would know :P

[SackAttack]

I can't hear you singing, but you forget, the words show the pitch meter. I can see how badly you're missing notes, even if I can't hear it. :D

[SackAttack]

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/rock_band.png

[Raiders Army]

Harmonix and MTV Games want you to ring in the holiday cheer with a
special Rock Band gift. For a limited time, fans and
gamers can purchase tracks from platinum-plus-selling rock act 30
Seconds To Mars, pop-punkers All-American Rejects and Swedish new-wavers
The Sounds at a special holiday price of $0.99 per song (80 Microsoft
Points per track for Xbox 360).

Starting tomorrow, there will be a total of five new songs available.
They are:

"Attack" - 30 Seconds To Mars (from 2005's A Beautiful Lie)
"The Kill" - 30 Seconds To Mars (from 2005's A Beautiful Lie)
"Dirty Little Secret" - All-American Rejects (from 2005's Move Along)
"Move Along" - All-American Rejects (from 2005's Move Along)
"Song With A Mission" - The Sounds (from 2006's Dying To Say This To
You)
Nice. 99 cents apiece.

[CamEdwards]

My daughter bought this for her brothers (and me) for Christmas, so I'm sure I'll be spending most of tomorrow morning hooking shit up and watching them play. I'm kind of looking forward to trying out the drums though.

[MizzouRah]

Got this from my dad and step mom tonight and the wife, kids, and I have not stopped playing this masterpiece of genius gaming experience!!!!!

Damn the rest of my gaming library is going to be lonely! The drums might be the most fun I've ever had playing video games. Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reading about the 30 seconds to Mars songs has me really giddy.. I think I need to buy some more Metallica songs as well.

My 11 year old is already in love with Enter Sandman.. bless her young soul. :)

[Chubby]

Now I'm torn...

I got Rockband PS2 for xmas but my mom bought me a PS3 so I'm thinking of returning the PS2 and taking some games to trade in and get the PS3 bundle (since we have 2 PS2 guitars we didn't need the PS2 bundle)

[Vince]

Now I'm torn...

I got Rockband PS2 for xmas but my mom bought me a PS3 so I'm thinking of returning the PS2 and taking some games to trade in and get the PS3 bundle (since we have 2 PS2 guitars we didn't need the PS2 bundle)

All the gear for the PS2 version works on the PS3, so all you need to do is go purchase the PS3 Game. There's a big piece of paper inside that tells you that the gear is compatible with PS3 -- I know because I bought it for my sister for Christmas.

By the way, I don't like how the Drum Solo Tour has random kick-your-ass-hard songs in different sets, and then follows them up with basic beats. Vaseline by STP being the first obvious example I can think of. It makes me feel really good to get by those songs...but good lord, they're like a million times harder than anything in their own set, and usually way harder than most of the songs in the following set as well.

[CamEdwards]

So we're having a little trouble with the microphone. The game is reading everything else, but for some reason we're plugging in the microphone and it's not doing anything. Am I missing some crucial step here?

[Vince]

So we're having a little trouble with the microphone. The game is reading everything else, but for some reason we're plugging in the microphone and it's not doing anything. Am I missing some crucial step here?

Make sure you have a regular game controller plugged in -- you use that controller to join the game with the microphone. It took my family about 20 minutes to figure that one out :)

[Raiders Army]

So we're having a little trouble with the microphone. The game is reading everything else, but for some reason we're plugging in the microphone and it's not doing anything. Am I missing some crucial step here?

I had that problem too. You need to turn on a controller. That is how you select your difficulty, etc. for the singer.

[Vince]

You'd think they'd mention that somewhere in the documentation, but I'm pretty sure they don't.

[CamEdwards]

I had that problem too. You need to turn on a controller. That is how you select your difficulty, etc. for the singer.

I thought that might be the case, but my 16-year old was insisting it wasn't so. Why on earth I listened to him I'll never know. Thanks RA.

[Chubby]

All the gear for the PS2 version works on the PS3, so all you need to do is go purchase the PS3 Game. There's a big piece of paper inside that tells you that the gear is compatible with PS3 -- I know because I bought it for my sister for Christmas.

By the way, I don't like how the Drum Solo Tour has random kick-your-ass-hard songs in different sets, and then follows them up with basic beats. Vaseline by STP being the first obvious example I can think of. It makes me feel really good to get by those songs...but good lord, they're like a million times harder than anything in their own set, and usually way harder than most of the songs in the following set as well.

Well I got the standalone PS2 version so I didn't get any instruments. We have 2 PS2 guitars already from Guitar Hero so we were just going to use those and add the drums later when they come out separate. Now that my mom got me a PS3 I might return the PS2 version and trade in my PS2 w/HDD and get the PS3 bundle since that would cover the drums/mic and get us the better career mode.

No clue how much I'll get for my PS2 w/HDD but I didn't open the PS2 Rockband so I'll get full $ back for that.

[Doug5984]

My sister was getting some form of Guitar hero, or rock band for her husband for the ps2. She said that everyone at the stores told her that Rock Band for the PS2 would not work with a guitar hero guitar, I told her I thought the guitar would work- but to be safe she just got him Guitar Hero 3 and a used ps2 guitar....

So am I understanding now that the guitar hero guitars WILL work on the ps2 for Rock Band? If that is the case I'm sort of pissed at the people she talked to, I know he would like the songs on Rock Band much more...

[Ironhead]

I scored Rock Band for the 360. Don't know if I will be able to play it for a couple of days as I have a big company exam on Thursday. I have a feeling if I start playing I am not going to stop. But come Thursday night...it's on.

[sooner333]

I got it for the 360 today as well from my parents. I'm trying to catch up on learning how to do the guitar as well as the drums since I never really did the Guitar Hero thing.

[MizzouRah]

You'd think they'd mention that somewhere in the documentation, but I'm pretty sure they don't.

I don't think they do.. I had the neighborhood kid come up and show me. :)

I can't stop playing it and if anyone wants a code that unlocks all of the songs, let me know.. the same kid gave me that to. ;)

[SirFozzie]

You can't save if you use the unlock code, so don't do that on your careers.

BTW, Rockaway Beach on medium Guitar=Teh Pain.

[MizzouRah]

You can't save if you use the unlock code, so don't do that on your careers.

BTW, Rockaway Beach on medium Guitar=Teh Pain.

Yeah, I just do that to play some different songs. "Blackened" by Metallica on the drums is brutal.

[Chubby]

Returned Rockband PS2
Traded in my PS2, XBOX, 2 PS2 guitars, old sports games

Got PS3 Rockband bundle.

Netted the bundle plus 2 cents on a gift card :D I couldn't have made it come out any closer if I had tried!

[Chubby]

Is there some trick to getting it to see the mic? It's plugged in but it doesn't "see" it...

[Doug5984]

Is there some trick to getting it to see the mic? It's plugged in but it doesn't "see" it...

have to have a controller on as well, since there are no buttons on the mic, it uses the controller that is turned on.

[CamEdwards]

Yep. make sure you have a controller plugged in and turned on. You control the mic with the 360 controller.

[Chubby]

I have a PS3 :) I usually have the drums, guitar, and mic plugged in but it won't see the mic no matter where I put it plugged in.

[Buccaneer]

I have a PS3 :) I usually have the drums, guitar, and mic plugged in but it won't see the mic no matter where I put it plugged in.

Deal with it.




:)

[Chubby]

Deal with it.




:)

Cowboy up :)

[Ironhead]

Officially hooked. Been playing for about 3 hours. Going back for more.

[MizzouRah]

I've been playing since I got home from work.. about 6 hours ago.. only stopping to eat. :)

Neighbors came over and have been playing for the last hour or so, they are going out tomorrow to pick it up if they can find it because I told them it's going to be a LONG time before I let it out of the house.

Greatest console game I've ever played.. yes I can say this after only 4 days.

[BigDawg]

The family's BAND has now hit the max fans at medium, have to step it up and try hard now. got to get more fans, we have the Jet, PR Firm, sound guy, body guards but still cant play the BIG arenas yet till we get our fan base up to like 500K.

[sabotai]

I need to stay out of this thread.

[Raiders Army]

The AAR songs are cool to play.

[MizzouRah]

Got my GH 3 wireless guitar today, the FULL MizzouRah family band is now complete... MUHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

[Vince]

The family's BAND has now hit the max fans at medium, have to step it up and try hard now. got to get more fans, we have the Jet, PR Firm, sound guy, body guards but still cant play the BIG arenas yet till we get our fan base up to like 500K.

Seeing this, and Josh posting earlier to do different tours, or something, leads me to believe that the PS2 version is vastly different than the 360 version. Either that, or you need to do the Tour mode with a full band.

In my solo career, I don't have any arenas, I don't have any fans, I don't unlock anything but more songs. It isn't even as "complex" as the original Guitar Hero's "move to another venue" system -- it seems that the venues we play are random, and that all I am doing is unlocking more songs. Am I missing something?

[Anthony]

i'm in the same boat as you vince. i think there's more of a "career" mode when you do the multiplayer "Band Tour". the solo tour is very bland and vanilla. it sucks cuz it sounds like Band Tour is where most of the fun is.

[CraigSca]

Got this at 2pm today and stopped playing at 10pm (with a break for dinner). Having a blast with my 9 yr old on lead guitar, me on drums and the wife and 6 year old on vocals. Haven't laughed this hard in a good long time. Really a lot of fun!

[Voo]

My brother bought me a mic stand for christmas, and now Im doing a band mode solo medium on the mic and expert on guitar. Im having a blast it really creates a new challenge.

[Ironhead]

I think the guitar that came with the game might be broken. I can't seem to go into overdrive even when my energy bar is more than half full. No matter how much I raise the neck of the guitar up nothing happens. I do hear what sounds like a small piece of something rattling in the body of the guitar. Anyone else run into this?

[Chubby]

I think the guitar that came with the game might be broken. I can't seem to go into overdrive even when my energy bar is more than half full. No matter how much I raise the neck of the guitar up nothing happens. I do hear what sounds like a small piece of something rattling in the body of the guitar. Anyone else run into this?

Oh yes. It was by accident that I figured out I had to hit the "select" button to get overdrive to kick in.

[SackAttack]

Seeing this, and Josh posting earlier to do different tours, or something, leads me to believe that the PS2 version is vastly different than the 360 version. Either that, or you need to do the Tour mode with a full band.

In my solo career, I don't have any arenas, I don't have any fans, I don't unlock anything but more songs. It isn't even as "complex" as the original Guitar Hero's "move to another venue" system -- it seems that the venues we play are random, and that all I am doing is unlocking more songs. Am I missing something?

i'm in the same boat as you vince. i think there's more of a "career" mode when you do the multiplayer "Band Tour". the solo tour is very bland and vanilla. it sucks cuz it sounds like Band Tour is where most of the fun is.

You don't have to do World Band Tour with a 'full' band. My brother and I have progressed through it with one of us on drums and the other on guitar. It's a multiplayer component, but it's not one you can currently enjoy on Xbox Live/PlayStation Network. I think everybody hopes that changes in the near future.

The PS2 version is gimped compared to its big brothers, but I don't know if the gimping includes the loss of World Band Tour.

Solo tour on the 360 is pretty straightforward. Unlock songs (which you can then play in quickplay, practice and online). Heck, about half the songs that are playable in solo mode appear to be 'unlockable' through the Rio de Janeiro bonus tour. I think there were only 30 or so of the 58 that are available on easy complete when I finished the drum solo tour. I suspect that number grows with the addition of DLC, since that gets put into the Rio tour, but even so.

[Vince]

I haven't had a chance to really mess with it, but it seems that PS2 is in fact gimped that much. I have no idea what the Rio de Janeiro bonus tour is.

The solo modes are definitely different between each other, however. On Drums, Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi is available immediately in your first set of songs, while on guitar it's not available until like the 6th or 7th set.

[BigDawg]

Got my GH 3 wireless guitar today, the FULL MizzouRah family band is now complete... MUHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

What I was waiting for as well got a GH3 guitar since the rockband one doesnt work on GH3. But now I ran into the problem with the original RB Guitar wont strum down just up. Took this back to best buy today for a replacement but they were all out of 360 editions so I have to come back so the only up strum one has now become the bass.

The Hayes clan band....

Craig ( me ) 44 on drums
Daughter 12 on vocals
Son 18 on bass
Son 16 on guitar

I like the fact any combo of 2-3-4 can pplay the tour, I havent tried solo yet but went online with the drums to challange but it seems everyone on drums wants to play on expert and they roast my nuts...LOL

this might not be a hint for everyone but I found several rum and cokes and I start playing much better on the drums. LOL

[BigDawg]

BTW anyone got the downloadable songs yet?

I am gona grab the sabbith block this weekend ( 3 songs I think )

[Alan T]

What I was waiting for as well got a GH3 guitar since the rockband one doesnt work on GH3. But now I ran into the problem with the original RB Guitar wont strum down just up. Took this back to best buy today for a replacement but they were all out of 360 editions so I have to come back so the only up strum one has now become the bass.

The Hayes clan band....

Craig ( me ) 44 on drums
Daughter 12 on vocals
Son 18 on bass
Son 16 on guitar

I like the fact any combo of 2-3-4 can pplay the tour, I havent tried solo yet but went online with the drums to challange but it seems everyone on drums wants to play on expert and they roast my nuts...LOL

this might not be a hint for everyone but I found several rum and cokes and I start playing much better on the drums. LOL

Same thing happened to my guitar strummer where it gets stuck going down. I went to EA's support page for rock band, and it took about 5 minutes to get a replacement RMA'd to me via UPS. It is painless and really easy to do and I would recommend it for you too.

There are two options, you can do express delivery where it puts a $125.00 hold on your credit card and ships the replacement guitar to you in one business day (you have to return the broken one in 28 days to have the hold removed), or you can do the slower method of shipping your broken one back and they will then ship you a new one.

Pretty decent support

[SirFozzie]

Any one want to do a 360 Band tonight? I have all the songs, but want to get a band goin tonight for fun.

If so, I call one of the guitar folks :)

[Flasch186]

Same thing happened to my guitar strummer where it gets stuck going down. I went to EA's support page for rock band, and it took about 5 minutes to get a replacement RMA'd to me via UPS. It is painless and really easy to do and I would recommend it for you too.

There are two options, you can do express delivery where it puts a $125.00 hold on your credit card and ships the replacement guitar to you in one business day (you have to return the broken one in 28 days to have the hold removed), or you can do the slower method of shipping your broken one back and they will then ship you a new one.

Pretty decent support

im gonna have to do this as the guitar strummer is really bad going down. Almost feels like there is something in there pushing back against the strummer.

...and done. Easiest customer service Ive experienced in a long long time. Better than Bank of America who told me that they tore a check I deposited and therefore are taking the monies out of my account. I said, "you tore it, not me" and they basically said tough shit.

[Ironhead]

Any one want to do a 360 Band tonight? I have all the songs, but want to get a band goin tonight for fun.

If so, I call one of the guitar folks :)

I'm game but have only been playing the game for a couple of days. Don't blame me if I crash the band. :D

Gamertag is Ironhead34.

[Ironhead]

dola

The Falconers, with Starbuck on bass and me on drums, tore up New York tonight. To the time machiiiiiiiiiine!

[BigDawg]

Well tonight one of the pads on the drum quit working along with the down strum on the guitar, I am just gona package the whole thing back up in the box. Take it back to best buy and they will hand me a brand new game...well as soon as they get their next shipment in...LOL

I also grabed the Metallica and Black Sabbith download packages along with Juke Box hero and Joker/Theif... now I gona have to wait a week to play these new songs.

[BigDawg]

For those that would like pads for the drums....

http://rockbanddrumpads.com/

http://www.knowyourcode.com/Unrelated/rockband/images/stories/closeBlackAndColors200x150.jpg

I would also recomend this for the drummers out their....

http://www.zildjian.com/en-US/products/productDetail.ad2?catalogID=1031&typeID=0&productID=2160

Designed specifically for use with most electronic drumkits and features Zildjian's vibration dampening technology of maximum comfort and control.

http://www.zildjian.com/images/products/detailImage_2160.JPG

[spleen1015]

I think we get the picture.

[Flasch186]

im beginning to hate the plastic sound that my drum pads give off. I wonder if there is some ripoff $30 item that will get me a richer, deeper, less plastic-y sound.

[Raiders Army]

For those that would like pads for the drums....

http://rockbanddrumpads.com/

http://www.knowyourcode.com/Unrelated/rockband/images/stories/closeBlackAndColors200x150.jpg

I would also recomend this for the drummers out their....

http://www.zildjian.com/en-US/products/productDetail.ad2?catalogID=1031&typeID=0&productID=2160

Designed specifically for use with most electronic drumkits and features Zildjian's vibration dampening technology of maximum comfort and control.

http://www.zildjian.com/images/products/detailImage_2160.JPG

What?

[Raiders Army]

im beginning to hate the plastic sound that my drum pads give off. I wonder if there is some ripoff $30 item that will get me a richer, deeper, less plastic-y sound.

LOL

[Voo]

Well atleast the picture of the drumset taught me where to put my drumsticks.

[sterlingice]

im beginning to hate the plastic sound that my drum pads give off. I wonder if there is some ripoff $30 item that will get me a richer, deeper, less plastic-y sound.

Cheap, used drum set at a garage sale? ;)

SI

[ArlingtonColt]

FINALLY picked this one up last night... and now I fully understand all the hype. The drums are so fun to play and after awhile they really do hurt! It's more my foot than arms, but its all sore today :)

Made a band with my 2 roommates called Double Penetration (male and female)... Thinking about getting a mic stand so one of us can sing as well to make it a full band experience.

This game definately seems like it has more legs than the Guitar hero series did.

[hawk4669]

Made a band with my 2 roommates called Double Penetration (male and female)... Thinking about getting a mic stand so one of us can sing as well to make it a full band experience.

Dude...awesome. :D

[Raiders Army]

FINALLY picked this one up last night... and now I fully understand all the hype. The drums are so fun to play and after awhile they really do hurt! It's more my foot than arms, but its all sore today :)

Made a band with my 2 roommates called Double Penetration (male and female)... Thinking about getting a mic stand so one of us can sing as well to make it a full band experience.

This game definately seems like it has more legs than the Guitar hero series did.

Did you get a notice that you couldn't use that band name online? My drummer's name is Richard Weed and I always get a notice that I can't use that name online.

[ArlingtonColt]

We haven't tried to go online with it... where we were had no internet.

[Coffee Warlord]

Whammy Ass & the Breeding Pine Trees took to the stage over New Years, and rocked out.

[Flasch186]

I have a PS3 and am looking to play MP with someone. I havnt done this before so Im not quite sure how (do I add you as a friend outside the game first?). Lemme know if someone would like to play (id like to play drums but can play guitar too, well I could sing too I guess.)

[Ironhead]

Moved up to hard mode on guitar tonight and boy did it suck. After about 2 or 3 hours in practice mode I am slowly getting the hang of moving my hand to use the 5th fret. Still having issues with my hand "getting lost" though. Can't even fathom playing guitar on expert.

Anyone have pictures of their in game characters, band logos or art they have created?

[kingnebwsu]

Stupid question (for a bigtime gamer like myself) but (on 360) is the guitar from Guitar Hero compatible with Rock Band and vice versa? I know what a big deal it was that they wouldn't release a patch to make the PS3 version compatible with both games. If I'm gonna shell out the big bucks to get Rock Band, I'd at least like to rent Guitar Hero (if for no other reason than to play the Halo theme :))

I have a bunch of Target giftcards from the last year and I may have enough to get it with those...and if I do, I blame this thread :p

[SirFozzie]

360: GH3 Guitar works with RB: RB guitar does NOT work with GH.
PS3: No compatibility.

[kingnebwsu]

Lame!

Thanks for the info though.

[Ironhead]

A Pink Floyd shirt I made for my drummer.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/Aaenuel/IMG_0102.jpg

[Ironhead]

dola

One of the bass guitars that I made for Starbuck:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/Aaenuel/IMG_0107.jpg

[Doug5984]

Well my drum pedal snapped in half the other night, did the EA support thing and have a new one on the way, my guitar never worked right- i had 2 guitar hero guitars I've been using so I got them to send me a new guitar also...

The drum pedal really pisses me off, it was never abused or anything- the person who plays drums 95% of the time is my roommates girlfriend who is a small girl... It's just not the same with out anyone playing drums.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Picked up the PS2 bundle at Gamestop tonight, as my son spent his Christmas cash from his grandparents.

Finally got a rare gaming upper hand on him too, as my first turn at the drums (on Easy) was completed while he had been flunking out around 30%. Regained a few of the cool points I had lost in the various incarnations of GH ;)