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DLC Week of 11/09: Joan Jett and Violent Femmes!

Embrace everything '80s this week with two great rock songs from Joan Jett and Violent Femmes!


Joan Jett released "Bad Reputation" as the opening track on her self-titled 1980 studio album. In the song Jett reacts to her tough personal experience with the music industry at the time, which is further narrated in the music video. "Bad Reputation" has become one of Jett’s best-known songs and has been featured in groundbreaking scenes from television shows and films. The power and confidence in this song has allowed many to connect and identify with Jett and her D.I.Y. spirit. Just like in Rock Band 2, drums will be the toughest, they switch up beats throughout the song while keeping the tempo fast and peppy. The guitar and bass will also need to keep up the speed with the fast chord and rhythm changes but they do get some breaks between Jett's vocal part, which also proves to be a challenge between the eighth note phrasing and key change.


Switching gears we turn to a band that defies genres - Violent Femmes, who released their single “Blister In The Sun” on their self-titled debut album in 1983. The album received substantial airplay on college and early alternative radio and eventually went platinum. “Blister In The Sun” opens with the famous bass riff that is also the main vocal and guitar melody of the song; accompanied by snare hits that probably everyone claps together with right on cue. The song structure alternates between verse and chorus with an instrumental break, where each part gets their mini solo, right before the last chorus and outro. Although it may sound like a breezy folk song, the driving main riff during the verses will keep your hands moving and the guitar and bass parts during the choruses are constantly moving as well.


Songs can be purchased individually for $1.99 each. The Rock Band Rivals Season 3 Spotlight Pass can be purchased for $13.49.


  • Joan Jett - "Bad Reputation" (Rewind)
  • Violent Femmes - "Blister In The Sun" (Part of the Rock Band Rivals Season 3 Spotlight Pass)


VIDEO: Rock Band 4 DLC Week of 11/09: Joan Jett and Violent Femmes!



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* Please note that this week’s DLC tracks will be available for purchase on Thursday, November 9th.