Jack White To Aspiring Artists: Ditch The Video Games

Many artists have made it plain that they're not big fans of the music/rhythm boom in video games.

The latest is Jack White of the White Stripes, who told NME that aspiring musicians should lay off the video games and "cut three strings off their guitar." When asked to name three things every new artist needs when first starting out, White's first piece of advice was to "quit playing video games;" this comes after last June's comment about how Guitar Hero is having a negative effect on the music industry. "It's depressing to have a label come and tell you that [Guitar Hero] is how kids are learning about music and experiencing music." The fact that the White Stripes certainly benefited from having their "Blue Orchid" song in Guitar Hero 5 is almost irrelevant; it just seems that such an argument is pretty darn narrow-minded. I seriously doubt most individuals are deluding themselves into thinking they can be professional musicians just because they're good at Guitar Hero or Rock Band. What I'm sure of, however, is that playing such games can instill a fresh love of music in a person, and that's a positive, yes?

I think the point, Jack, is that as time goes on, music changes and how we experience that music changes. There was a time when classical music was the only option and to this day, some still believe it to be the only true form of music. Things change. The only way Guitar Hero hurts the music industry is if all those who like the franchise in question are brain-dead and mentally challenged, and run around with their plastic guitars going, "I'm the next Eddie Van Halen!" Thanks for the insult, Mr. White.

4/7/2010 9:18:44 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (96 posts)

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Highlander
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:41:23 PM
Reply

I agree with you Ben, and I disagree. The ones I think are vulnerable here are kids. The ones who know nothing of music and experience it through games like Guitar Hero. Sure older gamers have been to concerts, listened to radios, bought CDs, perhaps even played a real instrument or two. But for kids growing up, they should not experience their music and culture through the distortion lens of video games. Can you imagine the ersatz culture that would result from generations of kids who experience previous culture predominantly through video games?

6 up, 3 down

Alienange
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:51:37 PM

I'd say kids today know more about real instruments than you give them credit for. When I bring my daughter to piano class, there's not an adult in sight.

4 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:53:24 PM

Hey man Oregon Trail never steered me wrong.

7 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 10:06:18 PM

Cannon Fodder FTW!

1 up, 1 down

Kowhoho
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 10:32:53 PM

Band class is mandatory in middleschool where I am and iPods line the pockets of every student. Kids are getting their music in other places.

3 up, 0 down

Naztycuts
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 12:34:49 AM

@Highlander

I understand your point about things 'kids' shouldn't learn about in videogames I just don't think music fits in this category, Sex, Drugs, and Violence do. I think any way you experience music is good as long as you experience it and I'm no parent but I think Guitar Hero is a better way to introduce a kid to Slayer for example than going to a concert unless you want to scare them out of liking that genre of music (Which would be cruel! To each his own! except ICP I hate them! LOL) or let them start partying! I've discovered quite a few bands I've grown to love from both the GH & RB series. I'm not saying GH should replace Guitar lessons but to hear a song you've never heard before and immediately like it is one of those simple joys no one can explain or experience for you. I didn't thumbs down you either by the way I prefer talking about differences in opinion over clicking a button :)

3 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 10:32:26 AM

I agree that kids should be limited in what they see and with what they play.

However, given the proper guidance, I still think something like Guitar Hero can only help a child become more interested in music in general. It requires a parent to remind them that it's just a game and that if they really want to play, they should take guitar lessons. But it's the game that would've instilled this desire in the child.

It's like when you were a kid and it seemed like every parent was forcing their children to take piano lessons. Would they not have been more interested if they had had "Piano Hero?"

1 up, 0 down

Wage SLAVES
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:41:28 PM
Reply

As much as I really dislike The White Stripes I suppose he has a point. Both activities take a BIG chunk of time. I don't know about you guys but I never game for less than an hour at a time. If I can't set aside at least an hour I won't fire up the system.

Guitar takes even more time than that to get good. I spent years of 4hr+ days of guitar and it almost requires it to become even decent. Though I think Guitar Hero has done a GREAT job to get our kids off the mainstream rap culture. I never liked that thug gangster culture.

Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 4/7/2010 9:43:12 PM

11 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:51:05 PM

Great point about getting kids out of the thug or gang culture. Unfortunately I think we have a ways to go on that score.

7 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:52:58 PM

Not a problem. Take it from me. I've played games since NES and i owned a guitar shortly after that. I've been on tours, made some albums and some money and had fun. I did it for the music. Not get on MTV. So what hes saying is bs in my opinion. He doesn't really know what hes talking about.

Last edited by Jawknee on 4/7/2010 9:53:23 PM

4 up, 1 down

piratedrunk
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 10:29:52 PM

Same here Jawknee

I have done some touring and made a couple albums but never once felt like video games were somehow impacting my ability to do any of that. If anything I had a relatively easy start thanks to some supurb hand-eye coordination.

It makes me a bit sad because I am actually a big fan of his music.. but this is as you said BS.

4 up, 0 down

Lemon_Saint
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 11:23:29 PM

Same here as well Jawknee

I've had every major system since the Odyssey, played them all to death, and still had plenty of time to play "realee-real" instruments, (I still play ... have an album rolling out worldwide on May 4th). Did I play the Guitar Hero games? .... HELL YEAH I did! I hadn't been as addicted to a video game as I was when I first touched Guitar Hero in a long time preceding ... it blended my two favorite activities together.

I can go on benders for weekends at a time playing a game, and still practice three nights a week, gig on the weekends, work full time, and take classes. (I'll have time for sleep when I'm dead). My passion for the medium in no way affects my life adversely.

Mr. White is talking out of his ass ... (or maybe it's the "in" thing right now for celebrity musicians to bash guitar hero).

6 up, 0 down

JackC8
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 7:37:42 AM

Agreed. I can understand playing video games where you're a race car driver, or an astronaut, or a secret agent, but a guitar player? You can buy a perfectly good entry level guitar for less than the price of a game + plastic toy controller. And as anyone who's played an instrument knows, the fun and satisfaction one gets from playing real music on a real guitar is a thousand times greater than you'll ever get from pushing buttons on a toy.

0 up, 2 down

coverton341
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 10:20:50 AM

I think it is all about moderation, that or not sleeping on weekends.

I game, I make electronica. I can lose hours on either one. I can actually lose more time producing tracks than gaming though so I don't see my gaming as a huge detriment to my production of music. Also, gaming is not a creative process and anyone who has played an instrument, made a track or at least attempted to with production software, or sat and wrote a song will know that music is an extremely creativity intensive art form. You can't throw yourself down and bang out a song in an hour.

Actually, I guess some techno "artists" do that but I wouldn't consider them artists per se.

Anyway, that's just my two cents. I can game any time but to produce tracks I need to be in the right mind set and really feeling it if you know what I mean, and when I am in that frame of mind all I want to do is lose myself in hours of sampling, mixing, arranging, and tweaking until I have something I can consider beautiful.

0 up, 0 down

Neurotoxiny
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:44:18 PM
Reply

I can see how gamers can take this as an insult, but I think what he's trying to say is that it's a lot tougher and a million times more satisfying playing a real guitar than repeatedly stroking colored buttons on a plastic controller.

I think that people don't realize it's actually extremely difficult to get good at an actual guitar and being good at Guitar Hero doesn't mean you're a good musician... It means you're coordinated...

Personally, I think that Guitar Hero is super fun, but it does kind of piss me off when people only know a song if it was in Guitar Hero. I can't tell you how many people go by saying: "Hey, a Rolling Stones shirt! I only know them through Guitar Hero."

Not to mention, no one buys CD albums anymore. Darn Itunes and Limewire or Frostwire or whatever.

To wrap up my super long comment, I don't think Jack White is trying to offend anyone, he was merely offended by the fact that it seems like the only place someone can experience good music nowadays is in a video game or movie soundtrack. No one ever goes to CD stores anymore :(

White Stripes rocks!

Last edited by Neurotoxiny on 4/7/2010 9:45:06 PM

5 up, 1 down

fatelementality
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:46:37 PM

What's a CD?

3 up, 0 down

inkme101
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 1:13:17 AM

they were out before blu ray i think......

5 up, 0 down

Banky A
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 4:30:14 AM

Nah the 'CD' is the youngest of the Devil's spawn.

1 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 4:59:12 AM

i buy CDs ever now and again. im gonna pick up the new ACDC album (its got their classics on it and i dont hav many of those.)

0 up, 0 down

Imagi
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 11:01:14 AM

I buy CD's, proud to have never bought any music with DRM, or that has gone through compression methods.

1 up, 0 down

Oxvial
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:47:38 PM
Reply

I dislike Guitar Hero but White Stripes also suck .

7 up, 3 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:50:49 PM
Reply

lol the White Stripes suck and Jack is a tool.

Why only play 3 strings? Cause it's too hard to play all six? They remind me of that other crappy band who only played 3 strings from the 90's. They covered that Video Killed the Radio Star song i think.

Also, the only hobby i enjoy more then games is my music. Sure i didn't become rich and famous and have my bands music featured on Gaytar Hero but we did well for ourselves, made some good music and had fun doing it.

So Mr White, just shut up and sing.

8 up, 5 down

Alienange
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:52:59 PM

Play 2 strings

Last edited by Alienange on 4/7/2010 9:53:04 PM

2 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:57:54 PM

there are 6 strings on the guitar not 5.

or were you talking about that 90's band?

0 up, 3 down

Qwarktast1c
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:58:29 PM

even worse than the white stripes..... the dead weather

ugh... that band is awful. i can't believe dean fertita (QotSA) was in that band....

1 up, 3 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 10:05:36 PM

Yup, White is a talentless hack.

5 up, 5 down

Deleted User
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 12:33:08 AM

I'm good with my ol' 1 string

1 up, 0 down

fluffer nutter
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 3:16:19 AM

And the best play seven strings.

1 up, 1 down

DemonNeno
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:54:04 PM
Reply

Eh, I see a different light on the situation. I taught myself to play the Guitar at a young age. I very HIGHLY doubt I'd be anywhere near as good as I am if it weren't for the fact that I did learn at a young age. People in their youth are known to become more fluent with such hobbies.

I think spending the time a kid would spend on Guitar Hero is lost time for that kid with a real Guitar.. Or with any musical instrument. That's assuming they want to learn how to play a Guitar.

Jack White is one cocky dude. He ripped on our local radio station (Q101) for playing his song for listeners because it hadn't been officially released yet. His reason? It hurts his sales.. To listen to a song on the frickin radio?! Ooook dude, put the (not so) peace(ful) pipe down.

Recently, the guy went after the US Air Force (i believe it was the Air Force) for using one of his songs and claims that it "hurts" his sales.

2 up, 0 down

MyWorstNightmar
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:11:54 AM

Demon, while I am not a fan of Jack White, they didn't object to the Air Force stealing of the guitar rift due to "hurting" their sales. It was that they didn't get permission, and likely permission would not have been granted. Who ever put the ad together for the Air Force on the tax payers dime should be canned. First shot, then canned.

This is from the White Stripes: “The White Stripes takes strong insult and objection to the Air Force Reserves presenting this advertisement with the implication that we licensed one of our songs to encourage recruitment during a war we do not support,” the Stripes write. “The White Stripes support this nation’s military, at home and during times when our country needs and depends on them. We simply don’t want to be a cog in the wheel of the current conflict, and hope for a safe and speedy return home for our troops.”

2 up, 0 down

DemonNeno
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 6:45:20 PM

There you have it, I was wrong. I was aware that they didn't have the rights to the song and that it had been very mildly altered.

I still hate the stuck up little bastard! Not that I think his talent is an absolute waste, I think any talent is better than none. I just can't stand cockiness towards people who support him. Not that musicians OWE their fans anything on a personal level, but they shouldn't be shot down either.

0 up, 0 down

MyWorstNightmar
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 7:19:27 PM

LOL, there are definately some eccentric musicians out there. Some of them take themselves far too seriously!

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:55:06 PM
Reply

It's true Ben, most people are not "deluding themselves into thinking they can be professional musicians just because they're good at Guitar Hero or Rock Band."

It is sad though, that professional musicians on the other hand ARE deluded into thinking that video games are hurting their art.

6 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 10:00:00 PM

If anything, i think it would encourage them to get a real guitar. I had friends at my old job who had kids who played Guitar Hero. They would always come to me and ask what kind of guitar they should buy their kid because hes been playing Guitar Hero and wants to play guitar.

3 up, 1 down

MyWorstNightmar
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:13:56 AM

Sad thing is they probably played the guitar for a week, then put it aside to play Guitar Hero instead, cuz they are better at it.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:19:19 AM

heh, maybe. haha

0 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 3:53:32 PM

The son of a friend of mine (he's eleven, I think) likes to play Rock Band/Guitar Hero, but that didn't stop him from taking up the piano or from practicing it every day. I don't know if it encouraged him, but it certainly didn't discourage him.

I think White et. al. are dead wrong. If you're born to be a musician, if things just "click" when you pick up an instrument, you're going to become a musician regardless of whether or not you enjoy Rock Band (or other video games for that matter)...and RB might just serve as a "gateway drug".

Myself, I never felt that love for playing which would make me want to practice, so I just noodle every now and then. Rock Band gives me the fun--the fantasy--of being in a band without needing to do the hard work. But, if anything, it has made me want to buy a real set of drums.

Last edited by Fane1024 on 4/9/2010 3:54:50 PM

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 9:56:00 PM
Reply

While I dislike the guitar hero fad, this douche sounds like he's knocking all video games. A person shouldn't do that and think they won't incur my wrath.

8 up, 1 down

Darthvintage
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 10:19:26 PM

Sooooooooooooooooo

Im calling kratos or you?
Last time i called him to get a guy he bashed in his eyes.

What was his name again. Oh Yea. Poseidon =l

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 10:27:18 PM

Perhaps I will just release the Kraken.

4 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 11:05:38 PM

Please do!

0 up, 0 down

Arvis
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 9:00:09 AM

Hey hey, Jawknee, you stole LV's line!

-Arvis

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 9:39:13 AM

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:29:25 AM

Sorry Limited. You can have the next one. :)

0 up, 0 down

SvenMD
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 12:24:55 PM

I'm starting to think that World really DOES have a Kraken....and one day he is going to release it.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 1:39:48 PM

You never know Sven ;)

0 up, 0 down

gumbi
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 10:14:26 PM
Reply

get off it jack. these games don't hurt the industry, they help it, immensely. plenty of relatively unknown bands have gained great exposure through gh and rb. lots of people have taken up guitar because of the games. and i don't think anyone with half a brain beleives they're musicians because they're good at a video game.

I've purchased a guitar and drums in the past 2 years and RB is largely responsible for it (i also have a musician friend who was a big influence). I don't have the time to devote to them now that i would have had as a kid, but i'm coming along, and enjoying it. I have no delusions, i'll never be a rock god, but if i can strum some tunes with my kids on the porch and jam with my friends that's good for me.

and i'm absolutely okay with younger people learning about the greats through video games. if GH or RB introduced you to the stones that's awesome! your parents should have but whatever, if they were too busy listening to devo and pat benetar then video games have done you a great service introducing you to real rock music.

man, i like the stripes and all. but i'm just so freakin sick of all the video game hate from everyone who doesn't play video games.

5 up, 0 down

Jed
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 10:27:12 PM
Reply

I think he is just talking about Guitar band/Rock hero, as opposed to all videogames.

I think the games would only encourage kids to pick up a real guitar. Every time I play a music game I want to pull out my Dean as soon as I'm done. And there is no way that having his music in the game would do anything to hurt him.

IMO the kids that just play Guitar Hero probly wouldn't be the ones to get into real instruments in the first place.

0 up, 0 down

Zemus101
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 10:27:13 PM
Reply

If it wasn't for Guitar Hero I wouldn't have discovered some of the bands I now listen to today. I think it's a great way to combine two things I love, music and gaming.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 11:07:32 PM

Yea, i don't like playing Guitar Hero but i think any exposure for bands is good exposure. Its keeping some of these older bands alive and fresh from younger music lovers. If anything MTV has done far more damage to music then Guitar Hero.

5 up, 0 down

NeoHumpty
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 7:03:43 AM

How does MTV have anything to do with music?? I thought they just showed reality tv and old movies.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:28:52 AM

There was a time when they played music all day 365 days a year. Those days are gone.

0 up, 0 down

tes37
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 10:33:19 PM
Reply

I don't like Guitar Hero, but I don't see anything wrong with people playing it. It's sold and marketed as a game, not as a musical instrument. I personally would rather hear Jack White play Guitar Hero than the trash he calls music.

9 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 10:39:49 PM

hahahaha

4 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 10:02:26 AM

Tes come back to the PSN, it misses you.

1 up, 0 down

tes37
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 4:35:36 PM

I haven't gone anywhere LV. I've just been tired and should be back on this evening.

0 up, 0 down

Mavfan321
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 11:09:05 PM
Reply

I play guitar, I dislike the Guitar Hero games. Jack White is pretentious, I do feel kids should learn about music through exploration not a video game however.

3 up, 0 down

Reccaman18
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 11:09:23 PM
Reply

Maybe he's mad at the fact that his band sucks? If anything, guitar hero and rock band both help younger kids discover music like rock and metal. They might think 'Man, I wish I could really play that' and then pick up the instrument and start jamming. I'm not too sure what his problem is with video games, but whatever.

And who are the White Stripes? Exactly.

7 up, 1 down

MyWorstNightmar
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:18:31 AM

"And who are the White Stripes?"

Well they are well known enough to have songs on Guitar Hero, and be in an article written on the PSX, if that helps.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 @ 11:22:16 PM
Reply

The only place I want to see white stripes is on the roadway in front of me.

Or on a skunk that's well over 500 yards away from my location(no offense to real skunks though).

Last edited by BikerSaint on 4/7/2010 11:22:40 PM

7 up, 0 down

Banky A
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 4:31:51 AM

With Alicia Keys!
I know she's allowed to diss games :L

0 up, 0 down

___________
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 1:55:11 AM
Reply

funny how these people are always dissing guitar hero and co for "wrecking music" but than their mind changes so quickly when there offered that check.
isent it amazing how many statements, and opinions can be changed with a flimsy piece of paper?

3 up, 1 down

MyWorstNightmar
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:21:10 AM

As long as a bank accepts that so called "flimsy piece of paper", and deposits the number written on said flimsy paper.

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 2:21:17 AM
Reply

I have no problem with people playing those type of games. I have a problem with people playing those type of games and thinking they know a thing or two about music and instruments.

I don't claim to know about how to shoot a gun or fly a helicopter simply because of GTA.

Last edited by LimitedVertigo on 4/8/2010 2:21:34 AM

4 up, 0 down

MyWorstNightmar
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:28:10 AM

But I bet you would know how to slay a dragon if the need arose.

1 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 4:07:35 PM

Harmonix (the makers of Guitar Hero 1 and 2 and then Rock Band) was created NOT to make video games but to encourage people to take an interest in music. The method they chose was to make video games.

While jamming on Guitar Hero doesn't equate to playing a real guitar, I don't think we can be entirely dismissive of Music games in terms of teaching people about music.

0 up, 0 down

fluffer nutter
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 3:04:01 AM
Reply

Jack White pretending to be an artist/musician is what is hurting the "industry".

6 up, 1 down

Banky A
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 4:33:23 AM
Reply

Seven Nation Army's like the only thing I found catchy.

It's all you've got Jack.. and some nice guitar skillz.

0 up, 1 down

Lotusflow3r
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 5:22:06 AM
Reply

Prince said similar things but, in a much better way in a rare interview he did with Tavis Smiley in 2009.

He was offered millions but, principle is always 1st for Prince and turned it down.

"I just think it's more important that kids learn how to actually play the guitar, It's a tough instrument - it's not easy. It took me a long time, and it was frustrating at first. And you just have to stick with it, and it's cool for people who don't have time to learn the chords or ain't interested in it. But to play music and create something from nothing is one of the greatest things and i wish it on every body." Prince said.

I would give my opinion but, i'd be here for a long time.

Last edited by Lotusflow3r on 4/8/2010 5:24:09 AM

5 up, 0 down

Banky A
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 7:16:50 AM

You are Prince, can't fool me bro'.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:01:05 AM

Princes music isn't really my thing, but the man has more talent in his pinky finger then White has I'm his entire body. Good god the manshe can play guitar! ;)

no seriously though. Prince is an amazing guitar player.

Last edited by Jawknee on 4/8/2010 11:02:09 AM

3 up, 1 down

MyWorstNightmar
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:22:53 AM

And he can make love on a motorcycle. I have never done that.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:27:29 AM

I tried. It was a disaster. Love making on a motorcycle should be patented by Prince.

0 up, 0 down

www
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 5:25:12 AM
Reply

I only care about Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and he gets stoned enough he doesn't have the time to make comments like this. I hardly hear musicians advising people to stay away from some form of entertainment.

Of course I get Jack's point, but who the hell should believe he's a legend playing with those plastic guitars unless they're deluded kids. All am saying is Jack, go get yourself busy in making some hits.

1 up, 0 down

Aerifale
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 6:37:16 AM
Reply

@Jawknee

Where can I here your music!! :)

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 10:50:19 AM

I had two bands. One was a punk rock band that I played bass in and the other is more indie rock that I played bass in.

The first:

www.myspace.com/hittheswitch

The most recent:

www.myspace.com/thetitancourageous

or

http://amaze.fm/artist/RayRay/

we were supposed to play SXSW this year but the singer had some personal issues he had to deal with so we put the music on hold for now. The band I toured with was the punk band. We were signed by Nitro Records. That was when Dexter Holland cared more about music then making hot sauce and brewing beer. They are currently still active. I left the band cause I wanted to try other music. Hence The Titan Courageous was born.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:24:06 AM

a note: our guitar player in the Titan Courageous name is Jonathan Sonmore. That's not me. haha. My name is Ray.

I took Jawknee from a NOFX song called Jaw, Knee, Music. Just so no one gets us confused. ;)

0 up, 0 down

SvenMD
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 12:38:40 PM

HA!! I saw that name and thought it was you initially....thanks for the clarification.

Anyway, I like the sound of TTC better than HTS.

Also, I watched Food, INC in HD from streaming netflix last night. Picture quality was INSANE....thanks for the help yesterday.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 12:55:28 PM

Ha thanks. I like the TTC music more too but the HTS is too much fun to play.

And no problem. Anytime. :)

0 up, 0 down

JackC8
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 7:18:59 AM
Reply

As someone who's played guitar for over twenty years, and played in a bar band for a dozen years, I think he makes a good point. There are thousands and thousands of kids out there who would like to get involved in music - they used to learn to play an instrument, but now a lot of them just play guitar hero. I don't think it has a negative effect on the industry, as the industry is s*** and musicianship is a thing of the past. But as far as kids growing up - they used to have fun learning an instrument, getting together with some friends and forming a little band, maybe playing at a party or two. One in a thousand of them went on to play in a bar band, maybe even made a living at it. One in a million went on to be a rock star. Now they all just sit in their room with their plastic toy.

Kind of sad.

1 up, 1 down

NeoHumpty
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 7:26:45 AM

Most people know that sales of Guitars went WAY up at Guitar Hero's peak. Let's give those that bought them a decade or so to practice. I'm betting that in about 15 years you'll be reading artist interviews that say these games got them interested in playing.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 10:57:56 AM

@Jack

Yea I don't agree with your assessment. After the Guitar Hero fad, older people I knew from work with kids always asked me for advice on what kind of guitar to buy their kid. I think most kids will come to understand it's just a video game and not a real guitar.

Bands like Mr. White and all these screamo bands are what's hurting music.

Sorry PirateDrunk, I know you like the White Stripes. :)

Last edited by Jawknee on 4/8/2010 10:58:22 AM

1 up, 0 down

piratedrunk
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 6:38:59 PM

Haha no worries man. I can like the music without liking the person behind it.

On a hilariously unrelated note, I checked out the stuff you linked and dig the sound :P

Especially Hit The Switch. That sound took me back having been in a couple punk bands.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 7:15:12 PM

Too true. I like Propagandhi and love hamburgers. haha. NOFX is my favorite band and Fat Mike is a great guy(living in LA it was easy to meet him, they played HollyWeird like once a month)but i don't agree with hardly anything he believes in. But his music is great.

Don't have to agree with their message to appreciate the music.

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NeoHumpty
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 7:22:47 AM
Reply

I gotta add that I do respect Jack's love of music. I'm betting this is getting blown up to sound more serious than he really meant it. If you want to learn an instrument it does take time, and if you are serious about learning, the more time you spend playing games is more time taken away from your instrument practice.

Every friend of mine that can actually play guitar would rather play the guitar when it's time to jam, not a game. Learning an instrument requires constant practice and experimenting.

But, Jack, I have a 6 year old in my house that knows all the words to "On The Road Again" and "Black Magic Woman", and he didn't learn them from listening to the radio. Maybe you should just be happy that they have found a new way for artists to make some money off of their talents. In this age of piracy, Guitar Hero may be onto something.

4 up, 0 down

DeathOfChaos
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 8:42:53 AM

And people can pirate Guitar Hero games, lol. They're still coming out on the PS2, remember?

Last edited by DeathOfChaos on 4/8/2010 8:43:10 AM

0 up, 1 down

NeoHumpty
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 9:06:37 AM

Fair enough, but I'm pretty sure a lot of people steal mp3's that don't steal Guitar Hero or Rockband tracks. My point being that I have 2000 songs on my Blackberry. None of which I payed for by grabbing them through various ways. However, just by buying 3 Guitar Hero games and some optional songs (not including the plastic instruments, mind you) I spent well over $150 into the industry.

0 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:30:28 AM

Not unless is the 360 version! MS isn't known for their security. Rather their lack of.

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DeathOfChaos
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 8:46:53 AM
Reply

Well, I've met a few people who thought they could start bands because they play Guitar Hero. I know someone who thought you could learn chords and everything by playing it, too. It does delude people from the reality of things. Brenden Small, the creator of Metalocolypse, played their song Thunderhorse and could beat it, and he created that song, lol. Point being is that some may not see it, but Guitar Hero IS in a way brain washing people into thinking that picking up that plastic guitar means they can play guitar... and I've heard people say it.
But I've also seen people play guitar hero and be inspired to LEARN the guitar...which usually doesn't go well because they're used to the plastic guitar...

0 up, 1 down

Arvis
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 9:02:30 AM
Reply

Snob.

Is he going to tell kids to "stop reading books" or "stop drawing" or "stop doing anything else you like and ONLY learn an instrument?"

-Arvis

3 up, 0 down

Trarman
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 9:09:04 AM
Reply

I actually like Jack White and think he's a very talented musician. However, his opinion seems bass-ackward to me.
Long ago I used to play guitar, but it was more of a chore than anything, so I quit. Then Guitar Hero made it fun again, and actually inspired me to pick up a real guitar again. Now I'm playing daily and have the game to thank.

1 up, 0 down

sonic1899
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 9:12:31 AM
Reply

I didn't know Guitar Hero was supposed to teach people how to be a Rock Star. I thought it was just a game were you use an over-sized guitar-shaped controller to groove with the tunes of your favorite tracks while hitting corresponding buttons for combos. I guess I was wrong. :O

Oh well; Mr. White proves just how disjointed some views on videogames are.

3 up, 0 down

Jiggy
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:11:30 AM
Reply

Umm...I bought a real guitar just to learn "Possum Kingdom" from GH2. And now I play a real guitar 4X as much as I do Rock Band. Jack White needs to get a clue.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 11:25:48 AM

The first song i learned on the guitar was Come as You Are by Nirvana. That was when Cobain was still alive. :)

Last edited by Jawknee on 4/8/2010 11:26:04 AM

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Lemon_Saint
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 2:02:21 PM

@ Jawknee:

Wow! Same here! Followed by "Smoke on the Water" ... (Easy tunes make you feel like you are getting somewhere when you are starting out) ...

Last edited by Lemon_Saint on 4/8/2010 2:02:43 PM

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Naga
Thursday, April 08, 2010 @ 6:27:40 PM
Reply

Going all Fergie huh?

Its a ridiculous claim why ditch video games? doesn't even make sense.
I suggest that his music is weak compared to Nightscape and Rhapsody but thats Power Metal.
How can video games damage you music career?

0 up, 0 down

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Jack White To Aspiring Artists: Ditch The Video Games

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