I’m not ashamed to admit I was totally a teen of the grunge era, and there was a time in my life where Eddie Vedder was a god and Pearl Jam’s music was the most intense and alive I’ve ever heard. I don’t connect to their current work as much as I once did, but I have some pretty fond memories of the first five albums. Of course, Ten was their post popular album, and the rerelease is getting some major support from Rock Band 2 (along with MTV, MTV2, VH1 and VH 1 Classic).
Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron will come to Live for a Game with Fame session on Friday, March 27th at 7pm ET. If you want to join in and play Rock Band 2 with him, you can send a friend request to Gamertag “Pearl Jam GWF” (you’ll need a Gold account, though). It’s also a good idea to show up a little early, so I’d recommend being there at 6:30pm ET if you want a shot. I love the fact that events like this happen on Live — it makes a cool service even better for a gamer like me. Gonna check it out?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ROCK BAND® TEAMS UP WITH MTV, MTV2 , VH1 AND VH1 CLASSIC TO CELEBRATE PEARL JAM’S RE-RELEASE OF DEBUT ALBUM TEN, COMING TO STORES MARCH 24, 2009
Rock Band and Microsoft to Host Game with Fame session with Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron on Friday, March 27th at 7pm ET
New York, NY, March 18, 2009 – In honor of the re-release of Pearl Jam’s debut album Ten on Epic/Legacy Recordings, in retail stores nationwide day-in-date with its launch in the Rock Band® Music Store, MTV, MTV2, VH1, and VH1 Classic and Rock Band® are teaming up to roll out a two-week long lineup of content that celebrates the band, its successes and the band’s debut in the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content. Exclusive features include the VH1 Classic premiere of “Pearl Jam Ten Revisited,” including the never before seen version of the music video “Jeremy,” and covers of Pearl Jam classics by current artists on MTV2.
Premiering on Saturday, March 21st at 2:30pm ET/PT on VH1 Classic, “Pearl Jam Ten Revisited” takes you on a half-hour look back at Pearl Jam’s seminal debut album, Ten that brought alternative rock to the mainstream by showcasing videos for “Even Flow,” “Alive,” “Porch” (from the band’s Unplugged performance), and the television premiere of the uncensored version of “Jeremy.” With the help of archival footage and interviews from the band the viewer will be taken back to the early 90’s to reflect on the album’s importance to alternative music. VH1 will air the special “Pearl Jam Ten Revisited” on March 25th at 11:00am ET/PT.
Pearl Jam fans also won’t want to miss MTV2’s “Rock the Deuce” beginning on Monday, March 16th through Thursday, March 19th at 8pm ET/PT and on Saturday, March 21st at 1am ET/PT when the network airs cover performances of Pearl Jam classics by artists including:*Aaron Lewis of Staind – “Black”
* William Beckett of The Academy Is… – “Jeremy”
*Hoobastank – “Evenflow,” “Alive” and “Oceans”
*P.O.S. – “Why Go”In addition, MTV, VH1 and VH1 Classic will celebrate Pearl Jam through the end of the month by airing blocks of other Pearl Jam music videos and feature videos and editorial on MTV.com, MTV2.com and VH1.com, as well as VH1 Classic. VH1.com and VH1Classic.com will also be celebrating the re-release of Ten by streaming the full album the week of release.
As previously announced, Ten, the debut album that sold 12 million copies and introduced the world to Pearl Jam (http://www.pearljam.com) in 1991, will also be offered for download in the Rock Band Music Store day-and-date with the re-issue of the album in stores on March 24, 2009. Ten, on Epic/Legacy Recordings, will be reissued in four new and expanded editions and will serve as the launch of a planned two-year catalogue re-release campaign leading up to the band’s 20th anniversary in 2011. Fans can preorder the re-issue of Ten now at www.PearlJam.com.
In addition, Rock Band partner Microsoft will be hosting Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron for a Game with Fame session on Friday, March 27th at 7pm ET. Fans with an Xbox LIVE® Gold membership can play Rock Band 2 with Matt Cameron by sending a friend request to Gamertag “Pearl Jam GWF” and be online half an hour before at 6:30pm ET.
Pearl Jam released Ten on August 27, 1991. The album reached #2 on the Billboard 200 chart, sold over 12 million copies and became one of the cultural touchstones of the 1990s. Songs such as “Alive,” “Black,” “Even Flow” and “Jeremy” became staples of rock radio, and still make frequent appearances on the band’s ever-changing concert set lists.
For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com. Rock Band is published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix. EA is the exclusive distribution partner for Rock Band.
##
About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company’s portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.
About MTV Games
MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.
About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit: www.harmonixmusic.com .
About MTV2
Now reaching over 77 million homes, MTV2 possesses the highest concentration of young males in all of television, and reflects the way our audience consumes media. MTV2 is the premier destination for the hottest mix of music programming, exclusive access to bands and groundbreaking music as well as a compelling line-up of music, irreverent lifestyle and cross-platform programming.
About VH1
VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.
About VH1 Classic
Launched in May 2000, VH1 Classic is a 24-hour network that present videos, concerts and music specials all day long, featuring the best of rock, soul and pop artists from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, including The Beatles, The Stones, Tina Turner, Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, The Who, Stevie Wonder, The Police, Madonna and many more. Learn more at VH1Classic.com.
© 2009 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band, Rock Band 2 and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., an MTV Networks company. Rock Band and Rock Band 2 developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. MTV: Music Television, MTV Games and all related titles and logos are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
