Electronic Arts and developer Harmonix (the developer recently purchased by MTV) are making preparations to rock.

Rock Band lets players take the role of a singer, guitarist (bass or regular), and drummer in an up-and-coming rock band. The kick here is that players will get to use guitar, drum, and microphone controllers to rock out either on one console or via Xbox Live 360 or the PlayStation network.

According to the press release heralding Rock Band, "The leading music publishers - EMI Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell Music - are allowing unrivaled access to their catalogs of incredible songs for use in Rock Band. The record labels - EMI Music, Hollywood Records, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group's Universal Music Enterprises and Warner Music Group's Rhino Entertainment - have agreed to supply master recordings by their artists for use in the game."

Oh, and the guy who's already played an early version reports that it kicks much ass.