Harmonix and MTV Games, the people behind the Rock Band games, have announced a couple of ventures coinciding with the popular music game series which will benefit a couple of charities.

Firstly, to celebrate the three-day Penny Arcade Expo (PAX), they've announced a special set of DLC for Rock Band: the "PAX 2008 Collection". Launching tomorrow, September 2 (Xbox 360) and September 4 (PS3), the set contains tracks from all the artists which performed at the expo, including Jonathan Coulton, MC Frontalont, and The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets.

Proceeds from the pack will be donated to the Penny Arcade run Child's Play Charity which benefits children's hospitals worldwide.

“We’re excited that some of our favorite artists can be featured in Rock Band as a result of this pack,” said Robert Khoo, Show Director for Penny Arcade Expo. “Calling attention to PAX artists and giving back to the community at the same time show why Harmonix is truly a company focused on the music and their fans above all else.”

The pack includes "Skullcrusher Mountain" by Jonathan Coulton, said to be the story of "a misunderstood genius and the woman he attempts to woo with monstrous creations like a half-monkey, half-pony," as well as "Shhh...." by Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, which is a completely exclusive track to Rock Band.

[Price: .99¢ (80 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$2.99 (240 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for 3 pack]
(All three tracks utilize the original master recordings)

Secondly, the studios are teaming up with LIFEbeat, an organization which works towards preventing HIV/AIDS. On Saturday, September 6th at House of Blues in Los Angeles, Rock Band Live Tour artists Panic At The Disco and Plain White T's will be doing some special short performances to bring more awareness to the organization's cause, as well as promote the launch of Rock Band 2.

Call the “Rock Band 2 Party to Benefit LIFEbeat”, tickets are $50.00 for GA, with proceeds going to the organization. Tickets can be purchased at House of Blues Box Office and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

“MTV is proud to be teamed up with LIFEbeat again on this year’s VMA weekend as we support their long-standing commitment to HIV/AIDS education and prevention,” said Tim Rosta, SVP of Integrated Marketing at MTV. “We have always seen the LIFEbeat benefit as one of the cornerstones of the weekend, and this year’s event is no exception.”

Paul DeGooyer, Senior Vice President of Electronic Games and Music for MTV Networks Music & Logo Group, added, ”By bringing Rock Band and LIFEbeat together, we hope to unleash the power of one of the biggest video game launches this year to benefit a fantastic and worthy cause.”

“HIV/AIDS remains a major epidemic in America with over 56,000 new cases diagnosed each year, and half of those infections occurring in Americans under 25, making it more important than ever to reach young audiences,” said John Cannelli, Executive Director, LIFEbeat. “This annual event offers a great opportunity to further our goals and mission.”