C3X World Tour: The Encore!
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SURPRISE!
We just don’t know when to quit. As C3X was preparing for the tour finale, we realized we weren’t quite ready to throw in the towel. We had some songs we’d planned for earlier dates but didn’t finish in time, and then we had other songs that never found a good date for release, and then there were other songs that, gosh darnit, we just wanted to give our wonderful audience So here we are, with one last stop on this wild, wonderful roller coaster that has been C3X! And where else to host this show but…
…Your Back Yard!
For this Labor Day Weekend, we’re bringing the show to your place, where you can sit back, crack open a cold one and enjoy the C3X Encore in the best style possible: your own!
We start our show with a special treat from Vrey Is Grey, and we’ll let him take it from here…
Bet you weren’t expecting this, were you?!
Yep, here it is; in the true Rock Band Network spirit, here are three songs made by yours truly, off of my 2019 album Aspirations, making my first ever pack done entirely by me! I released this album some time back in June. Go listen to it!
I was recently charting a couple songs from the album, but then I saw the C3X finale dates and I thought, “Why not add a couple of these charts that are in the works to one of these dates?” But this pack almost wasn’t released. I thought of adding the title track “Aspirations” as a last minute addition. These songs were actually submitted a day after the deadline! (Editor’s note: Don’t worry, we forgave him.)
Vrey Is Grey – Free
Authored by Vrey Is Grey
The pack starts off with the fourth track off the album.
This song can be described as heavenly. From the emotional strings, to the instrumentation, to the lyrics of the song. Speaking of lyrics, this song is the only one in the pack to have vocals, and even then, it’s just five phrases. But even with that, this song doesn’t have a lot of breathing in between those five phrases, as they were not sung by a human… kind of.
You see, I wanted to record myself singing this song and have it vocoded, but alas, I was kind of… “vocal shy.” So what I did, was I spliced clips of childrens’ author and poet Michael Rosen (A.K.A. the “click nice” guy). I edited the clips in Sony Vegas so that he speaks the lyrics, then I vocoded it to a file of the main melody, and so they combined.
As for the instruments, they’re really not much of a hassle. Guitar waits for a bit, then plays beautiful arpeggios at the one chorus in the song, stops, and then plays grace note-like chords. Drums plays this basic beat on the chorus, stops, then plays hand drums. Bass is pretty barebones, playing a basic line throughout the chorus, and then waiting until the last chord of the song to play a single note.
Keys, however, while they only play whole note chords, these chords carry the song, playing strong and powerful strings. These chords, especially during the chorus, usually consist of 4-note chords on pro keys, and it’s kind of difficult to switch hand positioning, especially on pro.
Vrey Is Grey – Aspirations
Authored by Vrey Is Grey
This is the titular title track off the album. This song actually dates back the furthest and was planned to be on an album before the album’s conception. This song here is basically a sentimental, yet hopeful pop-ish song for the whole band to play (unless you’re a vocalist haha).
Keys just plays chords throughout the song, but then changes it up a bit with a bridge consisting of a solo.
Since there is no guitar in the song, the guitar part plays a vibraphone instead. The “guitar” part isn’t that difficult, but kinda fun to play.Bass only plays some accompaniment, playing the notes in the chords and not much else.
Drums is where it gets interesting. The drum part is kind of frantic, consisting of breakbeat-esque patterns with some embellishments, and very tough and strenuous fills that require the right hand quickly positioning across pads to play the toms, along with a few difficult fast kick patterns. This is the only part in the pack to be rated 6 dots.
On top of that, this song has a Big Rock Ending! I likely would’ve never added this into the song if I wasn’t aware of it in Rock Band. Enjoy!
Vrey Is Grey – The End
Authored by Vrey Is Grey
This is the eleventh and final track off the album, coming immediately after the title track “Aspirations”.
This song takes a drastic turn from the somber, yet cheerful vibe of the previous track, to this incredibly melancholic solo piano piece. There’s a reason for that, and that reason being is that I was in a pretty bad spot at the time of making this piece. I tried to get it as dissonant, as melancholic, and as alienated as possible, and I think I succeeded.
There’s not really that much in terms of difficulty, but I still wanted to chart this thing anyway.
Unfortunately, that’s all I have to show for you today. If you enjoyed those tunes, I do plan to chart the entire album someday if any of you are interested!
I’m very grateful that I could make one last contibution to this tour for C3X! I’d really appreciate it if you downloaded these customs and played them in celebration (especially “Aspirations” on drums, just a recommendation)!
We now move on to a collection of singles contributed not only by some of C3X’s most prolific authors, but also by some authors appearing in C3X for the very first time!
Lenny Kravitz – Always on the Run
Authored by FujiSkunk
With his 1989 debut Let Love Rule, Lenny Kravitz exploded on the scene with a unique blend of classic and modern style that mixed equal parts of late ’60s psychedelia and late ’80s bombast. His 1991 follow-up, Mama Said, proved he was no fluke, and the sort-of title track “Always on the Run”, known by many as “Mama Said”, saw him team up with the legendary Slash for a healthy slice of good ol’ fashioned guitar funk. Guitar players, take note: Don’t get too complacent or Slash’s blistering solo will toss you right off the stage!
Frank Black – Headache
Authored by MrPrezident
Originally written as an existential companion piece to the Pixies’ “Where is My Mind”, the deliriously catchy “Headache” features a bassline that continuously ascends the register, as to apply pressure and strain, culminating in a chorus that illustrates pop music’s most mellifluous migraine.
Clutch – Spacegrass
Authored by MrPrezident
T-MINUS: WHENEVER IT FEELS RIGHT!
BABYMETAL – Elevator Girl
Authored by FUGGNUTZ with ghostbyob
Since forming in 2010 with “graduates” of J-pop school-girl group Sakura Gakuin, BABYMETAL has wowed Japanese audiences with their brand of “kawaii metal”. In 2014, they turned into a worldwide sensation, thanks to their self-titled album that even saw its way onto the American Billboard Top 200 chart, one of the few Japanese releases ever to do so. Five years later, the band is still creating music the whole world enjoys, with “Elevator Girl” released in advance of their appearance at England’s Glastonbury Festival, the first Japanese band to appear there, as well as in advance of their first arena concert in the U.S., at Los Angeles’s The Forum. Guitar, bass and venue were authored by ghostbyob.
Sleater-Kinney – One More Hour
Authored by Kamotch
Back in the 90’s, Sleater-Kinney participated in an interview conducted by the magazine Spin. Despite the interviewer not asking a single question about it, somehow the published article ended up focusing heavily on bandmates Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein’s personal romantic relationship. At the time, neither of them had come out to their parents as bi, so they were furious with the magazine. This incident, along with various other factors, would lead to the couple breaking up. Despite the fact that they were no longer romantically involved, they continued to make music together. Carrie Brownstein had made claims that the entirety of the album Dig Me Out is either about her or Corin Tucker’s future husband Lance Bangs. This song in particular is about their breakup. The chorus features Corin Tucker’s mourning “I needed it!” in reference to their relationship, with Carrie Brownstein offering consolation with her repeated “I know”s. It’s a great breakup song because it features both members of the relationship!
Toad the Wet Sprocket – Walk on the Ocean
Authored by grubextrapolate with Atruejedi and Buster66
Here we have Toad the Wet Sprocket, with custom authors Atruejedi and Buster66 making their C3X debut! The band’s third studio album, fear, was the first to become a commercial success, eventually being certified Platinum and reaching #49 in the Billboard Top 200. “Walk on the Ocean” was the second single released from this album and has always my favourite of the two. A great mix of folky guitar, mandolin, and accordion with some lovely harmonies in the chorus. Singer Glen Phillips occasionally pops up to perform the song at John Mayer concerts!
Walk the Moon – Quesadilla
Authored by CUTstudi0s
“Quesadilla” is the eclectic introductory track to Walk the Moon’s self-titled major label debut, on RCA Records. This track is the perfect intro to Walk the Moon’s music if you’ve never heard them before: a quirky, fun-loving indie beat that’ll surely get you on your feet. Full of vibrant synthesizers, a danceable drum/bass line, and surf rock-esque guitar riffs, topped off with shy yet powerful vocals from all four members, what says summer better than Walk the Moon’s “Quesadilla”? (No, that’s not a euphemism.)
There are many highlights on this track, but I’ll start with drums, played by Sean Waugaman. You’ll get a lot of variety and challenge on this track (typical of Sean’s drumming as a whole), from pounding tom work, to disco beats, to clicking a rhythm on the snare rim. The sheer amount of drumming on this track will leave some breathless, but it’s a fun kind of pain! (That’s the masochist in me speaking, of course. You’ll probably have fun regardless of skill.)
Next up, keys, played by lead singer Nicholas Petricca. After an insanely fast intro trill, you’ll get a break to rest your hand before diving into.. even MORE insanity, but with this insanity, it gets way more insane. It’ll take many… MANY hours of practice to get this chart played right. Especially on Pro Keys, where the pre-chorus key riffs are an absolute shock when playing with someone who doesn’t know the song, or is playing with one hand… or both! But, during the choruses, it’s pretty standard synth stuff, which’ll be easy enough.
Guitar, played by Eli Maiman, pretty much challenges your strum bar’s capabilities, as he puts you through the wringer from the intro chords, to the chorus chords… and oh BOY that climactic ending. Let’s just say, if you don’t… ahem, exercise regularly, then your hand probably won’t make it, as, even with lanes, the 32nd ascending rolls will be the final hurdle to conquer this track.
Now comes bass, played by Kevin Ray. There’s nothing TOO special on this bassline, but it’s still good fun to play, and has enough notes both to keep you on your toes and tap your toes at the same time.
Finally, vocals: lead singer Nicholas Petricca’s voice is the cherry on top to this fine piece of indie rock work, singing about a beachside escapade with his lover, probably enjoying a quesadilla alongside it (after all, we gotta explain the title SOMEHOW, right?) All the other members (Eli, Kevin, and Sean) sing harmonies on this track, and they do a great job at it, too. Expect your typical slides, as well as long and short notes.
Overall, this is a great recommendation for a party song, as “Quesadilla” (and Walk the Moon’s first major-label album in general) evoke a great party atmosphere that’ll get even the guests not playing instruments to sing and dance along. Best paired with real-life quesadillas.
Now we have a pair of songs from drummerockband, his first releases since December of last year. As drummer explains, “I went on a much needed Rock Band hiatus and now I am back and better than ever. I hope you enjoy my 2 songs this week for the C3X encore.”
Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved
Authored by drummerockband
This track features just vocals and keys, which makes it a more simpler Rock Band track. But this song has been all over the radio lately and it took me a while to warm up to it but I really enjoy it. For those who may be wondering (like I did originally), Lewis Capaldi IS in fact related to the Twelfth Doctor, Peter Capaldi, from Doctor Who. They are second cousins. I recently went to Fan Expo Canada where Peter Capaldi was at and at his Celebrity Q&A, a fan asked about this song. Peter says that Lewis had asked if he would be in his music video, and they aren’t that close really, but he said it sounded like fun and decided to be in it. Peter had no idea the song would be all over the billboard charts which I think is well deserved. I think it translates well to Rock Band, so give it a try!
Tiësto & Dzeko – Jackie Chan (ft. Preme & Post Malone)
Authored by drummerockband
Here’s a song that I never thought I would author. My brothers and cousins love this song. When they love a song this much, it isn’t long until they request me to author it, since we all play Rock Band together. Little did I know, I would eventually learn to like this song and I find it translates to Rock Band really well! The lyrics are a little silly in my opinion, but I think this will be a hit at your next party. I hope you enjoy my 2 songs this week and I also hope you look forward to what else I have in store next!
Mano Negra – Out of Time Man
Authored by TheSheepQueen
“Out of Time Man” is one of the songs that touch me the deepest. It has been here for most of my life and I never really cared about the lyrics until recently. Despite the pretty summer vibe, the song tells the story of a man you could consider a “loser” if you listen to what he says about himself. He’s late to a rendez-vous with a girl, presumably that he loves, and just makes a fool out of himself as time runs out. The song is pretty fun on all instruments, but not challenging. You may have also heard a cover of this on the very first episode of Breaking Bad.
Demi Lovato – On the Line (ft. Jonas Brothers)
Authored by GreenPanda12
So during the 2nd Leg of the Tour we had planned a Disney Pop Icons Pack that would feature this song plus some others, unfortunately that never came to light and this has been sitting on the back burner. Now it’s time to let this song shine with all these other amazing songs.
This song is a lot of fun to play on all the instruments, but my personal favourite instrument would be the vocals. Having the Jones Brothers be a part of the song as well makes for a great duet during the choruses. Hope you all enjoy the absolute gem.
Stone Temple Pilots – Meadow
Authored by Bansheeflyer
The departure of Scott Weiland and Chester Bennington left Stone Temple Pilots without a singer. The remaining members sought out a new singer, attracting over 15,000 applicants until they settled on Jeff Gutt, The X-Factor contestant and singer for nu-metal band Dry Cell. Many including myself have happily accepted Gutt as the new singer, sounding enough like Weiland to keep the STP sound going but also different enough to allow the band to grow differently. The band was back and with the Gutts to release a new album.
Stone Temple Pilots was the second self titled album, decidedly so as the band’s rebirth after Scott and Chester. “Meadow” was one of the many songs off the album that paid tribute to STP’s past vocalists, particularly Weiland. In fact, “Weiland” in Dutch means “meadow”.
The powerful chorus, a rocking bass, and upbeat tempo give the album more of a hard rock sound than the grunge STP’s been known for but “Meadow” still carries the signature sound that propelled the band into fame. It’s a lot of fun to play on every instrument, a great warmup song or for parties.
Grateful Dead – Shakedown Street
Authored by DoNotPassGo
“Shakedown Street” was released by the Grateful Dead as the title track on the album Shakedown Street in November 1978. It depicts the reasons for inner-city urban decay. The term “Shakedown Street” was later used colloquially to describe the area outside of Grateful Dead concerts where vendors sold their wares. “Shakedown Street” deviates from the Grateful Dead’s usual tonality, and shifts into a foray more closely translating to disco and softer rock (against many fans’ desires).
And now, for the Main Event of the C3X Encore, we present to you… Paramore!
Paramore – All I Wanted
Authored by GreenPanda12
Paramore – Never Let This Go
Authored by GreenPanda12
Paramore – Here We Go Again
Authored by GreenPanda12
Paramore – Looking Up
Authored by GreenPanda12
Paramore – Misguided Ghosts
Authored by GreenPanda12
Paramore – Never Let This Go
Authored by GreenPanda12
Paramore – Renegade
Authored by GreenPanda12
Paramore – Whoa
Authored by GreenPanda12
So this has been a long time coming, we do apologise deeply for not reviving this project sooner. A lot has happened during the time from our last release outside of customs that has caused for such a big delay, plus with the other projects we have involved ourselves in as well. Nonetheless we have a treat for you all today, for the encore we have fully finished up the remaining songs from Brand New Eyes, put together some songs from All We Know is Falling AND managed to get “Renegade” complete. With this done, that leaves the remainder of All We Know is Falling, After Laughter and In the Mourning before we can safely say that the project is finished. Again, apologised for the delay. Hope you enjoy.
And so, at long last, and this time for real, C3X’s first tour comes to an end. You guys ‘n’ gals have been great, and we appreciate each and everyone of you for supporting us on this tour. Thanks to all of you, from all of us!
Great work everyone.
Keeping the content Canadian since 2017!
SomeOldGuys: https://db.c3universe.com/songs/all/__user/someoldguys
MrPrezident: https://db.c3universe.com/songs/all/__user/MrPrezidentGreat! I am curious to see how you charted the guitar for Kravitz song. I used to play that song in a band and there are 2 guitars with intertwined riffs
” src=”/wp-content/uploads/invision_emoticons/default_SA_smile.gif” />Great! I am curious to see how you charted the guitar for Kravitz song. I used to play that song in a band and there are 2 guitars with intertwined riffs
” src=”/wp-content/uploads/invision_emoticons/default_SA_smile.gif” />There is the “left” and “right” guitar. For the intro and the choruses the chart mostly follows the “right” guitar. For the verses the chart mostly follows the “left” guitar. I decided that based on which seemed to stand out more in each part of the song.
Of course for the solo it’s all Slash!
It wouldn’t be C3X without one more great surprise!
Gonna definitely jam out to a few of these
” src=”/wp-content/uploads/invision_emoticons/default_SA_biggrin.gif” />Week after week there’s something for everyone. A HUGE thank you to everyone who’s contributed to the C3X Tour and giving everyone else here something to look forward to every week! Not to mention the songs that come out every single day.
This place is a God send for me and my group of friends, thanks for keeping us rocking after all these years!
:golfclap: 
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