Rock Band

Cambridge, Mass. – March 13, 2009 - Harmonix and MTV Games announced today it will add the “Get the Funk Out 01” 3-pack, which features music from Average White Band, Earth, Wind & Fire and James Brown, to the Rock Band® Music Store of downloadable content. Next week’s lineup also includes music from a variety of rock artists such as Against Me!, The New Pornographers and Papa Roach.

Next week’s 3-pack features some of the best funk songs released in the 1970s. “The Godfather of Soul” James Brown makes his Rock Band debut with “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - Pt 1.,” which was first released in 1970 as part one of a two-part single. The Grammy-award winning artists that make up Earth, Wind & Fire also make an appearance in the Rock Band Music Store for the first time with the popular single “Shining Star” featured on That’s the Way of the World (1975). Scottish funk group Average White Band rounds out the funk pack with the release of the title track “Pick Up the Pieces” from its 1974 album. All three tracks can be purchased together as a pack or individually.

Against Me! returns to the Rock Band Music Store next week with the release of their punk track “Thrash Unreal” from New Wave (2007). The band made its Rock Band debut in October 2008 with the hit track “Stop!”

Indie rockers The New Pornographers release two tracks to the Rock Band Music Store next week including “All the Things That Go to Make Heaven and Earth” from the band’s 2007 album Challengers and “Use It” featured on Twin Cinema (2005). The New Pornographers’ track “Electric Version” was featured on the original Rock Band soundtrack.

In addition, alternative-metal band Papa Roach will give Rock Band fans access to two new tracks. “Last Resort” from Infest (2000) and new single “Lifeline,” which is featured on their upcoming album Metamorphosis (March 24, 2009), will be available in the Rock Band Music Store next week. The band’s hit “Time Is Running Out” was released to the Rock Band music catalog in July 2008.

Release Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 (Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360®)

Thursday, March 19, 2009 (PlayStation®Store)

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **

Tracks:

Average White Band “Pick Up the Pieces”

Earth Wind & Fire “Shining Star”

James Brown “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - Pt 1”

Against Me! “Thrash Unreal”

The New Pornographers “All the Things That Go to Make Heaven and Earth”

The New Pornographers “Use It”

Papa Roach “Last Resort”

Papa Roach “Lifeline”

(All tracks are original master recordings)

Price: $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track

$5.49 (440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) “Get the Funk Out 01” pack

Locations: Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360

PlayStation®Network

Music Videos:

Click on the track below to view the song’s corresponding music video. Videos can be embedded on your site.

Against Me "Thrash Unreal"

New Pornographer "Use It"

Papa Roach ”Last Resort"

Website Links:

For more information, please visit:

Rock Band Website

Average White Band Official Website

Earth Wind and Fire Official Website

James-Brown Website

Against Me! Official Website

The New Pornographer Official Website

Papa Roach 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 580 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to satisfy music fans’ 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.