The Internets are buzzing about a rumor that Harmonix may be taking a page from the Activision book of one band games.
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Console Monster writes: "Another day means another Xbox Live Marketplace update. Today sees the release of new Incredible Hulk content, a music video and Rock Band songs. Here is the full Xbox Live Marketplace update for Tuesday 9th September 2008:

Name: The Incredible Hulk Multiplayer DLC Pack
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions
Description: This multiplayer expansion pack for The Incredible Hulk adds additional online, two-player missions that will test the speed, strength, and skill of even the biggest Super Hero fan. The missions take place in one of 5 large arenas, each one a dynamic and fully destructible environment packed with non-stop action and ruthless enemies.

Name: Tiesto & Friends - Dance 4 Life (Long) Music Video
Price: 200 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions..."
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Luke Plunkett of Kotaku says,

"It's on Craigslist, so who knows how legitimate this is, but we definitely like the feel of it. Seems Mark Burnett (pictured), the man behind everything from Survivor to The Apprentice to The Contender, might be working with MTV on a reality TV program based around Rock Band 2. Centred around competition between bands of four, it'll give you the chance to not only get on TV and win the "Ultimate Rock Band Experience", but subsequently slide into a creative and moral abyss, as the cocaine, cheap women and long tours drive a wedge between you and your bandmates, and you grow to loathe everyone and everything in your life you once held dear. So, yeah, awesome! Only catch is you've got to be over 18, and be based in the LA/SoCal area."
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It's here, it's here! It's finally here! Well, it'll shortly be here at least. Mad Catz has announced that the first in their line of third-party Rock Band instrument alternatives is shipping today, and bassists of the world rejoice. The Fender Precision Bass guitar is an extremely sexy piece of fake guitar-shaped plastic, featuring all the standard guitar features, including solo keys, overdrive mode, and a unique whammy feature integrated into the volume control to give the bass an authentic feel. Probably the best feature of the Fender Precision is the split strum bar, which allows for two-finger plucking in classic bass style. The only way they could capture the bass experience any better would be to include someone to (severely edited) the bassist in between sets.
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Rock Band Set to Ship for the PS3, PS2 and Wii in UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria and Luxembourg. Rock Band for the PS3 and PS2 and Wii will ship to retail and will be available in the UK the week of September 8th, in France the week of September 15th, in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria and Luxembourg the week of September 22nd and in Spain the week commencing September 29th.
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EA has announced a £20 price cut to the Xbox 360 Rock Band Instruments in the UK.

The Rock Band Instrument Edition will now retail at £109.99, rather than £129.99. Of course you'll still have to buy the game separately, but hey, £20 off is better than nothing. Unless you buy online of course, where it's been priced at £99.99 across multiple retailers for a while.

EA also revealed that PS3, PS2 and Wii versions of Rock Band will be shipping this week across the UK. About time too.
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HMXHenry, a dev on the Rock Band Forums says,

"The DLC for the week of Sept 9th will be a 3 pack from the metal band All That Remains. The track listing and pricing is below.

ALL THAT REMAINS 3 PACK - $2.99 (240 Microsoft Points)

THIS CALLING - $.99 (80 Microsoft Points)

CHIRON $.99 (80 Microsoft Points)

TWO WEEKS $.99 (80 Microsoft Points)

Two Weeks and Chiron are exclusive to Rock Band for one week before their new album Overcome is released on September 16th.

Each track will be available for a one month special offer of $.99 (80 Microsoft Points) per track or $2.99 (240 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for the three-pack.

These tracks will be up on the Xbox Live Marketplace on Tuesday, and the PlayStation Network Store on Thursday.

All tracks are masters."
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AC/DC fans left underwhelmed by developer Harmonix's choice of "Let There be Rock" for Rock Band 2's setlist may have other options soon enough. Originally posted on Darkest of the Hillside Thickets singer Toren Atkinson's blog, one screenshot was intended to showcase the in-game presence of the costumed, H.P. Lovecraft-themed band's recently released "Shhh....". What caught the attention of eagle-eyed Rock Band addicts, however, was the song immediately below that one: "Shoot to Thrill" from AC/DC's legendary 1991 show at Castle Donington.
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Harmonix today released the exporter on the marketplace to transport your Rock Band tracks over to Rock Band 2. Harmonix originally reported it needing 6 GBs of space but the actual numbers according to live members using the exported places it at 1.52 GB.

You will be able to delete songs you do not want after transfer as well!
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It's Tuesday and, unlike last week's cock-up on Harmonix's part, this time the promised PAX-flavoured downloadable tracks for Rock Band have actually arrived on the Xbox Live Marketplace as expected.
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If you are like 1UP, one of the things you were most excited about was when Harmonix announced Nevermind from Nirvana as a full downloadable ablum on Rock Band. There's just one problem, Harmonix never said such a thing.

In a day and age where news is reported in split second blog posts, a lot of times things get taken out of context. Rock Band 2 was on display at a certain social gathering tonight, and Harmonix Community Manager Sean Baptiste was there. According to Baptiste, they never specifically announced Nevermind would be available, it was simply given as an example of classic albums that could appear on the service.
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Screen Play Reports:

"Move over Shuffleboard, cruise ship passengers are now entertaining themselves during long voyages with Rock Band.

Passengers on P&O Cruises' Pacific Dawn and Pacific Sun cruise ships are encouraged to form groups and go head-to-head in Rock Band competitions against other guests, with the best rockers competing in "Battle of the Bands" showdown at the end of the trip.

P&O says it has introduced Rock Band "as part of its unique and exciting passenger experience" and the fact that the highly anticipated music game is still not yet available in Australia gives it added appeal."
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Harmonix and MTV Games announced today a very special set of downloadable content to celebrate the three day Penny Arcade Expo. The "PAX 2008 Collection", launching on September 2, 2008, contains tracks from celebrated nerd-folk artist Jonathan Coulton, nerdcore rapper MC Frontalot, and lovecraftian doomsayers The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets - all of whom will be performing at the gaming fan festival August 27th-29th.

Release Date:
Tuesday, September 2, 2008 (Xbox Live Marketplace for Xbox 360)
Thursday, September 4, 2008 (PlayStation Store)

Tracks:
Jonathan Coulton
"Skullcrusher Mountain"
MC Frontalot
"Livin' on the Corner of Dude and Catastrophe"
Darkest of the Hillside Thickets
"Shhh…."

Price:
.99¢ (80 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$2.99 (240 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for 3 pack
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Console Monster writes: "The last Xbox Live Marketplace update for August is upon us and it's not exactly going out on a high. Today's new content consists of an episode of the "Jace Hall Show" and Locksley Rock Band tracks (who?). Here is the full Marketplace update for Sunday 31st August 2008:

Name: The Jace Hall Show - Episode 13 - SEASON 1 FINALE!
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Name: Rock Band - Locksley Pack [Track Pack]
Price: 240 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Name: Rock Band - Locksley "She Does" [Track]
Price: 80 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions..."
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Are Harmonix and MTV Games set to release a PAX-themed track pack for Rock Band next week? We're hearing that they are, with all the proceeds being donated to charity.
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Taking the stage and stepping in this week for the delayed Rush album, Moving Pictures, is American rock 'n' roll band, Locksley. They're certainly not as well known (at the moment) as Rush, but check out the videos after the break before automatically passing judgment on the DLC replacement band.
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Bad news, everyone! This week's Rock Band DLC offering -- Rush's Moving Pictures album -- didn't come out today as planned. In a post on the forums, Harmonix's Sean Baptiste said, "There is a technical difficulty that is being worked out. I'll alert you when it is all clear." Joystiq wonders if that has anything to do with figuring out how to tell singers they can't wail on "YYZ." It's okay, please stop crying.
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Console Monster writes: "With the release of Castle Crashers tomorrow, many of you will be saving your Microsoft Points but thankfully there is some free content to download. Here is the full update for Tuesday 26th August 2008:

Name: Team Fortress 2 - Meet the Sniper Trailer
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Name: TNA iMPACT! Head to Head Trailer #2
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Name: Tiger 09 Bay Hill Theme
Price: 150 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions..."
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The people who make rock band sent Matt this email.

Welcome to the Rock Band Community's first zine issue!
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Engadget Reports: "While there's certainly plenty of off-the-shelf options out there for folks dissatisfied by the stock Rock Band drum kit, those looking to really dial things up to eleven may want to follow the lead of this modder from EDrums.info, who created a mesh head drum set with some wood, some new components, and plenty of skill. As you can see in the multi-page how-to linked below, however, this isn't exactly a one-day project (for mere mortals, at least), and there's no shortage of opportunities for complete disaster once you start tearing the original drum kit apart. If you persevere though, you'll not only be able to impress you friends with your Rock Band skills, but your actual drumming skills as well, as it can also be turned into a real drum kit with the addition of a drum module."
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