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GDC 10: GREEN DAY: ROCK BAND PERFORMED

Harmonix rips up the stage at GDC.
by Levi Buchanan

March 11, 2010 - Tonight at the Game Developers Conference, Harmonix raised the curtain on Green Day: Rock Band. Billed as the next band-specific release and not a full-fledged Rock Band sequel (Rock Band 3 was properly announced this week), Green Day: Rock Band features all three members of the band: vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool.

Green Day: Rock Band features models of the band in their familiar outfits. Armstrong, for example, hits the mic with his iconic black button-up shirt and black eyeliner. The digital Armstrong's mouth movements are very similar to his style. Truly, his in-game model looks remarkably like the actual vocalist, which shouldn't be a surprise considering how faithfully Harmonix recreated the Fab Four in Beatles Rock Band.

Though the developer announced that it is including the "critical song list" for the band, Harmonix performed just six tracks from Green Day: Rock Band tonight:

"Brain Stew"/"Jaded" (played together)
"Hitchin' a Ride"
"Wake Me Up When September Ends"
"Boulevard of Broken Dreams"
"American Idiot"

Are you an American Idiot?

Because Green Day often harmonizes, Green Day: Rock Band supports two singers with split vocal lines for sharing the lyrics. During the performances, this appeared to work without flaw. In addition to featuring well-made models of Green Day, the in-game trio performed on a concert stage adorned with features from tours, such as the heart-shaped hand-grenade from the cover of the "American Idiot" album.

At this point, though, value is a major part of the question. MTV confirmed again that the track list in Green Day: Rock Band is fully exportable on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 (not Wii), so you can play any of the tracks in this disc with other editions of Rock Band (unlike The Beatles: Rock Band). So, without additional details of the song list, one must ask if this disc is essentially a $60 track pack. Green Day is a great band, but they are not the Beatles. If you only get a library of the best Green Day tracks, will you still want to play all of them? Let's say there are 50 songs on the disc and you only like 20. That's a lot of extra music just hanging out on the far end of the equation.

Green Day: Rock Band drops into stores this summer. Look for more details, including a full set list, in the near future on IGN.

THE STORY BEHIND AMERICAN IDIOT

AmericanIdiotBroadway.com, the Official Website for the upcoming Broadway version of American Idiot posted a new video featuring Billie Joe and director Michael Mayer: HERE.

ROCKSTAR FOR A DAY

MUHAMMAD Azfar Zulkifli was treated like a rock star on Saturday.

First, he was picked up from a hotel in Orchardin the evening for a 30-minute spin round town in a red Ferrari.

Then, the 12-year-old was dropped off at Hard Rock Cafe.

At 9.30pm, he strapped on his electric guitar and took to the stage with local band Enigma. They played two Green Day songs - Viva La Gloria and East Jesus Nowhere.

All this was made possible by the Make-A-Wish Foundation here. It aims to fulfil the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.

He was referred to it by the Children's Cancer Foundation in November 2009. The year before, he had been diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma.
[Full article at Straits Times]

USA CHARACTER APPROVED

USA Network honored Green Day this year at their 'Character Approved Awards', Watch two short clips of Billie Joe: HERE.

ECHO AWARDS

Congratulations to Green Day who took home the Best Rock / Alternative / Heavy Metal International at the German Echo Awards: HERE.

BAY AREA REPORTER

Read the Bay Area Reporter's recent interview with Tre Cool: HERE.

MIKE DIRNT'S RUDYS CAN'T FAIL CAFE

'AMERICAN IDIOT' CAST PARTIES DOWN IN NEW YORK

Members of the cast of the new musical "American Idiot" were all smiles last night at Vanity Fair and USA Network's second annual Character Approved Awards in New York, where they performed songs from the show. The musical, based on the best-selling album by the alt-rock band Green Day, is moving to Broadway after completing a twice-extended, sold-out run at California's Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

"We're so excited," cast member Mary Farber said about the move. "I've never been a part of anything like this."

The young cast is a mix of Broadway newcomers and veterans, but those at the party all expressed love for the spirit behind the show, their castmates, and Green Day.

"There's something so special about it," said actor Michael Esper. "It's a special group of people. There's so much heart in the show. Everyone believes in it so much and leaves it all on the stage every single time."

Christina Sajous, a cast member who proudly declares her status as a native New Yorker, said, "I can't wait to see where it goes. It has a lot of amazing elements, a lot of truth, a lot of heart, and I think it appeals to a wide audience."

Actor Stark Sands revealed that he's a fan of Green Day's music and insisted that the show stays true to the album's message. "Even if I wasn't in this," he said, "I'd be so excited to go see it."

"American Idiot" begins previews at the St. James Theatre on March 24 and opens April 20.

[More at Backstage.com]

NEW GIGS ADDED TO HOLLAND AND VENICE

Green Day in Holland @ Pinkpop Festival - Saturday May 29th 2010 - On Sale Now @ http://www.pinkpop.nl

and

Green Day in Venice @ Jammin Festival - Sunday July 4th 2010 - On Sale February 24 @ http://www.ticketone.it

BILLIE JOE TO HONOUR THE STOOGES

Billie Joe is set to honour The Stooges as they are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! The 25th annual induction ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 15 in New York City and will air live on Fuse TV.