Like to rock, but...can't? It's time for you to ROCK BAND!
This Monday morning 2/4 I (Trent) am going to be hosting what I THINK will be the first-ever instance of playing Rock Band live on the radio, from 8-9am on WFMU.org.
Pseudo-live performances from The Rolling Stones!! The Killers!!! The Yeah Yeah Yeahs!!!!!! F'n Radiohead!!!!!! Boston!!!! Hear their Biggest Hits played 23rd-century style from Your Very Favorite Radio Station, WFMU.
Virtual auditions will be held Thursday 1/31 at 9pm and Saturday 2/2 at 6pm - more info after the jump.
If you're not familiar with Rock Band, it's a video game that comes with a fake Fender Stratocaster, a Roland-built drum kit, and microphone that you plug into your Xbox 360 (or PS3 or Mac or PC). You play the "instruments" along with popular songs - everything from Radiohead to Boston to the Stones - alone or with friends. Kind of like Guitar Hero but more.
I'll be playing live with listeners over the internet, and the resulting audio will go out over the air (the webstream, at least). For example, I'll play drums, and two listeners will play bass and guitar from their homes, and listeners will hear us rocking virtually. If you still don't get it, there are tons of Youtubes out there.
If you want to play live with us, you gotta AUDITION!! (and have an Xbox 360)
AUDITION DATES:
Thursday 1/31, 9 - 10pm EST
Saturday 2/2, 6 - 7pm EST
To register for an audition slot during that time, just send me an email: [email protected]. I'll let you know when to sign on to Xbox live. I'll choose a song and invite you to play at your designated time - you choose the difficulty level. If you show up and play well, you'll get a slot to play live on WFMU this Monday, 8-9am! First come first served. Positions are available for remote play on guitar, drums, and bass. If you're interested in singing, COOL, but you have to come to the studio to sing since Rock Band doesn't support vocal transmission over Xbox Live.
If you're not a Rock Band person yet, it's pretty easy to learn. Singing is arguably the easiest part (it's karaoke style), and I do need some help in that area - the singing has to be done live in the studio as the Xbox isn't smart enough to transmit vocals over the internet in real time. If you're interested in coming in to the studio to sing, let me know.
The song list is pretty big, you're bound to find something you're into: check it!
FAQ
But I have the PS3 / PC / Mac version!!! Don't you care about me??
Yes but I am not a rich man and only own ONE console of the current generation. If you'd like to bring your PS3 / Mac / PC setup in to let more people in on the game by all means let me know.
What are you looking for in the audition?
Mostly that you'll show up on time and nail the solo. If you can't do better than 85%, try harder!! You gotta sound GOOD to be on WFMU.
What songs will we be playing in the audition / on the air?
I don't know yet. Something good. No Coheed and Cambria, if that's what you're asking.
What if you run out of time slots?
Then we'll have to do it again soon...I'll put ya on the waiting list.
What do I get for playing?
A sense of intense accomplishment, my eternal adoration, and maybe some prizes. We'll see.
What if I don't like to play video games?
Lucky you! You get to kick back and enjoy "Black Hole Sun" played to perfection (I'm calling guitar on that one)
Any other questions, let me know!!! [email protected]. ROCK!
rock is easy
Posted by: bryce | January 28, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Own it for the 360 and I've spent sooooo much money own downloading songs already. Unfortunately my downstrum stopped working on my guitar so I shipped it off to EA today so they can fix it. My g/f and I play so much Rock Band that I went and bought Guitar Hero III just so I'd still have a guitar while the other one is gone. Yeah, it is a sickness.
Posted by: Gavin | January 29, 2008 at 03:26 AM
Great idea Trent! I will be there! Still trying to master "Enter Sandman" though...
Posted by: Station Manager Ken | January 29, 2008 at 09:49 AM
I think "Enter Sandman" took me about 2 hours working my way through the solo from 80% speed all the way up through full speed. But MAN when you get through it it's like...I just played "Enter Sandman" but for real. Can't wait!!!
Posted by: | January 29, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Back in the day, if you were good enough, you might convince the groupies to suck you off in the green room. How does that work with the video game? Is there some special port that you stick your axe into? Seems kind of, I don't know, a little off the mark eh?
Clever Pomo idea for a radio spot though.
Posted by: K. | January 29, 2008 at 10:28 AM
K, the groupies are still there, they just grew up on Mario instead of Whitesnake. No special port needed.
Posted by: Trent | January 29, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Will the show be archived? Love the idea, wish I could take part but have to work :(
Would totally play sabotage which is much more difficult than you think at the higher difficulty levels. Yes I need to get a life...
Posted by: nh_dave | January 30, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Dave, that's too bad you can't make it, but I understand...8am is a little bit of a weird time, isn't it? The show will definitely be archived. Hope you can make it out to the NEXT session!
Posted by: Trent | January 30, 2008 at 11:19 AM
I was at a party recently where I had to endure the pain of drunks playing Rock Band. They could not advance the game very far because the drunkenness had ravaged the voice and tunefulness of our friend Brian. He was stuck on Aerosmith's version of "Train Kept a'Rollin'." Although I'm very much video-game-averse, I was pushed to the limit and demanded the microphone just so I wouldn't hafta hear that song 50 more times. To my surprise, I hit near 90% accuracy, and I really suck at "singing." I then discovered that the game is very easy to trick and kinda ridiculously fun if you do a deep, flat Calvin Johnson impression. Beat Happening shoulda covered "Don't Fear the Reaper." My Calvin voice got 97%!
Posted by: DJ Rick | January 30, 2008 at 02:14 PM