James William Roy launches The James Rocket

[Markleford]

Once upon a time, in the days before Rock Band 3, when the RBN was new and the possibilities (and revenue) of the Rhythm Game Medium seemed endless, a bold duo joined the vanguard of pioneering musicians and offered up two indie rock songs attributed to the artist James William Roy: "Paper Valentines" and "Shiny Dark Bar".

(Go ahead, look 'em up, we'll wait... What, on PS3? No, sorry. Wii? Nope, sorry again. Pro Drums under RB3? Ermm, well, not really... Wait! Where are you all going? I'm not finished!)

But after that glorious RBN launch honeymoon of March 4 2010, no more JRW tracks were to be charted. Instead, efforts were turned to releasing an actual album based on the collaboration between James and producer/author Markleford Friedman (that's me!), eventually under the official band name The James Rocket (which was originally going to be the title of the solo album).

Ten tracks and two years later, POOF! That album has now finally been released. It's called "Launch", and you can stream it from here for free:

http://www.TheJamesRocket.com/

There are some free mp3 downloads to be found there, too. Got links to the Tweeties and the Fastbucks as well, if that's your thing.

So what do we want from you? Just your ears. Give it a listen and see if you dig anything.

Oh, and one more thing: if you want any of these *new* tracks on RBN (or Rock Band Blitz, for that matter! It's RBN-compatible!), drop us a line through your preferred medium (even this thread) with your vote. Naturally, for those who remember the tune from back in the day, we've had an exclusive version of "Paper Valentines" with keyboards sketched out for eventual RBN consumption for quite a while now, and charting the lush harmonies would make it oh-so-sweet!

Thanks for the good times and continued support: no foolin', this band would never have grown without the RBN community! It's just a handful of you fans compared to more popular bands (and believe me, *most* bands are more popular than us!), but we really appreciate it.

- m

[grumblevolcano]

"Paper Valentines" was also on the RBN Megamix.

[MagicMurderBag7]

I loved Paper Valentines and kept meaning to pick up Shiny Dark Bar but then I got pro drums and feel in love with playing keys so I still haven't gotten it.

A(n) RB3 version of Paper Valentines with keys will be bought soooo hard and I will need to pick up the album and see what else I'd want from it.

Cool stuff.

[Oscarvarium]

I've been repeatedly half-tempted to grab Paper Valentines but the lack of pro drums is a bit of an issue for me. I'd definitely pick up (and playtest!) a RB3 version.

[MagicMurderBag7]

I've been repeatedly half-tempted to grab Paper Valentines but the lack of pro drums is a bit of an issue for me. I'd definitely pick up (and playtest!) a RB3 version.

I think it has pro drums by default.

[Oscarvarium]

I think it has pro drums by default.

"By default"? The song was released in January 2010 and pro drums authoring was first mentioned some time around June 2010, and he said they don't have pro drums in the OP.

[MagicMurderBag7]

"By default"? The song was released in January 2010 and pro drums authoring was first mentioned some time around June 2010, and he said they don't have pro drums in the OP.

I mean that it has no toms anyway so it's auto pro conversion is correct. I think it was listed in the "songs with correct pro drums" thread that popped up after RB3 came out.

Maybe I'm remembering wrong though.

[DragoonXD]

I mean that it has no toms anyway so it's auto pro conversion is correct. I think it was listed in the "songs with correct pro drums" thread that popped up after RB3 came out.

Maybe I'm remembering wrong though.

You're correct. There are actually quite a few songs like this. Do You Feel Like Breaking Up? is one of the few that's still fun without any toms.

And I will buy anymore songs you release, loved Paper Valentines and Shiny Dark Bar.

[jawillroy]

Yep: Paper Valentines is on the list. Thanks, guys!

[Oscarvarium]

Ah, didn't realise it was one of those songs. What do you have against toms? D: