Rock Band's TV spots
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Nov 27th 2007 at 10:21PM }
No sustained gameplay footage is shown in the spot above or the two after the break, which we guess means that EA and ad agency Wieden + Kennedy expect people to be "in the know" of what Rock Band is. We're not sure how great it was to have a commercial about a music game play off the humor of rock clichés like some kind of slacker-style Spinal Tap homage rather than show people playing the game. The "platform" is $170, it's going to require some parental coercion for many children to get the game and it might be good if parents were prepped by a commercial or two. Oh well, if EA is right, the game will be sold out anyway this holiday. Carry on. And is that Billy Idol doing the voice over at the end?
[Thanks Vlad]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SoxFan13 @ Nov 27th 2007 10:40PM
I saw one tonight with these same actors except they were in a plane. It was on Comedy Central during South Park reruns.
GoldenS1104 @ Nov 27th 2007 10:50PM
You missed the two videos posted after the break. The airplane ad is one of them.
Brucie B @ Nov 27th 2007 10:41PM
Grooovy
XanthouS @ Nov 27th 2007 10:43PM
Hah, those are cute commercials.
It's a shame there's no trace of gameplay footage though. I suppose word of mouth alone will be enough to fuel the game through the holidays, and commercials like these will have more staying power into '08 than 30 seconds of random gameplay.
Back to Foreplay/Long Time on Hard Drums >.
ThornedVenom @ Nov 27th 2007 11:07PM
Shame indeed, but with shots of the fake instruments, and the self-explanatory name of "Rock Band", perhaps it was a wise commercial decision to let people wonder about it a bit instead of shoving generic copypasta videogame ads in the viewer's face.
Not emphasizing on the skill, but on the attitude.
Joe @ Nov 27th 2007 10:45PM
I think the first one was better but they both are good though.
msh_hitman @ Nov 27th 2007 11:02PM
The Guitar Hero 3 ads work better all around, though they should be doing the commercials eventually with the animation from the cutscenes intermixed with some gameplay. They one did they did for GH2 with the animators from the Gorillaz was really good.
Capt. Castellanos @ Nov 27th 2007 11:06PM
i must say,
all of these commercials,
even without gameplay footage,
all have made me chuckle.
i like them.
just needs some gameplay footage at the end or something.
Secura @ Nov 27th 2007 11:08PM
I like how they misinform the public so that it looks like it's only on THE 360.
XanthouS @ Nov 27th 2007 11:18PM
Yeah, that's an unfortunate trait among multi-platform titles this generation.
Rock Band has been all Xbox at every turn, on the tours, on MTV, on television. They didn't even send our PS3 sets for magazines/websites to review. But the game's distributed by EA, who have been in bed with M$ for some time.
It's gone both ways though. I remember seeing a ton of Assassin's Creed commercials ending with the PS3 logo and having no mention of the 360.
Misinformation ftl. =\
Mr. G @ Nov 27th 2007 11:25PM
Microsoft probably paid for the ads to only mention the 360. Same for Sony on Assasin's Creed.
gonk @ Nov 27th 2007 11:27PM
yeah. it's the devs of the games that really lose out with that. they get cheaper commercials by sharing the costs, but will get less sales, which is kinda the point of going multiplatform
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 28th 2007 9:45AM
Just like PS2 last gen.
WASD John @ Nov 28th 2007 12:19AM
Doesn't matter as any decent gamer should know what games are available for their platform of choice whether that be console, or PC.
colin @ Nov 28th 2007 12:00AM
johnathan tran = WiNG
spamalot?
mccomber @ Nov 28th 2007 12:05AM
Considering I've already gotten a "we're getting the band together Saturday" email, I think the attitude of the commercials is perfect. I also love how in the second one a tech guy is setting up a monitor with a TV screen in it, great detail.
Chris @ Nov 28th 2007 10:03PM
Yep.. the tech setting up the stage monitor with a TV in it instead of a speaker was genius.
Yuccadude @ Nov 28th 2007 12:14AM
I'm more worried about getting a replacement Elite this holiday season, because no stores seem to have them in stock and my Premium 360 just died on me of E67 and one red quadrant. Hopefully I can get a new box by Monday, pending reciept of a refund by Best Buy.
samfish @ Nov 28th 2007 12:36AM
That commercial is about as effective as Sony's Crying Baby Doll commercials.
License to ill @ Nov 28th 2007 8:25AM
You're just mad because there's no wii Rock Band...
Yet!
Gavin @ Nov 28th 2007 3:06AM
Did anyone see the Rock Band Band special on VH1? (and no, I didn't type the word "Band" twice on accident)
http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/rock_band_band/
Dear sweet merciful lord, that was some serious crap.
Scaught @ Nov 28th 2007 7:23AM
I love Harmonix man. I love how they are bringing RAWK back to the masses!!!
baef @ Nov 28th 2007 8:28AM
Worse video I have ever seen.
baby sea tuna @ Nov 28th 2007 9:20AM
Huh...when they deleted that spam, this comment became homeless. Weird.
baef @ Nov 28th 2007 11:03AM
Yeah, I was talking about that guys post, I actually like these rock band spots. I like the last one the best.
Mojo @ Nov 28th 2007 9:51AM
I like these commercials a lot, but I REALLY love the animated one with the band on top of the bus playing Highway Star. That one is badass.
0ldb0y @ Nov 28th 2007 9:55AM
I went to Sheryl Crow concert last year. It was quite nice.
WizarDru @ Nov 28th 2007 1:19PM
Rock Band isn't a casual purchase, nor one that parents/grandparents are going to just buy on the name, generally. And they're not the targets of these ads, regardless. You won't see these running on Nickelodeon; VH1 or MTV, sure.
Anyone who's going to buy Rock Band already knows what they want, regardless. These ads are just meant to increase brand awareness and sell you on the fun aspect. For those who don't, this ad will intrigue them enough to go to one of the websites like xbox, ea or rockband.com to find out more.
refinedsugar @ Nov 28th 2007 12:45PM
Why don't you just do the windmill?
tothextreme @ Dec 1st 2007 10:24PM
Mr. T = hilarious
Lame 20-somethings pretending to be Spinal Tap = weaksauce
Leave the comedy to the professionals, MTV. Here's a wild idea - GET SPINAL TAP instead of trying to be as funny as they are. Worked for that car commercial!
Plue-sama @ Dec 5th 2007 11:49PM
Is that Coyote Shivers on drums?
Mike @ Dec 6th 2007 2:56AM
does anyone know where i can buy the black Pink Floyd shirt that the one kid is wearing?
Becky @ Dec 9th 2007 10:13AM
Can anyone tell me the name of the song and band playing at the end of the scissor kick commercial. I am drawing a blank. Thanks, Becky