andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

PARTY ON!

In early 2006 Harmonix split ways with the Guitar Hero series and went off with MTV to create Rock Band leaving Activision to contract Neversoft to re-build the game that Harmonix arguably perfected. This move marked the day that split the plastic instrument community right down the middle.

While some people saw no problem with the direction that Guitar Hero went in there is a hardcore contingency of people that would like nothing more than to see Guitar Hero vanish into obscurity and let Harmonix’s Rock Band franchise rule supreme. It has been said that ever since Rock Band was released Guitar Hero has been scrambling to avoid doing just that by “ripping off” Rock Band any chance they get. Well if that’s the case then on September 1st, 2009 they finally caught up. READ MORE »

Multi-Platinum Alternative rock band Linkin Park have just released their much-anticipated track for Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen. The single “New Divide” will serve as the official theme song for the movie which is slated for silver screen release on June 24th. Working intimately with composers Steve Jablonsky and Hans Zimmer for the project, Linkin Park contributed their hard-driving, alternative rock sensibility to the film’s score in addition to the title track. “New Divide,” is now available exclusively on iTunes. Be sure to download your copy today!

Still haven’t had your fix of Linkin Park? Enter now to win a custom Fender Squier guitar from Linkin Park, fully decked out with official artwork from the newTransformers movie: Revenge Of The Fallen!

Enter now. Contest ends July 5th.

Static-X has just released their heaviest album in years!
 
Cult of Static features more of the hard-charging industrial metal their legions of fans have come to expect from the California killing machine.
 
To help celebrate the release and their current tour, Static-X and AndPop.com are giving one fan a chance to win a special Wayne Static signature model ESP guitar.
 
How cool is that?! READ MORE »

Peak Products, a gaming peripheral company specializing in instrument gaming controllers, has just announced the release of Starpex, the first full size, wood, PS2/PS3 guitar controller that strives to look and feel like a real guitar. The controller is designed for the popular Guitar Hero and Rock Band games.

The Starpex has an instrument-quality, high-gloss lacquered finish with a hardwood body, neck and headstock. The Starpex features a unique button that provides the fast and accurate access to Star Power and Overdrive modes in Guitar Hero and Rock Band. In addition, the Starpex has an optimized whammy car and an enhanced strum bar to help maximize scoring, according to a press release from Park Products.

The Starpex also features a high-quality ten fret button design. Ten fret buttons mean that players have the option of using traditionally positioned fret button, or can choose to use the solo button high up on the neck of the guitar controller.

The Starpex will be available in Circuit City and various other retailers for about $180 by late August.