Gearfuse

Hmmm. LEGO Rock Band. Seems like a good idea, given the plethora of other LEGO-based video games available, right? Maybe. Joystiq spent some quality hands-on time with the new Rock Band title and had this to say about it:

It’s tempting to just take a review of Rock Band 2 and stick it under here and label it Lego Rock Band, because that’s pretty much what it is, albeit with a few family-friendly tweaks. They’re mostly aesthetic, and Harmonix is working with Lego, who has approval over all of the songs in the game, to make sure it’s an experience that little kids can enjoy with adults. It might be a bit jarring to see Suzie, age 6, gyrating along to “Sex Bomb,” for instance.

Makes sense. A kid-friendly game with kid-friendly tunes. The problem is, Harmonix is getting lazy. Instead of just spewing out new titles with different themes and different songs, I’d like to see it innovate and bring all new features and devices to its popular franchise. Add a keyboard player to Rock Band and then I’ll get excited about your upcoming games.

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PSP owners have been patient long enough! Finally, a Rock Band title is coming to the console in the form of Rock Band Unplugged. Were you hoping this would include exclusive MTV Unplugged versions of songs by your favorite 1990s bands? Hopefully not, ’cause that’s just not the case with Harmonix’s latest rocker game. But judging by the tracklist, not all hope is lost. Hit the jump to view the list in full.
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Holy smokes! For $200, you could buy a real guitar!

Look at this thing. Fake humbucker pickup, tremolo bridge, rosewood fretboard – this thing is over the top. It also apparently will get really good battery life and will work with both Rock Band and Guitar Hero titles. Hey, to each his own but I’m comfortable with the basic Fender Strat controller that comes with RB2.

Thank god! I was worried that Harmonix wouldn’t be releasing a Rickenbacker-replica along with the upcoming The Beatles: Rock Band but my prayers have been answered! Check out these super sweet replicas of old 1960s axes. There’s the classic Gretsch Duo-Jet (my uncle has one of these) and a Rickenbacker 325 (I used to own a 330), both of which will certainly put you in a very Harrison mood. Are you as psyched as I am for this release? Please say yes.

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Better clear your pipes, folks. When Rock Band: The Beatles drops in September, you’ll apparently be able to sing with multiple people and create harmonies like those on Hey Jude. This would no doubt take the Rock Band franchise to the next level. Keep your fingers crossed.

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“The British are coming! The British are coming!”

Those words are running through every Best Buy employee’s mind right now as they prepare both mentally and physically for the upcoming release of The Beatles: Rock Band. Thank goodness their label, Apple Corps, decided to go with the Rock Band series and not Guitar Hero. Better interface, better equipment and better songs.

The best part about this release? You’ll be able to pick up a $250 set that features instruments modeled after The Beatles’ very own, including Paul McCartney’s signature Hofner bass. The worst part about this release? You’ll have to wait until September 9th to purchase it. Damn!

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Well let’s see. If you were to purchase this scarf, I’d assume three things about you:

• 1. You play Guitar Hero
• 2. You’re a fan of Muse
• 3. It’s cold where you live

If any of those apply to you, chances are you’re already searching high and low for a way to purchase this beautiful handmade scarf. Featuring the actual patterns from the Muse song “Knights of Cydonia,” this scarf is guaranteed to warm any gamer up. And by guaranteed, I really mean you can use it to strangle your little brother when he kicks your ass in Expert mode.

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According to Billboard, the ever-popular Rock Band is due to get “as many as 5000″ new tracks this year via downloadable content. The report comes as I completed “…And Justice For All” on Expert at 100% last night. Harmonix has already released over 500 songs for the Rock Band series, putting it way above the number of tracks Guitar Hero: World Tour offers. But for Harmonix to meet the 5000 mark, it would need to release over 90 tracks each week for the rest of the year.

I don’t really see that happening, but hey, 2000 new songs is perfectly OK with me. Just stop charging $1.99 for a fuckin’ song!

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You’ve probably been looking for that first-party Rock Band stage kit for your Wednesday night parties. I’m here to tell you not to bother with that overpriced junk. Instructables member Marc92 shows you how to make your own fog machine and light show that’s perfect for real and fake bands alike.

However, unlike your typical fog machines which spit out fog from a single point, Marc92 has built a pipe system that emits fog from a much larger area. Mounted on the pipe are red and blue LEDs which gives the fog its patriotic appearance. Gwar would be pleased.

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Originally people thought that the Beatles would make an appearance in the latest Rock Band game. It turns out that MTV Networks announced a deal with the Beatles’ record label, Apple Corps, to create a Beatles-branded music video game. The same developers behind Rock Band will be making the game, apart from its already successful Rock Band franchise.

“The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of The Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out,” Sir Paul McCartney said.

I’m thinking something like Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, except without the suck. It’s even been approved by Yoko Ono Lennon, herself. So, you know it’s going to be good.
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