ROCK BAND® EXPANDS ITS ALTERNATIVE COLLECTION WITH TRACKS FROM R.E.M. AND THE OFFSPRING; RICHARD THOMPSON MAKES ROCK BAND DEBUT
Cambridge, Mass. â March 6, 2009 - Harmonix and MTV Games today announced the addition of four new tracks to the Rock Band® Music Store catalogue of downloadable content including songs from alternative rockers R.E.M. and The Offspring. In addition, British guitarist and songwriter Richard Thompson makes his Rock Band debut.
Known as one of the pioneers of the alternative rock movement, R.E.M. makes its second appearance in the Rock Band music library with next weekâs release of the bandâs mainstream breakthrough hit âLosing My Religionâ from the 1991 album Out Of Time. R.E.M.âs track âOrange Crushâ was featured on the original Rock Band soundtrack.
The Offspring deliver two tracks this week including âAll I Wantâ featured on their 1997 album Ixnay on the Hombre and âThe Kids Arenât Alrightâ from the bandâs 1998 album Americana. Rock Band fans now have access to a total of seven songs from The Offspring in the Rock Band music library.
Rock guitarist and critically acclaimed songwriter Richard Thompson makes his Rock Band debut with the addition of âThe Way That It Showsâ to the Rock Band Music Store. The song was released on Thompsonâs 1994 album Mirror Blue. Thompsonâs distinct sound and celebrated career earned him numerous awards including Rolling Stoneâs 2003 Top 20 Guitarists of All-Time and the 2006 BBC Lifetime Achievement Award.
Release Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360®)
Thursday, March 12, 2009 (PlayStation®Store)
** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **
Tracks:
The Offspring âAll I Wantâ
The Offspring âThe Kids Aren't Alrightâ
R.E.M. âLosing My Religionâ
Richard Thompson âThe Way That It Showsâ
(All tracks are original master recordings)
Price: $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
Locations: Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360
PlayStation®Network
Music Videos:
Click on the track below to view the songâs corresponding music video. Videos can be embedded on your site.
The Offspring âAll I Wantâ
The Offspring âThe Kids Aren't All Rightâ
R.E.M. âLosing My Religionâ
Website Links:
For more information, please visit:
Rock Band Website
The Offspring Official Website
R.E.M Official Website
Richard Thompson Official Website
Rock Band 2 is available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems and Wii⢠home videogame console from Nintendo.
There are now more than 570 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to satisfy music fansâ and gamers' voracious appetite for rock with more than 36 million paid downloads since its launch on November 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.
Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are rated "T" for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB.
For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.