One more bit of Band Hero news: Activision has also announced details about compatibility of previously released songs, and it sounds like the company is really aiming to make as many songs as possible compatible with as many games as possible.

Here’s how it works: When Band Hero is released, Guitar Hero 5 owners will be able to import 69 songs from GH5 into Band Hero for $5.99, 480 Microsoft Points, or 600 Wii Points. And at that point, 61 of Band Hero’s songs will also be available for import into Guitar Hero 5 for $4.99, 400 MS, or 500 Wii. (This is what Activision says, but I’m betting the 420 MS is a misprint that should actually be 400 MS, or $5.00. I’ll update when I get confirmation, as well as a complete list of the compatible songs. Confirmed!)

$5 or $6 may seem like a steep price for the convenience of not having to switch discs, but Activision appears to be planning to continue to offer compatibility from here on out; at least, this entry in the Import FAQ seems to indicate such: “This is a one time re-licensing fee. Once the songs are on your Hard Drive (or SD card) all future games that support this feature will automatically access them.”

Activision would also like you to know that all the songs previously available for import into Guitar Hero 5 are also available for importing into Band Hero — including “almost all” of World Tour and GH5′s DLC. I’ll let you know when I get more details about that, too. Because I care, that’s why.

Well, that’s a very nice surprise. Activision has revealed the final tunes on the Band Hero disc (and cart), and looking now at the whole lineup I can say that I’m officially excited. Sure, there’s a lot of syrupy pop, but a really good portion of the lineup is either excellently nostalgic or just plain excellent, pop or no.

I mean, come on: Everclear’s “Santa Monica” is one of those tunes that just worms its way into your brain and will not be dislodged without extreme measures. And I guarantee you that “Every Rose Has its Thorn” will be a hit at your next get-together of anyone who grew up in the ’80s. A drunken, sloppy, singalong hit. Mark my words.

The complete list of newly announced tracks is below, and you can go here for previously announced tunes.

3 Doors Down	When I’m Gone
Angels & Airwaves	The Adventure
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals	Steal My Kisses
Corinne Bailey Rae	Put Your Records On
Culture Club	Do You Really Want To Hurt Me
Duffy	Warwick Avenue
Everclear	Santa Monica

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If you’ve been as curious as I’ve been to see what Band Hero does differently from the Guitar Hero formula — and you own a 360 — today is your lucky day. Major Nelson reports that a three-song demo is now available on XBL.

Interestingly, one of the songs is a tune that hadn’t been announced yet:

Finger Eleven

Paralyzer

The other two we know: Katrina & The Waves’ “Walking on Sunshine” and Taylor Swift’s “Picture to Burn.” And I have to say, after a couple runs through all of them on guitar…I really like that Taylor Swift tune. To play, I mean. What’s wrong with me?

Anyway, the demo basically features party play, but also includes the karaoke-like Sing-Along mode, in which up to four players just sing along without any kind of score tracking, while the lyrics are displayed and highlighted in time, karaoke-style. (If you’re wondering, it does support the Lips wireless mic.)

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

[Read]

So, after some uncertainty about the fate of the newly redesigned drums for Band Hero, Activision has straightened things out. From an e-mail from Activision PR:

Band Hero launches on November 3rd as standalone software and as a full Band Kit (includes microphone, guitar and drum controllers) for the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2. At launch in the US, a new, redesigned drum controller will be available exclusively in the Wii Band Kit.  The new drum controller will be available for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 at a later date.

In Europe, all Band Kits will ship with new drums.

So there you have it.

My old stomping grounds 1UP (hi guys!) has posted a pair of in-depth previews for the console and DS versions of Band Hero. The previews include a couple nice conversations with the developers, as well as details about the game’s story mode, and a look at some new features not found in Guitar Hero.

One of my favorite quotes:

“I think it probably will continue on as a separate entity [from Guitar Hero], and the cool thing about that is that it gives us this avenue to be more experimental and try some stuff that’s further away from Guitar Hero,” explains Flores. “We’ve certainly done that with the set list and I could imagine doing that with maybe some of the more ‘out there’ features in the future.”

I like this idea of Band Hero being sort of a testing ground for more out-there game concepts. I think being able to work on a game like Guitar Hero, with the resources of Guitar Hero but without the baggage of the name, would be enormously freeing for the developers.

These new details, combined with the newly revealed tracks — you know, I’m actually starting to get legitimately excited for Band Hero. I find this surprising. But you know what? I’m going to go with it.

[Read: Console, DS]

Speaking of Band Hero, Activision just showed off the first video of Taylor Swift’s virtual alter ego performing in the game. So if pop-country is your thing, or if you just want to get the opportunity to interrupt her performance by proclaiming that Beyonce’s Rhythm Heaven commercial is the best game-related performance of all time — of all time! — then have a look at the video I’ve embedded after the break.

[YouTube]

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I have to say I haven’t been really psyched about Band Hero. The idea of a pop-focused, family-friendly music game is fine and all, but I was feeling like it wasn’t really for me. But now, looking at the huge list of new tracks Activision revealed yesterday, I’m getting a bit more interested. I wouldn’t go so far as to say the track list is superior to Guitar Hero 5′s — there’s a bit too much contemporary Top-40 in there for my tastes — but I will say that I’m seeing at least as many songs I’m interested in, sight-unseen, as in the GH5 catalog. I mean, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones alongside Big Country? “Mr. Roboto” and “Love is a Battlefield”? As a child of the ’80s, allow me to say: Sign me up!

The console and DS versions have two separate song lists, so we’ll start off with the console lineup and go from there. I’ll also post the previously-announced tracks after the break for your convenience. Because I am all about your convenience.

The Airborne Toxic Event	Gasoline
Big Country	In a Big Country
The Bravery	Believe
Cold War Kids	Hang Me Up To Dry
Counting Crows	Angels of the Silences
Dashboard Confessional	Hands Down
David Bowie	Let’s Dance

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