Old Songs on a New Screen
Monday, Dec. 29 2008 @ 6:12PM
Krist Novoselic & Jack Endino - Live Coast Community Radio Benefit Broadcast. Krist Novoselic's column runs every Tuesday on The Daily Weekly. Rock and roll has been proclaimed dead countless times. After a
slump, rock usually bounces back in a wave of new bands and sounds. Things are
different today: Rock has found new life with video games, and the phenomenon
is leading to a revival of bands that have been around for a long time.
I had my first experience with a video game when I was around 10 years
old. It was called Pong. The contest was between two rectangular "paddles" that
could only slide up and down the edges of a TV screen. Between them we bounced a
small square dot--the ping pong ball--back and forth.
In high school, I jumped into the arcade game craze of the early
1980s. The game that I really enjoyed was Asteroids (and its successor,
Asteroids Deluxe). I got pretty good at piloting the little ship and blasting
the random asteroids, tiny flying saucers, and pods that threatened my
existence in outer space. (Well, the virtual space I could afford for each 25
cents I dropped in the coin slot.)
More recently, while walking through a one-stop shopping center,
I encountered the Rock Band 2 video game. It was set up on display for
customers to try.
I know about Rock Band, because Nirvana has some songs on it. I
had never tried the game before, so I gave it a go. I worked through the menu
and found the song "In Bloom." I picked up the little guitar-shaped controller
and hit the stage.
I knew the bass line to the song, of course, but I couldn't quite master this new, different way of playing it.
The game reminded me of Space Invaders. I tried to hit the notes cascading down the screen, but could barely keep up.
Meanwhile, this kid was watching me fumble with the game. I became self-conscious and took the controller off. I handed it to him, and he proceeded to jam on the song--and was really good! He had no idea that I was the musician he was emulating on the game, and I didn't tell him.
Life goes on: I walked away to buy some paint supplies, groceries, and other items from the store.
Regardless of my first experience with the game as a player, I'm loving Rock Band. Instead of file sharing, people are actually buying music again! HA!!!
Putting that issue aside, I like how the game makes the player focus on certain components of the music. When I listen to songs, I'll usually tune my ear to the bass line. With Rock Band, you can do that, but also see the procession of notes.
Music is a living thing. It's fun to revisit songs in different forms. For instance, hearing the Beatles' 2006 album Love, a mash-up of their classic tunes, is like listening to this seminal group for the first time! Love takes the sounds and instruments that were buried in the original mix and puts them up front.
Electronica remixes can also result in a complete reinvention of a song. (By the way--can we have more electronica on the radio?)
Good music, film, paintings, books, and other forms of expression draw you into them. The excitement and power of rock fits well with the dynamic new world created by video games. The virtual universe is interactive, providing sensations that are real. Keep on rocking in the free world!!!!!!!
73 comment(s)
Zarik says:
Cool article Krist. Personally I have never played Guitar Hero or Rock Band, but I've always thought about one of the potential downsides after, believe it or
not, watching the south park episode regarding guitar hero and I wanted to see if you feel the same way.
I have this nagging worry that Guitar Hero and Rock Band will discourage kids from wanting to learn how to play actual instruments, and it might leave them content to let the game makers come up with the tunes. Perhaps in the future these games could go a step further and allow the player to make his own track.
Your thoughts?
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 30 2008 @ 4:53AM
Krist Novoselic says:
Thanks Zarik - There's research that reveals, "many of these music gamers reported that the gaming experience had a positive outcome, such as creating music discovery or triggering a digital-music or CD purchase."
I listened to rock music before I started playing guitar.
http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/122208-music-sales-rejuvenated-by-rock.html
http://www.npd.com/corpServlet?nextpage=corp_welcome.html
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 30 2008 @ 5:07PM
Chris. says:
Don't feel bad Krist, I played this for the first time a few months ago and was fumbling all over with it. I had it on easy too. *hides head in shame*
I don't remember if it was Rock Band or Guitar Hero, but the song I was playing was 'Drain You.'
Posted On: Tuesday, Dec. 30 2008 @ 6:07PM
Dan says:
I love Rock Band, and I love Nirvana!
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 31 2008 @ 12:15AM
Brendan says:
great article, I got into music after seeing Smells Like Teen Spirit on MTV and moved on from there, but I know a lot of people who take that same spirit from these games.
Posted On: Saturday, Jan. 3 2009 @ 9:27AM
Douglass S Cooeyate says:
I remember Missle Command,bent on preventing our possible(WW3),The game was simple,but I always lost!(I sucked I guess).I always left the game w/a sense of failure,for letting my Beautiful Native America down.Like Rockband,for some reason,I always get motion sickness when Jamming,(then), the re-lived sense of failure when I hear the boos of the virtual audience.Should I blame the game for not making lefthanded guitars?,even though theres a switch?It still make's my Deslexia enragaed.The bar for this game is set to high,bent on winners and loser's,it's sad to think that a kid w/hope and a dream would be led to BELIEVE that he really is'nt good enough,based on the games constant conclusion.I know that there's a switch for diffrent skill levels,but try telling that to a child,(who)is so excited,the DASHED,when he can't live up to the game.(If)I saw a kid smash his guitar I won't blame him,I'd just Pat'em on the back and say (it's OK)!!,We'll just Recycle the Plastic...The sense of Victory can't be beat,though that's true.Deep down I guess I'm against competive anything,I just wish corp-america,would announce W/this game,that music is not that big of deal,that way a KID CAN still rock....L8erz Dougkcs.Tabloid Trash.NM
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 5 2009 @ 9:28AM
Kat says:
Don't worry, Krist, every one sucks at Rockband the first time around!
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 8 2009 @ 12:43PM
Mike says:
While you're at it, could license the rest of Nevermind for Rock Band, please? :D
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 2:57PM
olsonick says:
Mike sure said it. I've been waiting with money outstretched for the whole Nevermind album to come to Rock Band.
It's funny how actual prowess on guitar/bass guitar doesn't transfer at all to Rock Band/Guitar Hero. Vocals and drums don't really reflect that struggle...
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 3:28PM
Josef says:
Zarik:
I've heard people express concerns like yours repeatedly, albeit less ... kindly put. I play RockBand a lot with my friends (whenever nobody's sure what to do, they just have me bring it over so we can all rock), and personally I find that the opposite is true.
I'm 21 now, and I've been playing guitar for about four years. I had wanted to learn since I was a kid, even going so far as to take a couple lessons from a teacher that kinda killed the desire in me for a long time, but after playing the original Guitar Hero I finally got up and went out to a pawn shop and got my first guitar and amp for $100. If it weren't for these games and their ability to, like Krist said, help you learn to focus on one component of a song and how it helps build the whole, I probably would never have gotten into music nearly as much as I am, nor would I have become a musician myself.
The same has been true for all my friends. Ever since I introduced them to Rock Band, they'll not only want to play the game but play my real instruments too. They want me to show them stuff on the guitar or let them pound on my drums for a bit. One friend has gone so far as to not only learn how to play guitar but put together his own recording studio.
I can see where it might make some people complacent in just living out their rock star fantasies on the game and never actually learn an instrument, but I'd also argue that they're not the people who would learn one anyway, so maybe Rock Band just gives them a hint of what they're missing out on.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 3:42PM
Popecorky says:
Zarek: Actually the newest version of Guitar Hero does come with a simple studio for writing your own tracks.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 4:02PM
joe says:
you should have told the kid though! that would have been fun for him.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 4:03PM
Jerome says:
Zarik:
I actually bought a real drum set because of Rock Band. I promised myself that if I beat the game on expert I would go out and buy myself one.
The game itself taught me some of the basics and I kind of took it from there. Now I'm playing the real drums way more than I play the video game.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 5:40PM
Brad says:
I totally agree with this. Rockband and guitar hero are really frustrating. I dont have them but I play once in a while at friends and stores (just like you! haha) And i agree that good music will draw you into it. That's how i feel about Nirvana. When my friends who haven't really listened to it before ask what to listen to first, i always tell them the order to go is Nevermind, In Utero, Incesticide, Bleach. It draws you in slowly but surely until you can appreciate anything from the main stream "Smells like Teen Spirit" to the more off the path "Mr. Moustache". Obviously this isn't really chronological, but for some of my friends who only listen to whine rock, i have to ease them in or the brains will literally melt from Nirvana's greatness.
haha
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 5:43PM
Heccubus says:
I've had the same problems playing Rock Band as a drummer. I hate those "drums." It just feels wrong, and I want to go ahead and play the songs the way I would behind my kit, but the game won't let me. If I play normally then it gets angry and the virtual crowd starts to boo me.
I enjoy the odd Guitar Hero round with friends, but I'd much happier to be seated behind my drums banging away than I would stuck down with those four little black pads tapping along to little coloured bars.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 6:06PM
fid says:
Love all the comments here. All though, I feel as a guitarist myself, that just because the kids, may only play Guitar Hero / RockBand to live out there Rockstar life, does not mean the games themselves will not have an impact of drastic proportions.
For example. I grew up listening to bands like Nirvana, and if it were not for them I would not play guitar. I owe this to MTV. However, I went to visit my parents and siblings, and to much surprise heard my little brother rocking out to U2. He was crazy about them, and had heard them in one of these games. The idea that he found a band that wrote music he connected to in a sort of spiritual level is great! He is also talking about going to the Seattle Art Institute for audio production. So just because he may never be on stage, there takes a lot more than just musicians to make music what it is.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 6:07PM
George says:
Electronica... I know you're feelin' electronica. I was looking forward so much to seeing you with Flipper, so I could give you a demo CD of my band. I don't care if you can do anything to help us or not. It would have been such an honor for those tunes to simply go into your ears. I know you'd be into it. I guess you can consider this comment a vain attempt for that to happen. Maybe someday I will meet you, and you can be goddamn sure I'll have a disque for you.
Thanks for entertaining me all these years.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 6:15PM
missy says:
I prefer Guitar Hero over Rock band (GH is more challenging for us music geeks, the notes are laid out differently, and I like 'buttons' in GH opposed to RB's 'mike and ikes' notes), but I find both fun. Let me tell you, those 6 years of band in jr.high and high school paid off, especially if you learned to count well! :P.
Unfortunatly, MTV and Harmonix were *really* smart and took a chance on their downloadable content, and it was a hell of a lucrative move. Activision *still* continues to either put out either very little content, or content I could care less about, and I find it highly disappointing. Being able to play all of 'Dr.Feelgood' and 'Bloodsugarsexmagik (well, save the fact that a quart of it's muted out due to the E-rating) in their entirety in Rock Band was like being 16 again.
It took me a long time, but I'm now playing both games on expert on the bass. I'm thinking it's time to start playing in bars and making the guys cry :P.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 6:15PM
Paul says:
Krist;
I owe you an apology. In 1993 you stopped by a gas station on Rt 90 south of Buffalo NY in the middle of nowhere. You came in looking for cigarettes, it had to have been 1 in the morning, we did not sell anything but gas, maps and oil. I was playing chess with my buddy Dave, and we were smoking, which you could do back then in a gas station in the middle of nowhere at 1am. You asked kindly enough if we sold cigarettes, I shot "no". You asked if you could bum 1 off me, I lied and said I didn't have anymore. I always had more. I knew who you were, we saw your tour bus. I was pissed that I was broke, couldn't go to your show.
I'm sorry it had to come out like this, but it makes me feel better to get that off my chest.
Seriously, I felt like a jerk, but we had lots of folks bug us for smokes.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 6:22PM
Scotty C says:
Krist:
It's always beautiful to see musicians GET that these games are a boon rather than a curse for music. As a lover of music AND a gamer, I sometimes find the inherent contradictions in this real-vs-fake instrument argument to be maddening.
Music is about reaching an audience. Is it really so wrong for kids to want to interact with their music in a different way than people did ten or twenty years ago?
Oh, and I'd like to second the call for more Nirvana DLC for Rock Band 2. I officially played it for the first time at a friend's house yesterday, and I'll be buying it tomorrow for myself! However I DON'T support your call for more electronica on the radio. I love that there's such a great genre still largely un-fucked by the mainstream media.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 6:38PM
phkna says:
Please Please a Really Big Please let the rest of your music be sold as download content on Rock Band
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 6:54PM
Chris says:
You should have parted with some sage advice about not tossing the bass in the air Krist. ;)
Personally, I love the new rock gaming platforms. I cannot help but think this will yield new and exciting ways to not only interact with your favorite acts but develop future musicians. I don't know if you've noticed it, but fewer and fewer students partake in music classes beyond middle school.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 6:56PM
Steve says:
Krist,
nice post, I have two sons 8 and 6 while i understand this game will not turn them in to musicians the great thing i like about it is it exposing my kids to rock...real rock and they dig it, you should see the way they rock out, i bought an extra guitar controller and you get the 3 of us jamming in the living room like a bunch of nuts...its a good time had by all.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 8:19PM
Jim Dean says:
Wow, truly amazing!
www.privacy-center.vze.com
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 8:42PM
Charles Dean says:
In response about the talk of people not wanting to actually learn instruments and playing Rock band or guitar hero instead, the opposite is definitely true.
I have a good friend who gives guitar lessons and he is having more kids taking lessons now because of it. In fact he told me of one 13 year old girl whose musical knowledge basically consisted of Miley Cyrus and all of the music on Rock Band, which is a great variety of music.
I will say that as a bass player, I am probably best at doing bass on the game, however I hate it because I would rather just play the bass part on my instrument.
however, I love playing the drums. While not actually having ever learned to play the drums, I've learned some really basic fundamentals of how to play some basic drum beats thanks to Rock Band and now I love playing drums.
It's a great game and alot of fun and I think it may spawn a whole new generation of musicians who would've never learned otherwise.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 9:10PM
acai berry diet says:
that's pretty funny rock on rock band!
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 9:21PM
Terry says:
If it makes you feel better I can rock it out on rock band but i can't play bass in real life for the life of me.
P.S You, Dave and Pat should do a little show for charity or something, it's been a while since we've seen you guys play together.
Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 15 2009 @ 9:52PM
Stéfan says:
I think the only instrument that is played nearly the same in real life and in RockBand/GuitarHero is drums. If you know how to play a song on drums for real, you will be able to play it easily in game, even in hard or expert mode. The only difference is in the number of toms and cymbals (a few more of them on a real drum), but the moves you make are very close from the real stuff.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 12:25AM
Peter says:
@joe -
Similar experience here. A couple of years ago I bought Guitar Hero II for the kids for Christmas. Had a great time playing it myself, too. When Rock Band came out, I bought that, then Rock Band II. Now, on the verge of my 40th, I'm taking drum lessons, and having a great time. In addition, I grabbed some tabs for songs I like off of internet, which have really helped. Don't know that I'll ever be able to play 'Spoonman', though...
@Heccubus-
Both of my kids, but my daughter (the younger) especially has discovered music that she loves because of these games. From what I've seen, these games are just about the best thing to happen to the music industry in a long time.
-Peter
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 3:43AM
Oliver says:
"Meanwhile, this kid was watching me fumble with the game. I became self-conscious and took the controller off. I handed it to him, and he proceeded to jam on the song—and was really good! He had no idea that I was the musician he was emulating on the game, and I didn't tell him."
COME ON - you had to tell it him. this boy would be the greatest in school for his friends, i mean, beating the original musican....shame on you not to tell him. :-)
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 3:46AM
LifeGoesOn says:
nice article,
this has always been a topic of conversation between me and my buddies, especially with those who play instruments.
anyways, nice article, worth the read.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 3:50AM
Chris says:
7 years of Piano lessons, 9 of Flute, Guitarist, bassist, banjo, Didgeridoo for crying out loud...
AWEFUL with guitar hero and rockband. The only consolation is those who play GH or RB who think becuase they're good, they can play a real instrument.
"Here - take my (non-plastic) Les Paul. Heavy isn't it. Go on - give me a tune..... oh..."
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 4:45AM
John Waters says:
I feel your pain, Krist, I tried Guitar hero and, despite having played guitar for over 20 years found myself neck deep in "teh suck". The only things that made it less shameful for me was the aforementioned South Park episode, and now this article.
John Waters (not the director)
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 5:10AM
solcatcher says:
There is plenty of evidence that these games (GH, RB, RB2, etc) are drawing people to play actual games. In fact, future iterations of these games will feature instructional components so the skills learned/earned on the musical controller will translate to skills on actual instruments. I thought RB2 was going to have some instructional component but I could be wrong on that
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 5:25AM
Dave says:
My 8 year old son plays all of these Rock Band and Guitar Hero games (a lot better than I do, I might add).
Guitar Hero and Rock band made my son love rock n' roll. He's into all the classics as well as the modern stuff.
Most importantly, my son wants to take real guitar lessons after finding out he can randomly bash on my real guitar and make it sound like the songs he plays in the game.
Video games are going to create a whole generation of rock musicians who will have a very wide range of influences.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 6:15AM
DJ Squiggle says:
LifeGoesOn I also spent years om piano but I now DJ using the QWERTY keyboard like I would playing chords on a piano (filter kills, FX on/off etc). Also have plastic MIDI controllers.
What brain energy I don't use in analogue type of control, I expend in *composing* on the fly.
Very few others are doing this for now but just you wait until the young people start producing music within these constraints rather than playing games.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 6:29AM
Cabal says:
One of my friends is a guitarist and, while on tour, his band crashed with some people who had the game 'Guitar Hero'...He was soundly beaten by their drummer while playing it and was horribly mortified.
Apparently lots of guitarists have a hard time playing the guitar parts on these games! :-D
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 7:28AM
Rick from Framingham says:
krist,
but arent you concerned with the lack of creativity and creation that has come with the spawning of these new games...
i mean i know i shouldnt be one to bitch about technology since ive been putting my bands music online for free since 1995.. and its the one thing that has spread our music far and wide to other continents...
but you have to admit.. theres not as many garage bands or newer bands forming...
whos gonna be around to swim in the dinosaur's swimming pools in 2012?!?!
oh btw. question 2 passed up here in massachusetts..
next time you coem up here gimme a ring.. and maybe ill roll up a two paper bomber.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 8:25AM
Rick From Framingham says:
P.S. we've been delving into electronic music as well.. but ive been looking to add a retro twist.. im going to make an album with entirely just atari sounds... i have an old atari 800xl, with midi interfaces, and im gonna mesh that with the newer pc's mixing.
i wanna make a soundscape album almost.. but not make it so digital and bland where its... poop..
i have an old bootleg cd of yours where its techno nirvana, where you guys used a drum machine, and used arnolds voice.... in and out in and out...
you should have put that.. and frances farmer on the box.. but theres always next time ;)
also naitsirk is working on new stuff.. myspace.com/naitsirk
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 8:31AM
rtechie says:
Many pro guitar players struggle with Guitar Hero at first because Guitar Hero requires exact timing and hand-eye coordination. Playing real guitar simply doesn't require the exact timing Guitar Hero does, it's more about technique.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 8:45AM
Eli Skillen says:
Krist, thanks for the article. a new game similiar to Guitar Hero will be coming out this year that lets you play a real guitar. it is called Guitar Rising. it lets you hook up your guitar to your computer via USB. it can teach you how to play a song but with a real guitar. they have a website it is
http://www.guitarrising.com/
maybe you could demo it and tell us about it on here.
coming from Grays Harbor, and with much respect to you and Nirvana.
Eli S
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 8:53AM
Miguel Molinari says:
Thanks for the article, Krist.
To be fair, drumming and singing on Rock Band are much closer to their real life counterparts than strings are. Even though the game teaches you to keep the rhythm with one hand (strum bar) and switch notes with the other, it can't touch the complexity of playing a real guitar.
I grew up in Puerto Rico, so even though I was familiar with most bands from the '80s and later, I only recently discovered some of the great classics (Rush, Boston, The Who, AC/DC, etc.) thanks to Rock Band.
Since then, I've actually SEEN AC/DC, Rush and The Who and have been listening to a lot more rock lately. I've also taken a heavy interest in drumming and I'd like to learn how to emulate Dave's style and energy.
I'm glad you appreciate games as a medium to spread the gospel of rock, and thank you for supporting music games.
If you want to keep up with what's new in the music gaming industry, swing by our humble site: http://www.rockgamer.com/
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 9:23AM
paulwesterberg says:
My local community radio has an excellent Electronica program called "Something Wonderful" 8-11 on monday nights:
http://www.wort-fm.org/listen.php
You can stream it live or listen to last weeks show from the archives:
http://archive.wort-fm.org/
Last week they featured an electronic remix of Johnny Cash's Get Rhythm.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 11:04AM
Shaun Diamonds says:
The concept of you playing In Bloom in Rock Band kind of hurts my head!
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 12:03PM
Shaun Diamonds says:
The concept of you playing In Bloom in Rock Band kind of hurts my head!
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 12:04PM
Shaun Diamonds says:
The concept of you playing In Bloom in Rock Band kind of hurts my head!
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 12:05PM
Ginseng says:
Wow. I always wondered what would happen when instrumentalists mixed with rock band. How sweet to find some word from Nirvana! These video games are really something- makes you really feel like you're in a band when you have a group of friends together. I can't really understand the passion for mastering guitar hero without tampering with a guitar though. Peace and love!
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 16 2009 @ 12:52PM
Ross says:
Yeah, I play guitar, but I can't play it Rock Band or Guitar Hero either. It feels more like I'm playing a keyboard.
Posted On: Sunday, Jan. 18 2009 @ 12:58PM
David says:
Yay for electronica :-) Even more yay for Krist liking electronica !
Posted On: Sunday, Jan. 18 2009 @ 8:54PM
independent retailer says:
That means you are shopping at walmart?
Posted On: Monday, Jan. 19 2009 @ 9:52PM
Eve-O says:
Krist, I'm a musician myself, but personally I think that games of that kind really discourage young people from real instruments, as they are harder to master. Of course, I'm not talking about extraordinary solos, but basics (eg. power chords).
By the way, I'm still trying to figure out the bass intro from Spank Thru :-)
Posted On: Wednesday, Jan. 21 2009 @ 7:35AM
Mollykat says:
Hi Mr. N. I really like your blog, and it strikes my fancy that you suck at rock band. I too am technologically impaired...So how about that inauguration, huh? Wasn't it a gas?
Posted On: Wednesday, Jan. 21 2009 @ 7:23PM
Luan - Brazil says:
I'm a bassist and I love Rock Band and Guitar hero, but is totally different than a real bass. Its really wear. But I'm a really addicted to this kind of games, so it's easier.
The games like that are really good, because the power of rock n roll is coming back.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 4:04AM
The Dude says:
I took guitar in high school about a decade ago. A little while after high school, I stopped playing guitar. And then I got into rock band / guitar hero last year. It inspired me to buy an electric guitar and relearn. Those games give you confidence and help you learn rhythm and pacing. They also expose you to music you might not have listened to or liked before. I think it helps music and guitarists.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 8:02AM
The Dude says:
Also. I found that my skills in rock band aided my real guitar skills and vice versa. It's like cross training or something. As I get better in one, I get slightly better at the other. I think that someone like you Krist or any pro guitarist could really ace it after just a little practice. It's just like a new instrument. Also, this time you have a scrolling script in front of you showing you what notes to play. Once your fingers realize what is going on, you'll be golden. I'd really like to see some guitar tablature software scroll real guitar tab the same way.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 8:11AM
Jimmy A. says:
I'm a big fan of Rock Band and Guitar Hero. Not only is it an amazing party game, but the music involved is great and has helped me learn about some bands I would have never listened to otherwise. In fact, when I heard "Search and Destroy" in Guitar Hero II I became so in love with the songs that I ended up buying all three Stooges albums and loving each one.
I can understand how you feel about the Rock Band/real instrument contrast, Krist. I'm a guitarist myself, but when I started playing the game playing the buttons was the most awkward thing for me. I remember exclaiming "this is nothing like real guitar!" and getting frustrated when I couldn't play the first few songs on Easy, haha. I enjoy doing drums and vocals a lot more. Actually, singing in Rock Band has inspired me to work harder on my vocals in real life.
P.S. Can you please license "Teen Spirit", "Come As You Are" and "Lithium" for the game? A few songs from Bleach and/or In Utero wouldn't hurt either.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 23 2009 @ 10:10PM
ROCK BAND FAN says:
PLEASE LICENSE 'SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT' FOR ROCK BAND 2!
Posted On: Monday, Mar. 9 2009 @ 12:55PM
Anja says:
Point taken.
However, what happened to the days where instead of sitting inside all day playing rock band, to music that is not even sung by the original musicians (ok, most of them) , and instead going out and starting a band? I love the fact these kind of games can bring back classic bands and kids these days seem to hear less and less of, but I miss the garage band feel. The feeling of music coming out of amplifiers, for better for for worse. Instead of muted while they mime a video game tune. :/
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 2 2009 @ 5:58AM
Osty says:
Hey Krist, Nice Colunm.
Anyway, I was thinking of a new guitar Hero. This guitar hero nirvana game will take you through the history of nirvana, from the fecal matter formation to the death of kurt cobain. i got the idea from the guitar hero: aerosmith game. with 10 levels and on each level has 5 tracks and an encore so in all has 60 songs. plus 40 extra songs. making a total of 100 nirvana songs. If anyone has suggestions or helpful tips or can help with this project in any way, please do so by leaving a comment!
P.S: X- (name) is the Chapter name, and ENC: is the encore for that set!
X- Fecal Matter
1. Spank Thru
2. Downer
3. Bambi Slaughter
4. Anorexorsist
5. Aneuryism
Encore. Heartbreaker
X- Nirvana
1. Aero Zeppelin
2. Hairspray Queen
3. Mexican Seafood
4. Been A Son
5. Stain
Enc: Moby Dick
X- Bleach
1. Love Buzz
2. Big Cheese
3. About A Girl
4 .Blew
5. School
Enc: Immagrant Song
X- Gut Bomb
1. Molly's Lips
2. Floyd The Barber
3. Dive
4. Opinion
5. Here She Comes Now
Enc: They Hung Him On A Cross
X- Nevermind
1. Smells Like Teen Spirit
2. In Bloom
3. Come As You Are
4. Lithium
5. Polly
Enc: On a Plain
X- MTV Unplugged
1. Plateau
2. Something In The Way
3. Lake Of Fire
4. The Man Who Sold The World
5. Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam
Enc: Where Did You Sleep Last Night
X- From The Muddy Banks Of Wishkah
1. You Know You're Right
2. Sliver
3. Sappy
4. Stay Away
5. Oh Me
Enc: Scoff
X- In Utero
1. Serve The Servants
2. Scentless Apprentice
3. Heart-Shaped Box
4. Rape Me
5. Pennyroyal Tea
Enc: All Apologies
X- With The Lights Out
1. I Hate Myself And Want To Die
2. Milk It
3. Gallons Of Rubbing Alchohol Flow Through The Strip
4. Very Ape
5. Moist Vagina
Enc: Territorial Pissings
X- The End Of Grunge
1. Endless Nameless
2. Breed
3. Drain You
4. Dumb
5. Marigold
Enc: Do Re Mi
Extra Songs to buy in Rock Shop:
1. Accusations
2. Ain't It A Shame
3. Beans
4. Beeswax
5. Big Long Now
6. Blandest
7. Blathers Log
8. Buffy's Pregnant
9. Clean Up Before She Comes
10 .Curmudgeon
11. D-7
12. Don't Want It All
13. Even In His Youth
14. Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle
15. Grey Goose
16. Here She Comes Now
17. If You Must
18. Laminated Effect
19. Lounge Act
20. Mr. Moustache
21. Mrs. Butterworth
22. Negative Creep
23. Oh, The Guilt
24. Old Age
25. The Other Improv
26. Paper Cuts
27. Pen Cap Chew
28. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter
29. Return Of The Rat
30. Seasons In The Sun
31. Sound Of Dentage
32. Swap Meet
33. Talk To Me
34. Token Eastern Song
35. Tourette's
36. Turnaround
37. Vaseline
38. Ventetagainst
39. Verse Chorus Verse
40. White Lace And Strange
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 9 2009 @ 2:56PM
Osty says:
Hey Krist, Nice Colunm.
Anyway, I was thinking of a new guitar Hero. This guitar hero nirvana game will take you through the history of nirvana, from the fecal matter formation to the death of kurt cobain. i got the idea from the guitar hero: aerosmith game. with 10 levels and on each level has 5 tracks and an encore so in all has 60 songs. plus 40 extra songs. making a total of 100 nirvana songs. If anyone has suggestions or helpful tips or can help with this project in any way, please do so by leaving a comment!
P.S: X- (name) is the Chapter name, and ENC: is the encore for that set!
X- Fecal Matter
1. Spank Thru
2. Downer
3. Bambi Slaughter
4. Anorexorsist
5. Aneuryism
Encore. Heartbreaker
X- Nirvana
1. Aero Zeppelin
2. Hairspray Queen
3. Mexican Seafood
4. Been A Son
5. Stain
Enc: Moby Dick
X- Bleach
1. Love Buzz
2. Big Cheese
3. About A Girl
4 .Blew
5. School
Enc: Immagrant Song
X- Gut Bomb
1. Molly's Lips
2. Floyd The Barber
3. Dive
4. Opinion
5. Here She Comes Now
Enc: They Hung Him On A Cross
X- Nevermind
1. Smells Like Teen Spirit
2. In Bloom
3. Come As You Are
4. Lithium
5. Polly
Enc: On a Plain
X- MTV Unplugged
1. Plateau
2. Something In The Way
3. Lake Of Fire
4. The Man Who Sold The World
5. Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam
Enc: Where Did You Sleep Last Night
X- From The Muddy Banks Of Wishkah
1. You Know You're Right
2. Sliver
3. Sappy
4. Stay Away
5. Oh Me
Enc: Scoff
X- In Utero
1. Serve The Servants
2. Scentless Apprentice
3. Heart-Shaped Box
4. Rape Me
5. Pennyroyal Tea
Enc: All Apologies
X- With The Lights Out
1. I Hate Myself And Want To Die
2. Milk It
3. Gallons Of Rubbing Alchohol Flow Through The Strip
4. Very Ape
5. Moist Vagina
Enc: Territorial Pissings
X- The End Of Grunge
1. Endless Nameless
2. Breed
3. Drain You
4. Dumb
5. Marigold
Enc: Do Re Mi
Extra Songs to buy in Rock Shop:
1. Accusations
2. Ain't It A Shame
3. Beans
4. Beeswax
5. Big Long Now
6. Blandest
7. Blathers Log
8. Buffy's Pregnant
9. Clean Up Before She Comes
10 .Curmudgeon
11. D-7
12. Don't Want It All
13. Even In His Youth
14. Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle
15. Grey Goose
16. Here She Comes Now
17. If You Must
18. Laminated Effect
19. Lounge Act
20. Mr. Moustache
21. Mrs. Butterworth
22. Negative Creep
23. Oh, The Guilt
24. Old Age
25. The Other Improv
26. Paper Cuts
27. Pen Cap Chew
28. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter
29. Return Of The Rat
30. Seasons In The Sun
31. Sound Of Dentage
32. Swap Meet
33. Talk To Me
34. Token Eastern Song
35. Tourette's
36. Turnaround
37. Vaseline
38. Ventetagainst
39. Verse Chorus Verse
40. White Lace And Strange
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 9 2009 @ 2:56PM
Osty says:
Hey Krist, Nice Colunm.
Anyway, I was thinking of a new guitar Hero. This guitar hero nirvana game will take you through the history of nirvana, from the fecal matter formation to the death of kurt cobain. i got the idea from the guitar hero: aerosmith game. with 10 levels and on each level has 5 tracks and an encore so in all has 60 songs. plus 40 extra songs. making a total of 100 nirvana songs. If anyone has suggestions or helpful tips or can help with this project in any way, please do so by leaving a comment!
P.S: X- (name) is the Chapter name, and ENC: is the encore for that set!
X- Fecal Matter
1. Spank Thru
2. Downer
3. Bambi Slaughter
4. Anorexorsist
5. Aneuryism
Encore. Heartbreaker
X- Nirvana
1. Aero Zeppelin
2. Hairspray Queen
3. Mexican Seafood
4. Been A Son
5. Stain
Enc: Moby Dick
X- Bleach
1. Love Buzz
2. Big Cheese
3. About A Girl
4 .Blew
5. School
Enc: Immagrant Song
X- Gut Bomb
1. Molly's Lips
2. Floyd The Barber
3. Dive
4. Opinion
5. Here She Comes Now
Enc: They Hung Him On A Cross
X- Nevermind
1. Smells Like Teen Spirit
2. In Bloom
3. Come As You Are
4. Lithium
5. Polly
Enc: On a Plain
X- MTV Unplugged
1. Plateau
2. Something In The Way
3. Lake Of Fire
4. The Man Who Sold The World
5. Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam
Enc: Where Did You Sleep Last Night
X- From The Muddy Banks Of Wishkah
1. You Know You're Right
2. Sliver
3. Sappy
4. Stay Away
5. Oh Me
Enc: Scoff
X- In Utero
1. Serve The Servants
2. Scentless Apprentice
3. Heart-Shaped Box
4. Rape Me
5. Pennyroyal Tea
Enc: All Apologies
X- With The Lights Out
1. I Hate Myself And Want To Die
2. Milk It
3. Gallons Of Rubbing Alchohol Flow Through The Strip
4. Very Ape
5. Moist Vagina
Enc: Territorial Pissings
X- The End Of Grunge
1. Endless Nameless
2. Breed
3. Drain You
4. Dumb
5. Marigold
Enc: Do Re Mi
Extra Songs to buy in Rock Shop:
1. Accusations
2. Ain't It A Shame
3. Beans
4. Beeswax
5. Big Long Now
6. Blandest
7. Blathers Log
8. Buffy's Pregnant
9. Clean Up Before She Comes
10 .Curmudgeon
11. D-7
12. Don't Want It All
13. Even In His Youth
14. Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle
15. Grey Goose
16. Here She Comes Now
17. If You Must
18. Laminated Effect
19. Lounge Act
20. Mr. Moustache
21. Mrs. Butterworth
22. Negative Creep
23. Oh, The Guilt
24. Old Age
25. The Other Improv
26. Paper Cuts
27. Pen Cap Chew
28. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter
29. Return Of The Rat
30. Seasons In The Sun
31. Sound Of Dentage
32. Swap Meet
33. Talk To Me
34. Token Eastern Song
35. Tourette's
36. Turnaround
37. Vaseline
38. Ventetagainst
39. Verse Chorus Verse
40. White Lace And Strange
Posted On: Tuesday, Jun. 9 2009 @ 2:56PM
Justin says:
Hi Krist, can I ask you a question about kurt? I'm sure you have been asked a million questions about kurt so if you don't feel like talking about him I understand. But I have always wanted to know did he play videogames? The super nintendo came out in August 1991 and that was the best console at the time was just wondering did any of you guys kick back and play "super nintendo" or did kurt like video games at all.
Posted On: Thursday, Jun. 11 2009 @ 1:02AM
Corey says:
Hey krist, I'm going to ask u a ?..Is there a Full Video of 12/13/1993? (MTV Live and Loud
Just asking because Nirvana fans in youtube wants to know if it is..
Posted On: Saturday, Jul. 18 2009 @ 8:28PM
Mr.Moustache says:
I would have shat myself in my pants if i ever saw you playing Rock Band 2 in the SAME room as me. OMG i want to be that kid.
Posted On: Sunday, Jul. 26 2009 @ 10:53AM
Mike from sydney says:
For kids, learning to play music should be via a real instrument!!
when i was a kid, i was amazed how simple these unfashionable but cool old buddy holly and tom petty songs were once i'd learned 3 'real chords'. it was a revelation that led me on the road to punk, ska, and all sorts.
A shop assistant told me today that girls today are wearing mc hammer pants 'because they missed out on the 80's era of all those funny clothes'. but same as GH , theyre not 'really' experiencing it anyway.
try 'creating' music, kids! its fun!!!'
cheers...
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 29 2009 @ 7:18PM
Anonymous says:
...oh, and GH costs more than a second-hand (or even new) guitar anyway!!
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 29 2009 @ 7:20PM
Gina says:
I haven't tried rock band or guitar hero yet, mostly because I'm too poor and lazy.
but I don't really like the fact that some people are basing their guitar playing skills on memorizing a few buttons..
yet I want to try it..alot.
I feel guilty now.
AND NO MORE ELECTRONICA.
seriously, everytime I turn on the radio or a music channel on tv there's some sort of electronic-type music.
what happened to just bass drums and guitars?..I miss music like that, and i'm only 15.
I don't even want to think about what the music of the next decade will be like..
Posted On: Sunday, Sep. 13 2009 @ 1:39AM
Gina says:
re-phrasing: I miss when music like that was POPUlAR.
another thing that makes me wish I was born a generation earlier.
Gen Y = FAILFAILFAILEPICFAIL.
btw, even though I found out about it later than most (2004..), Nirvana changed my life, everyone keeps saying that but it did, if it wasn't for you guys I would still be listening
Posted On: Sunday, Sep. 13 2009 @ 1:53AM
Gina says:
re-phrasing: I miss when music like that was POPUlAR.
another thing that makes me wish I was born a generation earlier.
Gen Y = FAILFAILFAILEPICFAIL.
btw, even though I found out about it later than most (2004..), Nirvana changed my life, everyone keeps saying that but it really did, so thank you
Posted On: Sunday, Sep. 13 2009 @ 2:01AM
chaidiccymn says:
see this http://fff.to/B7T
Posted On: Saturday, Oct. 3 2009 @ 9:37AM
Davi says:
Hey Krist, I'm a brazilian fan. Man, I have no words to say you what you, Kurt and Dave made in the music scene. Despite 15 years of nirvana's final, it still making sucess with young people. I'm always smile when I see a video of nirvana's concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Kurt come to you and says "Hey Kris, are those big bright lights bothering the shit out of you?" hahaha, and after you go play guitar. Good times. I hope you see this message and send me an email, if you have a free time. Cya Krist.
Posted On: Monday, Oct. 12 2009 @ 9:56AM
Steave says:
Nice story as for me. It would be great to read more about this topic.
Posted On: Thursday, Oct. 22 2009 @ 12:11AM
Michael says:
How ironic that I stumble upon this article while I'm downloading the Nirvana track packs for my Rockband business? We can't have Rock Band Bar Nights here in Seattle without Nirvana can we? Have you gotten any better Krist? LOL, how funny is that? Here's a question though, how representative is the notes on the Rock Band version vs. what you wrote and played? I mean, I know there is no real comparison between playing the guitar and bass on RB2, but are they placed right as far as what string is being hit and when. I'm a big time drummer on Rock band and I always thought that was the most realistic representation in the game. Then I sat down at a real drum kit for the first time.................
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 3 2009 @ 3:46PM