Rock Band 2: The Endless Setlist 2 FAQ
-by xXNinJaSH ([email protected])-

Version 1 (Last Updated 3/9/2009)


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*       INTRO FAQ       *
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Hey guys. I was thinking, since there was a Endless Setlist 1 guide, I think 
there needs to be a public Endless Setlist 2 guide. 

Please note that this idea originally came from "pvtGramps", I will be using 
a similar layout to the one he posted awhile ago, so some credit goes to him 
for giving me something to go by. 

Please send feedback to my E-Mail address.
([email protected])

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*TABLE OF CONTENTS*
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 GETTING PREPARED
3.0 THE ESL2
4.0 OUTRO
5.0 CREDITS
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*   INTRODUCTION  *
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1.0
This is a cool little guide if you are looking to pass and defeat the Endless 
Setlist 2. This guide will make it easier on your band, or you if you decide
to tackle the ESL2 by yourself. We will go through this guide assuming you
are with a band of more than one person, and if not, then just follow the 
guide anyway. We'll tackle down a good time frame, how to prepare for this 
event, and how to survive. We will divide the categories into their 
respective tiers. (Warm-up, Apprentice, Solic, etc.)

Before we tackle the ESL2, lets keep a few things in mind.
- Upon completing the ESL2, you will get icons. These icons are available
offline and online, and they are only tied to your Character, so if you
want one character to have multiple icons, have everyone pick the same
dude/dudette. Beating the ESL2 on Medium will get you an Inverted Icon,
Hard will yield you a Golden Icon, and Expert will of course give you
a Platinum Icon.

- Be warned that you only get the icon of the lower difficulty setting
played. Like if you have you on Expert and your friend on Hard, you
will only get the Golden Icons. It kind of is disappointing, but 
hey, thats the way it goes champ.

- The requirements of being able to get to the ESL2, is that you need 
900 Stars, you need to get all the vehicles, roadies, and I believe 
you need to get into the Hall of Fame. The ESL2 will be played in 
Shanghai, so please make sure you meet those requirements before you 
get happy go lucky and get your hopes crushed.

- If you happen to fail a song, it isn't the end of the world, 
because you can simply restart. Although it does ruin your chances 
of getting the Bladder of Steel Award. To get this, you must NOT 
pause, disconnect your controllers, or hit the PS/360 buttons 
in gameplay. 

- The fatigue and endurance for this event is raised because now we are 
dealing with 84 songs. This will take about 6 and a half hours. Make 
sure you are in a comfortable playing enviornment, and at a good time 
for YOU. The recommended time to start is nine in the- I mean, early in 
the afternoon, so you can be finished around to get your grub on at dinner. 
Make sure you have a free day off, and have fun with it.

**********************************
* GETTING PREPARED *
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2.0
Getting Prepared
For the Guitarist/Bassist, just stretch a little, crack your knuckles, 
loosen your finger joints and your wrists, because you will be strumming 
and fingering a bunchload. For your Drummer, I suggest stretching out the 
legs, calves, arms, and wrists. Depending on your drum set you will be 
wailing on pads and kicking down a pedal, especially towards the end of
 the ESL. Vocalists, before beginning, just sing a quick tune. Do re me fa
 so la te do works fine, also, make sure to drink old fashioned water to
 keep your vocal chords moist, otherwise puberty will be coming back with
 a vengance. Some good pep talk is nice for the band. I don't mean a 
screamfest calling your bandmates little pansies, no matter how fun that
 may be, keeping your band in a good mood will serve you well to inspire
 good tries and efforts. Remember, its a team event. 

Its also important to note that to preserve as much energy as possible. 
Guitarists/Bassists, strum lightly and take it easy. Drummers, light 
taps and playing heel down works fine, you are going to want to save 
your foot energy for the latter songs. Vocalists, its alright to hum 
here and there, its not a contest, save your voice as much as possible. 
Everyone should know how to play the easier songs on more than one 
instrument. Switch off instruments as much as possible, especially drums, 
until the songs get hard enough that you really need your best players on
 their proper instruments. This will spread around the fatigue.

Unless you really want bladder of steel, don't be afraid to pause the game. 
I'd say block out 10 hours or so, with occasional breaks, and a long 
break for food about 3/4 or the way in.

For the toughest songs, pause and discuss strategy. For example, a player 
may know that he will need energy at a certain point, so the others know 
to save up energy.

If you have a song that the best player on that instrument just can't do, 
then consider swapping instruments around so that the players are the ones
on the other instruments that can get the most energy. Put the left over
player on the impossibly hard instrument, and let him limp along with the
other players feeding him energy to keep him alive, or save him when he 
fails. This is a last resort kind of thing, but it could save you from 
total disaster.

Drums are arguably the hardest instrument, so don't be afraid to ride your
fills without activating if you have to. For example, to skip or minimize
particularly hard parts, or to take a rest on those constant 8th hi-hats
or constant kick songs. The other players should be able to pull the
score up to something reasonable.

I personally don't find warming up necessary, especially since it starts 
with Eye of the Tiger which is a song many people know so should be 
rather easy. If people want to warm up with a song before ESL, I highly
suggest only one song, and pick something that's easy. You want to save
your voice for the real thing because it's over 6 hours of singing.
Not even pro singers will sing that long in one day.

Also, hot tea works a heck of a lot better than water. But either way, 
you'llwant to keep something there to drink the entire time and keep 
hydrated (yes, even if doing Bladder of Steel - run to the bathroom 
during long tambourine sections or something). Preferably it's something
not carbonated (I've noticed that makes me sing worse in the long run).
Your voice WILL be affected faster if you don't keep hydrated.


Alright, I think we are done here with the preperations and information, 
assuming the wall of text didn't kill you, lets get started on the ESL2! 
I will divide it like pvtGramps did, with the song list, number of songs, 
most difficult instrument and song, and advice if applicable.



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*         THE ESL2         *
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3.0
ESL2 Section One: Warming Up
Number of Songs: 12
Most Difficult Song: L7 - "Pretend We're Dead"
Most Difficult Instrument: Drums

Survivor - "Eye of the Tiger"
Lit - "My Own Worst Enemy"
Social Distortion - "I Was Wrong"
Beastie Boys - "So Whatcha Want"
Beck - "E-Pro"
Duran Duran - "Hungry Like the Wolf"
L7 - "Pretend We're Dead"
Bikini Kill - "Rebel Girl"
Panic at the Disco - "Nine in the Afternoon"
Modest Mouse - "Float On"
Nirvana - "Drain You"
Interpol - "PDA"

Nothing too difficult here at all. The reason why I chose Drums as the 
most difficult instrument here is because some songs can be a little 
tiring at first. Drain You has a steady bass pedal section, Pretend We're 
Dead has quite a few rolls that interchange pads. Guitar/Bass won't see 
much stress here, same goes for Vocals, except Pretend We're Dead has 
some songs that draw out phrases for awhile. 



ESL2 Section Two: Hitting the Stage
Number of Songs: 12
Most Difficult Song: Dinosaur Jr. - "Feel the Pain"
Most Difficult Instrument: Drums

Alice in Chains - "Man in the Box"
Squeeze - "Cool for Cats"
Cheap Trick - "Hello There"
Smashing Pumpkins - "Today"
Paramore - "That's What You Get"
Norman Greenbaum - "Spirit in the Sky"
The Go-Gos - "We Got the Beat"
The Donnas - "New Kid in School"
Dinosaur Jr. - "Feel the Pain"
Elvis Costello - "Pump It Up"
Linkin Park - "One Step Closer"
The Libyans - "Welcome to the Neighborhood"

Again, nothing here that is painfully difficult for anyone. For Guitar 
and Bass, I would say One Step Closer might provide some trouble with 
how the chords shift. Vocals, nothing too bad here, the biggest pain 
we had was Man in the Box. For drums, Feel the Pain, can be a pain 
with how the song changes pace and sends your arms swinging from red 
to green. Also the hardest band song would be Feel the Pain, again, 
because of the random pace changes. Your band should pass this just 
fine. 

ESL2 Section Three: Picking Up the Pace
Number of Songs: 12
Most Difficult Song: Give It Away/A Jagged Gorgeous Winter
Most Difficult Instrument: Drums/Vocals

Billy Idol - "White Wedding Pt. 1"
Talking Heads - "Psycho Killer"
Presidents of the USA - "Lump"
Speck - "Conventional Lover"
Lush - "De-luxe"
Bad Company - "Shooting Star"
Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Give it Away"
Jimmy Eat World - "The Middle"
The Guess Who - "American Woman"
Bon Jovi - "Livin' on a Prayer"
Blondie - "One Way or Another"
The Main Drag - "A Jagged Gorgeous Winter"

This is where things get a little technical, especially in the Drum area. 
Everyones endurance will be tested on Give It Away since the pace barely 
stops except for a pause. Vocals can be equally difficult with Psycho 
Killer and American Woman, both have some weird changes in them and 
might strain a little. Guitar/Bass will actually have a little fun, 
and you will start feeling the effects of the ESL2 when The Middle 
has constant chords/speed, and a tricky solo for the Guitarist. After 
this, things will get tricky and Overdrive will start playing a 
good role in this. 



ESL2 Section Four: Fiery Limbs Galore
Number of Songs: 12
Most Difficult Song: Ratt - "Round & Round"
Most Difficult Instrument: Guitar/Bass

Fleetwood Mac - "Go Your Own Way"
The Muffs - "Kids in America"
AFI - "Girls Not Grey"
Silverspun - "Lazy Eye"
The Offspring - "Come Out & Play (Keep 'em Separated)"
Jane's Addiction - "Mountain Song"
Mighty Mighty Bosstones - "Where'd You Go"
The Replacements - "Alex Chilton"
Steve Miller Band - "Rock'n Me"
Bob Dylan - "Tangled Up in Blue"
Pearl Jam - "Alive"
Ratt - "Round & Round"

Alright, we're about halfway into the ESL2, and its time to start playing 
smart with Overdrive. All instruments are challenged here, but we felt that 
the most challenged was Guitar/Bass. Songs like Girls Not Grey, Lazy Eye, 
Alive, and Round and Round can be very tricky on the stringed instruments. 
For Drums, Kids in American has a ton of tricky fills that can be tiring, 
same goes for Girls Not Grey, but the bridge roll isn't too bad. Vocals, 
Tangled Up in Blue stood out for us a little bit. Keep a clear head and 
save some Overdrive if you run into some trouble.

Speaking of Overdrive, lets talk about using it efficiently. When my band 
tackled this event, we focused on passing, more than score. Keep in mind 
that Vocalists and Drummers are the only ones that have a certain point 
when they can activate Overdrive to save a fallen bandmate or give someone 
in the red a boost of confidence. So don't rely on them as much, especially 
when its time for the Vocalist to tap the tambos, which has no way of 
activating Overdrive. Guitarists/Bassists come into play here. If you 
know you are up against a difficult song, there is nothing wrong with 
saving up a bar of Overdrive, it will come in handy ESPECIALLY if two of 
your bandmates fail out. Additionally, when saving a bandmate, wait until 
they get into the red, preferably one-third away from failing, not only 
does this save a 3 count strike, it also makes the score higher.

ESL2 Section Five: Catching Your Breath !
Number of Songs: 12
Most Difficult Song: Guns N' Roses - "Shacklers Revenge"
Most Difficult Instrument: Vocals/Drums

Alanis Morissette - "You Oughta Know"
The Grateful Dead - "Alabama Getaway"
Rage Against the Machine - "Testify"
The Sterns - "Supreme Girl"
The Who - "Pinball Wizard"
Lucana Coil - "Our Truth"
Devo - "Uncontrollable Urge"
Joan Jett - "Bad Reputation"
Bang Camaro - "Night Lies"
Journey - "Any Way You Want It"
Sonic Youth - "Teenage Riot"
Guns N' Roses - "Shackler's Revenge"

Your probably wondering why I left out the Guitar/Bass as being terribly 
difficult. Shacklers Revenge is probably the biggest challenge for 
Guitar/Bass at this point, but as long as you try hard and switch 
hands to nail those HOPO's, you will be fine, also the Bassist/Drummer
will most likely get Overdrive to save the Guitarist. Just remember 
to keep your fingers mainly on RYBO. Vocals will be tested with songs 
like Pinball Wizard with the chorus, You Oughta Know can be a challenge
if you can't falsetto, also, Bad Reputation has a difficult point where
you can push your voice high, and then back low. Some like OHHHH 
no.... NAAAAWT me. Drums will be the most challenged here 
especially with Teenage Riot having the hi-hats, Bad 
Reputation being extremely fast and tiring. By saving Overdrive and
using it wisely, you should be able to pull through this part. 


ESL2 Section Six: The Build Up
Number of Songs: 12
Most Difficult Song: Chop Suey/Spoonman
Most Difficult Instrument: Drums/Guitar

ACDC - "Let There Be Rock"
Rush - "The Trees"
Jethro Tull - "Aqualung"
Disturbed - "Down with the Sickness"
System of a Down - "Chop Suey"
Foo Fighters - "Everlong"
Tenacious D - "Master Exploder"
Rise Against - "Give it All"
Kansas - "Carry On Wayward Son"
That Handsome Devil - "Rob the Prez-O-Dent"
Soundgarden - "Spoonman"
Motorhead - "Ace of Spades"

Chop Suey!? Am I crazy? I may be. I didn't choose Everlong because its 
difficult on Drums yes, but easy on everything else. Down with the 
Sickness is quite undertiered in my opinion, it just has a lot of bass 
pedal inside, aside from the tricky chords in Guitar, the song 
is only mildly difficult. Chop Suey on the other hand, can 
be very tricky, especially for Bass/Guitar. And for some people 
Vocals can be a huge pain on the song as well. All of the other 
songs aren't that bad, just a bit tiring at most, especially 
Let There Be Rock on Drums, probably the more tiresome, thank 
God it isn't the Live version. An honorable mention is Rob the
Prez-O-Dent, which can be a royal pain on all instruments, make sure
to save up a lot of Overdrive for that song. For Spoonman, just keep 
a clear head, save OD, the hardest thing are sadly, everything
will be challenged. 

ESL2 Section Seven: The Grand Finale
Number of Songs: 12
Most Difficult Song: Abnormality - "Visions"
Most Difficult Instrument: Drums, then Guitar, then Bass. 

Avenged Sevenfold - "Almost Easy"
Allman Brothers - "Ramblin' Man"
Anarchy Club - "Get Clean"
Megadeth - "Peace Sells"
Mastodon - "Colony of Birchmen"
Testament - "Souls of Black"
Steely Day - "Bodhisattva"
Breaking Wheel - "Shoulder to the Plow"
Metallica - "Battery"
Abnormality - "Visions"
Dream Theater - "Panic Attack"
Judas Priest - "Painkiller"

Alright, this is it. The last set of songs before you can get some well 
deserved rest and bathroom breaks. Vocalists get a little break here 
since most of these songs aren't difficult to sing. Almost Easy, really
is the easiest song you will play in this section, there is not much 
to worry about on this song except for the random spazzy parts. The 
solo isn't bad at all. Ramblin' Man is a really long, drawn out song, 
especially for Drums, plain tiring on everything else, also a pretty 
easy song for Vocals. Peace Sells is a toughie on Guitar and Drums, 
same thing with Colony of Birchmen, tricky on Guitar, 
and if you slip up on Drums, you better be quick to get back on rhythm. 
Souls of Black isn't bad, but Bodhisattva has tricky hammer on chords. 
Shoulder to the Plow is ridiculous on Drums as well as the other 
instruments, Vocals shouldn't be a problem here. Battery, Visions, Panic 
Attack, and Painkiller are the final four killers. Battery is pretty 
tough on everything except for Vocals, same goes for Visions, whore out 
your Overdrive and really work together, once you pass Visions, you can 
do this! Panic Attack and Painkiller both have 
similar Drum introductions, as for Bass. Painkiller is cake on Bass, 
so Bass should be the hero here to save anyone in need. Panic Attack 
is the worst here, since it not only has difficult bridge sections, 
the solo can be a breaker. What a better way to end the ESL2 
than to have your Vocalist scream PAIN!?

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*           OUTRO          *
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4.0
Congratulations. You've done it. Now, stop reading this and take a well 
deserved bathroom break. After you get settled and flop down in 
exhaustion, enjoy your new icons, money, fans, and most of all, 
epic bragging rights. Whats next you ask? Take a break, I'm sure 
your limbs are hurting, your calves are aching, and your vocal chords 
are straining. Some of the things you can do next is rest, 
tackle the leaderboards, finish off your trophies/achievements, 
and doing the challenges. I'm sorry if any of you don't agree on my 
tiering of difficult songs/instruments, this was how my band saw it 
and felt.

This is all I have for now, enjoy your epic triumph, completing the 
hardest challenge of the game. Good job if you have made it this far.
*gives a big cookie*.

-xXNinJaSH

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*          CREDITS         *
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5.0
pvtGramps - for inspiring the idea of this guide.
princeofcups - for adding some nice tips for people who are 
playing with a band.jeccaneko - Added some more nice tips, 
especially for voice preserving. 
HMX - for making this amazing game.
iNeedXBL - Recommended GameFAQs.


Copyright 2009 Choung Do