Drummers can be underappreciated, underrated and unnoticed unless they mess up the tempo so badly that they stick out like a sore thumb. Sure, there have been more than a few drummers who are musical household names.

But they sit there in the back, pounding away on drumheads, keeping the time. They deserve their moment in the spotlight.

The Ant Commandos seems to think so. Known for peripheral devices, such as their guitars for the Rock Band/Guitar Hero set, TAC has gone in a bit different direction with its latest release, and have acknowledged drummers with the Illuminated Drumsticks.

The drumsticks are a simple peripheral device. In essence, you use them to beat on the target heads with the Rock Band set (although they can also be used with the upcoming Guitar Hero: World Tour set).

The sticks are made from a transparent polycarbonate material that transmits light, generated by AAA batteries in the handle, when the stick head is struck. Honestly, it adds nothing to the playability of the Rock Band drums, but rather than sit there beating away, with the red or blue illumination, the drummer gets a better share of the spotlight. The actual handles of the drumsticks are covered with a slick plastic that is comfortable to hold. You can build up sweat and the covering will not absorb that, but they are easy to grip for hours at a time. The striking head of the drumstick is made from a different material than the wand, and seems to absorb some of the initial shock from impact.

The best part is the price, which is $19.99 for a set. Because the lights are not on constantly, the battery life is saved when the drumsticks are not in use.

These are flashy aesthetic additions to the band idea of the musical game genre. They really add little to the effectiveness or skill of the drummer using them, but turn the lights down a bit and what these sticks bring out is exclamations along the lines of “cool!”

And the sticks seem to be rather durable. They stood up to teens beating away on the drum kit and have “cousins” appearing in real-life bands. TAC has taken a simple idea and created a nice product from it.

Pros:
Durable, with a comfortable grip and the batteries are seemingly not taxed when the sticks are not in use.  

Cons:
None.

Overall: 8.5
An aesthetic indulgence, the Illuminated Drumsticks are a very nice addition to any game band, and the price is a bonus.