It seems like just a few months ago when we complimented Harmonix audio director Eric Brosious for his company’s stance against artist exclusive deals. Back in those halcyon days of August, Brosious said of the possibility of bands signing exclusive deals with Rock Band, “We prefer not to sign exclusive deals with artists because while it seems like the competitive ‘business’ thing to do, in the long run, it’s really not good for anyone. We think we should be working to get more music out to more people.” Well, August was a long time ago, and when Angus Young calls, you pick up the phone.
Apparently, artist-exclusive deals “aren’t good for anyone” when they’re being signed by your competitor, because guess who’s doing a deal with AC/DC and Wal-Mart?
MTV plans to announce on Tuesday that it has made a deal with the band and its label, Columbia Records, to create an AC/DC version of the channel’s popular Rock Band video game that will be sold in the United States only at Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and the Wal-Mart Web site (walmart.com).
The release of the video game AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack will give MTV a prominent role in the partnership between the rock group and the retailer to promote AC/DC’s forthcoming album, “Black Ice.” Wal-Mart will create a special area in each of its stores to display the new album and the new game, as well as the band’s other CDs, DVDs and T-shirts and other licensed clothing…
“If you want to be a physical band, you better make an alliance with a strong physical retailer,” said Steve Barnett, chairman of Columbia Records. “It’s a great way to sell the new album, the catalog, the game, merchandise and DVDs.” MTV and Wal-Mart are exploring the idea of setting up temporary shops to sell the game and the album in Manhattan and Los Angeles, where the retailer has no stores….
“They rock hard, and that still works for our audience,” said Van Toffler, the president of the MTV Networks’ Music and Logo Group. “It comes down to getting really great marketing, because Wal-Mart is so meaningful in terms of sales if they get behind something.”
I can only imagine how hip a temporary Wal-Mart location in Manhattan would be. Still, it’s a little disappointing to see the change in attitude over at Harmonix, although one might suspect–especially since the article fails to quote anyone from the company itself (including our pal Brosious)–that the decision might have been out of their hands. With the Guitar Hero franchise aggressively pursuing exclusive deals, it’s not hard to try to keep pace, especially when the act is as plastic guitar in the basement-worthy as AC/DC.
this is awesome.
the question is, will rock band release a fake bagpipes to play the solo of “it’s a long way to the top (if you want to rock and roll)”, or will they puss out and have it be on the guitar?
@Chris Molanphy: if i were you, i’d just be happy that ac/dc is relevant again, and try to stop coming off as another one of those old fart blog aficionados. we know the facts. ac/dc hasn’t truly been relevant with new audiences (save at sporting events and strip clubs) since the Live album, nearly two decades ago. argue that stiff upper lip mattered. it didn’t. your “modern rock radio” argument doesn’t hold water. we’re discussing a band whose presence spans four decades. to claim that the view of the modern rock chart wouldn’t have shifted in scope somewhat is extremely myopic. in that time, college football switched up its ranking system, mtv stopped playing music videos and overextended itself worse than the u.s. armed forces, the internet was invented, and emo went from being affiliated with rites of spring and saetia to being affiliated with hawthorne heights and jack’s mannequin. your logic is fatally porous, and despite my longwinded reply and probable short-sighted flaws in discourse, i think i state my point that you should just be happy that ac/dc is back, irrespective as to the reasons why.
Does it say “Exclusive” anywhere in that press release? Just because they release a track pack game doesn’t mean you won’t see any AC/DC in Guitar Hero.
Guitar Hero 3 had a Foo Fighters track pack months ago, and now they feature songs (actually, the same song) in both new games.
You may still see some AC/DC in both games, you probably just won’t see the same tracks.
Long-time reader, first time poster–
I think the Harmonix folks meant “no exclusives” as in “We won’t
insist that if a band has a song in Rock Band, they can’t have songs
in Guitar Hero,” which was an issue at some point.
@doublewhiskycokenoice: Wait, AC/DC is “relevant” again? News to me.
I do agree with Chris’s point on ITunes. If there was a band who should allow downloads of singles (or better yet, put out a Greatest Hits), it’s AC/DC.
Is there really anybody out there screaming for digital versions of their magnum opuses like “Ballbreaker” and “Blow Up Your Video”?
Nah.
Times Square Wal-Mart would make me chuckle. A Williamsburg Wal-Mart, however, is something I would LOVE to see.
I’m not a big fan of Teh Angus these days:
• Wal-Mart exclusives for both their new album and the RB2 game.
• Continued refusal to allow buck-a-song downloads, on iTunes or anywhere else. (Yeah, I’m an Apple fanboy, but still: really?)
• Their new single inexplicably on the Modern Rock chart–the format that used to exist to not play bands like AC/DC.
Okay, that last one isn’t their “fault,” but when I hear WRXP New York play “Rock N’ Roll Train,” it just rubs in the other two points.
i think their new single is shit. utter shit. is my logic flawed?