Electronic Arts announced details about Rock Band 2 today. The big news is that it will be out in September, which will beat its main competitor, Guitar Hero: World Tour, to the market. IGN got the news up first here. They've also got an interview here with a designer who's careful not to release any details before E3, and to sound like a practiced PR guy in the process. He also manages to plug his band and point out how the game improved his real world performance.

Some salient details:

* You can use your Rock Band instruments, although there will be improved or enhanced instruments shipping with Rock Band 2. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a working Stratocaster at the very least.

* The Xbox 360 gets Rock Band 2 exclusively in September. The PS3 and any other platforms will have to wait until an unspecified time. Ouch.

* You'll be able to skew random setlists to not include certain prohibitively difficult songs. Phew.

* Songs you've purchased online for Rock Band will carry over. Double phew.

* Rock Band 2 will include at least two of the following bands: Agent Orange, The Beatles, Built to Spill, The Buzzcocks, Journey, Led Zeppelin, Modest Mouse, Pavement, The Replacements, or Tool. Here's hoping it's not just Agent Orange and Built to Spill. No offense if you're a member of either of those bands.