MTV Games' Harmonix Music Systems, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), the leading developer of music-based games, announced an extraordinary partnership with Warner Bros. Records and Green Day today to bring the music of multi-platinum, Grammy Award winning Green Day, exclusively to Rock Band. Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool are the latest artists to bring songs from their impressive catalogue of hits to MTV's genre defining, multi-million selling Rock Band music video game platform that allows music fans and gamers to interact with and discover music like never before by choosing guitar, drums, vocals, or bass to start a band and rock the world.
The first selection of Green Day songs to arrive on Rock Band as downloadable content will be a three-pack of songs from their latest release, 21st Century Breakdown on July 7th including: 21 Guns, Know Your Enemy, East Jesus Nowhere. Additional Green Day songs and projects will be announced at a later date.
"Green Day not only rock hard, but are also epic storytellers," said Van Toffler, President, MTV Networks, Music, LOGO and Film. "Their message and their music have been the voice and sound of this generation. The addition of Green Day is a huge victory for MTV and our audience, and marks another landmark in our efforts to bring the best artists to Rock Band."
"We are excited to be working with MTV and Harmonix," said Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong. "They are leaders and visionaries in the world of music and video games, and Rock Band is a really cool way for fans of all ages to experience our music."
"Green Day's epic music and incredible live performances put them in a class by themselves. Bringing Green Day and Rock Band together unites two extremely powerful forces to create a great music game experience for their fans," said Tom Whalley, Chairman/CEO, Warner Bros. Records. "This unique deal with MTV creates a true partnership with Green Day, Reprise and Harmonix as we embark upon the next great era of Green Day."
"It's awesome that one of greatest bands on earth is coming to the Rock Band platform," said Paul DeGooyer, SVP, Electronic Games and Music, MTV. "Green Day is a longtime favorite of the Harmonix team, and we're very excited to provide a new way for their fans to connect with them, while at the same time helping put this incredible music in front of a whole new audience."
Selling nearly 50 million records worldwide, Green Day has won critical acclaim and numerous accolades including three Grammy Awards for Best Alternative Album for Dookie, Best Rock Album for American Idiot, and Record of the Year for their smash hit "Boulevard of Broken Dreams."
Green Day recently released their eighth studio album, 21st Century Breakdown, on Warner Music Group's Reprise Records. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, as well as on the Rock, Active Rock, and Alternative charts, fueled by the Alternative radio No. 1 single "Know Your Enemy." 21st Century Breakdown, which Rolling Stone has called "a rock opera in which the rock always comes first," is also a hit around the world topping the charts in 24 countries including the UK, Canada, and Japan.