Rant: Why I Hate Guitar Hero & Rock Band

Written by Marc DeAngelis

Monday, 06 July 2009 14:14

I spent hours upon hours clearing Guitar Hero and Rock Band songs on Expert, swinging my "guitar" around my neck and playing behind my head. Damn, I loved those games. But now my blood boils at the mention of them. I'm not going to complain about the false sense of musicianship the game gives to non-musicians or how they rip off Guitar Freaks; I'm going to gripe about something much more petty. Hit the link to find out why I hate Guitar Hero and Rock Band.

I, like many, am very selfish with music. Telling me you're a fan of one of my favorite bands is like poking a cattle prod into my ribs repeatedly - I'm sure to lash out rather quickly. If you haven't paid your dues, you better not claim to be a fan. I know, I know - I sound like a complete asshole, but I'm sure at least some of you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Laik OMGZ we totally love Refused lol!!1!

So what does this have to do with guitar games? I'm glad you asked! You see, the earlier Guitar Heros and the original Rock Band were almost all about mainstream music. The only obscure bands featured in the titles were ones that had to be manually unlocked. To be honest, I wasn't even mad when I realized that Every Time I Die's "The New Black" was an unlockable in Guitar Hero II.

My hatred was sparked, and is best illustrated, by the inclusion of Coheed & Cambria's "Welcome Home" in Rock Band. At first, I figured people would just pass over the song as filler, but I was wrong. Back when I worked a retail job, I had a Coheed jacket and wore a Coheed sticker on my nametag. I never got comments on them before Rock Band, but sure as shit, after that game came out, co-workers and customers began professing their prog rock fandom.

Second Stage Turbine What?!

The straw that broke the camel's back, and that inspired me to write this article, was when I went (with very low hopes) to see Terminator 4. Before the movie, a trailer for a CGI movie played. About halfway through the trailer, guess what song began playing. As "Welcome Home" blasted through surround sound, I yelled out, "I'm going to fucking kill myself." Thankfully the sound was so loud that no one heard me.

I've come across more band news recently. Brand New, Underoath, and Thrice were all added as DLC to Rock Band. If the same thing happens to these bands (even though Underoath and Thrice kind of suck now) I very well may go insane. I just hate it when my favorite bands become popular, and it looks like guitar games are doing this even better than Hot Topic could. Like I said - it's a petty reason to hate Guitar Hero and Rock Band, but what can I say? Hopefully the guitar fad is nearly over.

Comments (37) Add Comment

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written by Hukimato, July 06, 2009

You're kidding, right? I just don't see how can it be seen as a bad thing. It's bad that your favourite bands get the aknowledgement they deserve? And therefore actually get some money for doing what they really like? That's bad?

Good thing not all the fans are like you. Band wouldn't get far if they were.

-1

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written by Daniel Lloyd, July 07, 2009

i agree with Hukimato. if my favorite bands songs were on Rock Band i'd flip and buy them asap. if they ever put out Rock Band: The Smiths or New Order (or both in one!) i could die happy.

i get the point, but it just seems like a "I heard them first, now they sold out" rant.

but i dig the Refused caption. lol.

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written by Deviation, July 07, 2009

Oh no, that obscure music I liked has become popular! Now I'm not hipster cool and better than everyone else for liking it!

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written by Utopaline, July 07, 2009

Sorry Marc,

That is total BS dude, a band that you love all of a sudden being popular is not a bad thing. Not a bad thing for anyone. It's good for the people who discovered their music(yeah it may have taken a video game to do it, but maybe they had never had the wonderful opportunity to hear this band before) That would be like a friend of mine invents something that I love, then doing an infomercial and selling tonnes and I get mad at all the people that bought it.

I have friends in bands, and if any of them made it, or got new fans due to something happening in their favor, I would spend that energy being happy for them, not pissed.

But, if it makes you any happier, I don't like Coheed & Cambria at all. So you can remove the cattle prod

Utopaline

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written by Oni, July 07, 2009

This. You've hit the nail on the head, my friend.

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written by Karoline Jakobsen, July 07, 2009

WOOOOORD! You gotta hear this story! (It's about Coheed)

So I was watching Coheed play in Oslo I absolutly love them has since SSTB came out! However, me and my boyfriend was waiting outside for some pic's and autographs, and we got some good to with mike and claudio (the others where a bit late) anyway, when Claudio came out it was hysteria!! Ppl went mental over him and this one girl in particular got Claud to sign his name 17 places on her body (ok, maybe over saturating a bit but you catch my drift) Then, after some time she went away to a nearby coffee place, while she was there the one and only Travis came out to greet, and he had left when she came back.. feeling sorry for the girl (ok, I didn't) I was "kind" enough to mention to her that she just missed Travis! And the answer she responded with made me wanna do some seriously work on her... her respond was:
- Travis? Travis who?
me: - Travis Stever, the second guitarist in the band!?
her: - Oh, I don't know who that is... and she said it with this dumb smile and just shook her head, like I was the dumb one!!

I'll NEVER forget that girl... jeeeez...

Greetings from Norway smilies/cheesy.gif

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written by mt, July 07, 2009

When you chastise others (who according to you didn't pay their dues) for liking a band, you are doing the very same thing as them.While they only now like the band because they are popular enough to be on rock band, you only like the band because they are/were "indie" enough. What someone else thinks should have no bearing on your enjoyment. This may seem harsh, but it was only written to prove a point. I'm sure you are a cool dude, and actually like coheed. But my point stands.

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written by watshisface1226, July 07, 2009

I see where you're coming from. I've loved Coheed since i first heard Second Stage Turbine Blade, and love pretty much every song they've put out. When i got Rock Band i was really psyched to be able to play Welcome Home. I love the fact that they're fan base is growing larger, I just don't like the fact many people are professing their love for the band while not bothering to dig deeper into the catalog because I think the first two albums are some of their best work. I wouldn't write off the whole series though.

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written by ♫♫Ambellina, July 07, 2009

I completely agree with you in the sense that I hate people for being "bandwagon" fans and only liking a band because they have music in these games. I hate the fact that the song Welcome Home is everywhere now. I like the fact that I have known Coheed and Cambria for a very long time, have all their albums, know all their songs by heart, etc etc. I want them to be popular and I want people to like them, but I don't want them to sell out...

however, I still love them, I still own the games, and I still love to play them

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written by www.concertconfessions.com, July 07, 2009

Wait, so Coheed and Every Time I Die (bands I have loved way longer than you) are obscure? I mean, I heard Coheed in a hockey video game long before Guitar Hero. Both bands have spent multiple summers on the very obscure Warped Tour (now in it's 15th year). How the hell are these bands obscure.

The wonderful thing about these games is that they are a gateway drug for our youth. Look at my pals kids. They were into hip-hop, but thanks to Guitar Hero, they were turned on to both legendary bands like Iron Maiden and the obscure acts like Coheed. One of them have even started playing real guitar.

So look, I get that you mad because your attention whore ass can't stand out when you re-stock the aisles at Best Buy, but instead of being negative for negative sake, try seeing the positive side of these games.

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written by Jeliam, July 07, 2009

Bandwagon fans should be shot in the face. There just as bad as a girl telling you she has only had sex with one guy and then you find out she has slept with half of your firends... They are both fucking slut... Yay for Sluts... NOT!!!

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written by krystapholyz, July 07, 2009

I don't mind people professing their love without digging deeper... it's the people who are complaining about "Welcome Home" without digging deeper. I've read several comments about how "Claudio's voice is too high. Amy Lee should do this song instead" and one even said this: "The instrumentals are good, but someone should do an adaptation with different lyrics/vocals" ven think Co&Ca really mind that.

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written by krystapholyz, July 07, 2009

My previous post didn't want to cooperate...

I don't mind people professing their love without digging deeper... it's the people who are complaining about "Welcome Home" without digging deeper. I've read several comments about how "Claudio's voice is too high. Amy Lee should do this song instead" and one even said this: "The instrumentals are good, but someone should do an adaptation with different lyrics/vocals"

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written by k, July 07, 2009

Ugh. It's not working. I give up. What I want to say is...WHO CARES?! I love Coheed & Cambria. I also LOVE the fact that my brother does too now, due to Rock Band. The end.

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written by kanryou, July 08, 2009

I'm going to agree solely for my love of Coheed. I was extremely happy when they made it onto the setlist for Rock Band(even though I prefer Guitar Hero). It angers me that the same people who made fun of me for listening to a "crappy band" (ignorant ex-boyfriend) now loves Coheed because of Welcome Home's appearance on the game. It's been hard finding fans in my area. Apparently Texas doesn't like them so much, but I'll save that for later. My point is, I agree. Pay your dues, or shut up. I don't go around saying I worship Metallica because everyone else does. That's stupid.

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written by Deanna Ulino, July 08, 2009

Your article made MY blood boil. Why?? You named Brand New as one of your obscure bands. Ok, hands off... that's MY band. I challenge anyone to find a bigger fan than me. As much as I'd like to see them succeed in their careers and fame, I take great pleasure in the fact that no one else knows who they are. It doesn't stop me from singing their praises or subjecting anyone who dares to ride in my car to locked doors and an intensive look into their artistic qualities, but, my point- I totally understand. I bet you are an aries ...

PS- I have tickets to go see Coheed & Brand New together in my hot little hand right now.

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written by twitter.com/timothywilliam, July 08, 2009

You are kind of an idiot.

Coheed finally gets the recognition they deserve. Sorry that the game took YOUR band.

I am sure I could quiz you on parts of the comic that would make your head spin. So yeah.

You are kind of an idiot.

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written by twitter.com/wolfshine, July 08, 2009

i know EXACTLY what you mean. when slipknot's before i forget ended up on guitar hero all the preppy fake ass tools all started saying they liked slipknot. one day i wore a slipknot shirt to school and one of them said " slipnot's awsome,i can play their song on rock guitar hero on expert" so i told him to listen to a song and he was all like "what the fuck is this?" and i told him it was slipknot and the song was people=shit. then he said " oh, well i only like before i forget" so i told him "then dont say slipknot is awsome 'cuz you only know and like one song douchebag"

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written by twitter.com/wolfshine, July 08, 2009

it's not the fact that they are getting recognized, it's the fact that people are saying they are "fans" of coheed when they only know the one song from guitar hero. it wouldn't be as bothersome if they said they liked that one song but the way they are saying it makes it sound like they listen to coheeds other songs as well. and thats the problem

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written by seanaryn, July 08, 2009

Okay so it's not just me who freaks out when someone claims to be a Coheed fan who's only ever heard that ONE song...lol. Pissed me off so goddamn much...I've Been to their concerts, I Have their CD's, I've loved them since I was 15----but that one song....ahhhh! Drives me insane.

Foaming at the mouth with rage, Sean

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written by ally!!!!!!!!!!!, July 08, 2009

i know exactly what you mean man, its all good, i to am very selfish when it comes to music. and i feel the same way about the coheed situation on gutait hero, i actually refuse to play it! HAHA

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written by alllyy, July 08, 2009

rock band****

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written by Pengalor, July 08, 2009

I'm sorry, but this article just makes you sound like one of those douches who think that as soon as a somewhat obscure band you likes becomes popluar, they are no longer good because they are 'sell-outs'. I love Coheed to death and they are my favorite band and have been for years. I have two friends who like them with me and yeah, liking them is pretty exclusive, but if they are getting their music out there, that's what matters. I WANT them to become famous because Coheed (especially Claudio) are perhaps the greatest musicians of this day and are the most original and interesting bands I've ever heard, and I want them to be as famous as they have always deserved.

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written by shizzy1427, July 08, 2009

this is pretty dumb. you shouldnt be upset that people actually like the band you've been listening to for "so long" now. All the bands you've named are hardly obscure and you make yourself sound like a poser by saying that. maybe find a real obscure band, or some local bands that you can have all to yourself and quit your bitching cause no one gives a shit about your lame ass sticker on your name tag.

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written by jenni, July 08, 2009

So exactly what are these "dues" that the "fans" are supposed to pay before they should be allowed to say they like a band?
Just because they haven't bought all the albums, been listening to them for years, and read all their comics doesn't mean they can't enjoy the band...whether it be the 1 song they've been exposed to, or every single piece of media they've ever put out.

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written by Alex, July 08, 2009

wow, a whole lot of people sure like to give their opinion, most of them as useless as yours.
music is the gateway to the soul, arguably the most emotive and powerful art form that we can comprehend, and all you idiots can do is gripe about this guy, who's just griping about nothing important anyways.
so what if people are introduced to music through a video game fad?
should it really matter where you hear about a particular band?
(real) music is music, any way you cut it.
so i say spread the word, any way you can.
stop bitching about posers and band exclusivity, and just enjoy the genius of claudio and co.
that's the whole point.

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written by Way Huger Snob Than You, July 08, 2009

You should hate Guitar Hero and Rock Band because they inadvertantly out yourself as somebody with shit taste when they made you admit that you like Coheed and Cambria.

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written by Secretone, July 08, 2009

Boy are hypocrites like you fun...

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written by 21:13, July 08, 2009

ok here's the thing. I love coheed and cambrid. they are by far my favorite band. I bought all 4 CDs and even spend a hundred bucks on the neverender set. but here's the kicker. I only know who they are because of rock band. sure I saw blood red summer on MTV once or twice but I paid no mind to them untill I heard welcome home on rock band and decided to dig a little deeper. It was only after playing rock band that I discovered how great they were and I consider myself to be a huge fan. all thanks to rock band. not all bad comes from music games.

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written by Anthony Celi, July 08, 2009

So you're saying you like a band less when they get famous? ... Wait, what happened to it being about the music?

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written by Utopaline, July 08, 2009

but he didn't say that "I very well may go insane. I just hate it when my favorite bands become popular, and it looks like guitar games are doing this even better than Hot Topic could."

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written by Nathan Smart, July 08, 2009

I prefer my favorite bands to have day jobs. I'm with you.

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written by ambellina, July 08, 2009

i dislike people who *only* like coheed because of rock band
they deserve more cred than that. but more fans is always a plus

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written by Mark(s), July 09, 2009

All you know about me is what I've sold you,
Dumb fuck
I sold out long before you ever heard my name

I sold my soul to make a record,
Dip shit,
And you bought one

All you read and
Wear or see and
Hear on TV
Is a product
Begging for your
Fatass dirty
Dollar

So...Shut up and

Buy my new record
Send more money
Fuck you, buddy

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written by Mike, July 11, 2009

You know, I started liking Coheed shorly after Good Apollo came out...I bought the albums, got hooked...liked the music a lot...then a funny thing happened. I got the Last Supper DVD...found out there was an underlying story and concept to the whole band...i DOVE HEADFIRST in...immersed myself...Its virtually the only music I listen to. Ive gotten all the comics, the sketchbook, read everything I can find on the mythos. I've now been fortunate enough to meet Claudio and see them live twice. I didn't like them when they were indie....i didn't know them. I was lucky enough to discover them and then discover the brilliance of the whole concept that completely drew me in.

Perhaps, instead of chastising someone for only liking one song, you could turn them on to the rest and open them up to the brilliance of the whole mythos. Then you are giving someone a wonderful experience they may not have ever discovered while helping Claudio get the exposure he so rightly deserves.

Wanting it all for yourself makes you a douche.

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written by Erik Hansen, July 11, 2009

Your awesome!!!! Coheed is my favorite band, and I'm also a Norwegian trapped in an American's body. Jeg er glad i deg!

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written by Karoline Jakobsen, July 28, 2009

what you mean your a norwegian trapped in an american's body? did your parents force you to be born there?? hehe..

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