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A long while back you could count yourself to be quite the indie rock specialist if you spoke of Jack White and his band The White Stripes. But since 2003 and the song "Seven Nation Army" from the band's "Elephant" album, The White Stripes have become a favourite at dinner parties the world over. That's just the way it goes.
Jack White has moved on to tour with another band, The Dead Weather, but this summer The White Stripes will resurface in the rock-along videogame Guitar Hero 5. Last Friday Jack White seemed less than pleased with the new attention that's sure to come his way from teens strumming on fake guitars connected to games consoles.
During an LA press conference for the "It Might Get Loud" documentary, in which White features alongside Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page and U2's The Edge, the cheeky feller had the gall to get the blues about the youth of today.
NME journalists reporting from the event have White down as saying: "It's depressing to have a label come and tell you that [Guitar Hero] is how kids are learning about music and experiencing music." And, "If you have to be in a videogame to get in front of them, that's a little sad." We're sure he won't turn down the royalties though.
Jimmy Page also used the stage to continue his much publicised disapproval of Guitar Hero, Rock Band and their ilk. In summary, according the NME, Page believes that kids can't be learning anything worthwhile about musical instruments by playing videogames. He says: "You think of the drum part that John Bonham did on Led Zeppelin's first track on the first album, 'Good Times Bad Times'. How many drummers in the world can play that part, let alone on Christmas morning?" And then probably fell asleep with a Werther's Original in his gob, we don't know.
Guys, it's only a game! Or is it? No, it is. Isn't it?
Should we be tossing our plastic guitars and drums on the scrap heap for the sake of real rock 'n' roll? Do you think practicing for hours with a music videogame is a waste of time? Should Jack White have kept his mouth shut - will you boycott his songs in Guitar Hero 5? Is it past Jimmy Page's bedtime already?
Let us know your thoughts.
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Page doesn't know his #### from his elbow - he's only had one decent song and he totally forgets that this is a video game. He's the one suggesting that it's a replacement for real music when it's not and how patronising of him to think that kids would think that. I have a daughter who played guitar here - saw the obvious link to the real guitar and started lessons the next week. Thanks to Guitar Here - I think it's good for music development. Guitar Here succeeded in introducing my daughter to the world of guitar where Jimmy Page failed.
Posted by: gary.wales1 on Thu Jun 25 03:18PM | Report abuseSorry - meant to say Jack White has only done one good song but got so carried away in my fury that I typed the wrong name - that's passion for ya !!!!
Posted by: gary.wales1 on Thu Jun 25 03:22PM | Report abuseif the make a version of the game useing a real guitar then its a good thing. the way it is at the moment it is just a game but it could become a realy good leaning device for kids and adults alike.
Posted by: matthew_hoare1972 on Thu Jun 25 04:01PM | Report abuseFirstly, Jack White does have some talent but if he insists on carrying his limp wristed sister in The White Stripes then I have no respect for him. He should give any profits from that "band" to charity (Comic Relief seems appropriate). Or get Meg the Rock Band / Guitar Hero drum set and maybe she will be able to play along in time for once. OK, obligatory White Stripes rant out the way now. Personally I love playing these games. It's a great way to experience what it would feel like to be a decent musician without the years of lessons/practising that most of us these days haven't got time for. Plus I have even more respect for bands like QOTSA and The Police who's tracks I already loved and are so much fun to play. It is only a game. It's not "THE" way that "KIDS" are learning about music, it's just another medium for it. Roll on Harp Hero I say!
Posted by: kevinjamieson on Thu Jun 25 04:08PM | Report abusedo something worthwhile and sporty instead, how about this www.uklongdriveseries.com quite sporty! who wants to play air guitar! crikey
Posted by: extremeld on Thu Jun 25 04:14PM | Report abuseGuitar hero is just like jerking off, it's what little kids do before they get to do the real thing. Now adults who play it? - @#$%.
Posted by: american_acoustic on Thu Jun 25 04:34PM | Report abusePage is spot on. GH is symptomatic of the mediocrity that is spreading across the world - if you can't be bothered to learn something properly, fake it with a computer. And then you can be like everyone else. The uniform of non-conformity strikes again...
Posted by: impmann on Thu Jun 25 04:51PM | Report abusenot just kids play guitar hero i am 36 and enjoy playing it. i know full well i dont have a musical bone in my body as have tryed so meany times to try and play some thing. so whats so wrong with enjoying 30 mins or so pretending you are a rock god? we cant all be jimmy page or jake white!!!
Posted by: punkbitch55 on Thu Jun 25 04:52PM | Report abuseGet a grip - Guitar Hero / Rock Band / Singstar and the like are not music tutorials - they're FUN! - It's basically o revamp of the old MB game SIMON - hit the coloured buttons in sequence or lose the game - and I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd rather be listening to Pear Jam's "Evenflow" while doing it than 4 dodgy MIDI tones.... Also, My 10 year old has started playing giutar (the one with strings, not buttons) but now has a better idea of what REAL music sounds like, and we can still enjoy GH together when his fingers get sore. Nobody tears apart MarioKart for discouraging people from driving real world cars (and their plastic steering wheel is used more akin to the real thing than a GH guitar) this is a rediculous publicity stunt cashing in on the success of these rhythm games, playing to the usual rock stereotype of "fighting commercial success" - but I bet they're not serious enough with their disgust to stop the software companies using their songs and paying them a shedload of cash for the privelige. guitar = good fun instrument Guitar Hero = good fun Game don't knock it just because it's good!
Posted by: purecheesescott on Thu Jun 25 04:55PM | Report abuseI think if you really asked all musicians and groups that have their music featured on these games they'll think it's pathetic. Yeh most may stay quiet as the payout is likely huge but it goes against everything any hard-working artist has worked for in their careers: writing, learning and performing music since they were 10 in their friends garages and schools.... I wonder what other great hobbies and skills along with musical instruments we can corrupt and zombify the kids with? They already play tennis and "exercise" inside on their own with a Wii... hmm, what other pastimes can we hole kids up in their darks bedrooms alone with? What about "friend hero" where they can interact with PC friends and go to the park, that way they never have to leave the house, learn anything or speak to anyone!! PERFECT
Posted by: marcojoceph on Thu Jun 25 05:25PM | Report abuse