My Guitar Hero "Controller"

deadite_99

Shared on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 10:47

G'day all...

I've been playing guitar for going on 25 years now (damn, I'm getting old!) As such, I get asked frequently if I play Guitar Hero or Rock Band. Now I've tried both, and while I've found them mildly entertaining, I just couldn't get into them. It's really frustrating for me to muddle through a song on these games, that I can easily play on guitar.

I do think these games are great, as they give gamers the thrill of playing in a band, and perhaps they create interest in learning guitar, bass or drums. The line is definately blurring, as some of the new controllers ape a real instrument in many ways. There are a few companies creating guitars with USB interfaces, and I can see the next step being a guitar or bass that you plug straight into your gaming console. Cool stuff, to be sure!

I've been in 4 bands over the years, and have sat in on blues jams and whatnot for years. I'm currently playing in a new band. We've been together a couple of months, and have yet to establish a name. We're playing old school rockabilly (Eddie Cochran, Carl Perkins etc) and some newer Psychobilly (Reverend Horton Heat, Cramps) We're working on a few originals right now, and we're currently recording a demo to give to club owners. The band is a three piece, myself on guitar and vocals, a drummer, and a stand up bass (doghouse) We are in the band to have fun, and do a few gigs, but mainly it's our weekly de-stressor. We drink a bunch of beer/whiskey and rock out. We're just starting to really get in the groove, and click with one another. It's really magical when that happens. Imagine the fun of playing Rock Band times 10!

We filmed our practice session last week, as soon as I get the footage back from Brian, our bass player, I'll post something.

Here's a pic of me with my "baby". It's a 2003 Gretsch 6120. It's pretty much the standard for rockabilly guitars.

I dig it the most!

Comments

ATC_1982's picture
Submitted by ATC_1982 on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 10:50
+ 1 for Guitar
Caesar's picture
Submitted by Caesar on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 10:59
badass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you got anything we can listen to?
JeepChick's picture
Submitted by JeepChick on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 11:09
My husband has the same complaint. He plays the drums cause it bugs him so bad to even try guitar. :) I love your background and want to steal it!
deadite_99's picture
Submitted by deadite_99 on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 11:12
Hey Caesar.... We are recording a few songs tonight, and we have about 5 in the can waiting to be mixed. Should have something for next week!
deadite_99's picture
Submitted by deadite_99 on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 11:13
Hey Jeep Chick.. Yeah, I've tried the drums. They were really fun to play. Check out the Kim Falcon site I posted, I think there's a bigger version of my background pic! :-)
TaxiSquad27's picture
Submitted by TaxiSquad27 on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 11:25
Dude, I started getting pretty decent at the first and second rock bands (not good, mind you). It occurred to me that in a few years that all my "knowledge" on a plastic guitar would be wasted when people stop playing this game. I promptly purchased a fender strat (Mexican, not American - not ready for that purchase yet) and have been picking away at it for a few months now. http://www.guitarcenter.com/item/expandedimage.aspx?t=4&img=Fender/47491... So again, I'm not any good - yet - but I'm also not really playing around with a plastic guitar anymore. Any ideas on best path to learn short of just putting hours in? Notes? Chords? Pick? Finger picking? Acoustic easier to learn on than electric? Time I have, but I want to use it wisely. Oh, and that chick looks like a brunette Christina Applegate. Is it?
TaxiSquad27's picture
Submitted by TaxiSquad27 on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 11:26
"decent at the first and second rock bands (not good, mind you" should read: *decent at the first and second guitar heroes (not good, mind you Whatever, same same.
deadite_99's picture
Submitted by deadite_99 on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 11:40
Hey Taxisquad! Nice Strat. Congrats! I have the exact same guitar. It's been modded to hell over the years, but it's my main workhorse Strat. Nothing wrong with those Mexican Strats. They have slightly cheaper hardware than the American models, but they are great guitars. I would suggest doing a search for the CAGED method. There are 5 basic chord shaped on the guitar that are repeated up the neck, and if you learn these 5 shapes in all keys, you will be well on your way. There's a bunch of great instructional videos on You Tube. I'll send you a list of some of the ones that I have found. Yeah, she does look a bit like Christina Applegate. That's Kim Falcon, see my previous post for info on her.
KingBayman's picture
Submitted by KingBayman on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 12:59
I kind of had the same experience at first. I've been playing guitar for 20 years and been in quite few bands myself. From straight cover bands to bands that only played originals. I've written and recorded 7 albums with the main band I was in for 10 years. I had a hell of a time playing GH2 when I first got it.(Never played the first one) I was failing on easy. But I started thinking of it as a different instrument that uses the same form and muscles as the guitar. Once I did that, it didn't take long (a month or so) and I was playing the game on expert. But I agree, actually playing live in front of a crowd, whether it's 10 people or 10,000 people(done both) is infinitely cooler and more fun. But the wife doesn't approve of me going out and playing in bars every weekend(little bit of a drinking problem in my past) and I simply don't have the time to put in anymore to really devote to a band. It is like being married to a second wife after all. But on occasion I get together wife old froend's of mine and jam at Halloween or Christmas parties and such.
KingBayman's picture
Submitted by KingBayman on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 13:00
Oh and I have a BC Rich Warlock, a Fender Strat and an Ibanez acoustic. Along with many remnants of old guitars that were sacrificed in the name of rock and roll. lol
deadite_99's picture
Submitted by deadite_99 on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 13:38
Nice set of guitars, King! Besides the Gretsch, I have a couple of G&L's, a Tele, a Strat, and a couple of Reverends. I've got a Gretch, and an old Aria acoustic. My wife is very supportive of my musical endevours (hmmm....maybe she just wants me out of the house so she can play Xbox!) :-)

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