White Stripes vocalist attacks music games
- Posted June 23rd, 2009 at 12:11 EDT by Mike Harradence
- 76 Comments
White Stripes frontman Jack White has expressed his disappointment over the fact children are becoming increasingly exposed to music via videogames such as Guitar Hero.
"It's depressing to have a label come and tell you that [Guitar Hero] is how kids are learning about music and experiencing music,” said White. While not wanting to dictate "which format people should get their music in" he continued, "If you have to be in a videogame to get in front of them, that's a little sad."
Ironically enough, White had recently signed a contract to allow his bands music to appear in the forthcoming Guitar Hero 5. Still, he wasn’t the only musician to criticise the franchise, with Led Zeppelin legend Jimmy Page arguing that music games don’t teach users anything:
“You think of the drum part that John Bonahm 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?" Page told a press conference.
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DarkVincent07
- 7:18am EDT - June 23rd, 2009
- 3
I get tonnes of new bands i like to listen to from games like Burnout and Rock Band, whats the problem??
Its just like watching a movie with a soundtrack you really like.. honestly what a waste of breath. -
SamuraiClarke
- 7:21am EDT - June 23rd, 2009
- 4
Well, the way I see it is Guitar Hero III really got me into rock music, after playing it so many times, eventually I came accustmed to the different artist and began listening to them.. Music games are good.
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BoyBettaKnow
- 7:24am EDT - June 23rd, 2009
- 5
White Stripes and Music games have something in common. They're both crap.
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O_G_H
- 7:40am EDT - June 23rd, 2009
- 6
Of course he's right, but he's also a hypocrite for allowing them to use his tunes. At least Prince said "...kids should actually learn how to play guitar..." and chose NOT to allow his music to be used. That's the definition of putting your money where your mouth is. There's a saying Jack White:
"Don't poop where you eat."
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PS3-The Ultimate Machine
- 7:57am EDT - June 23rd, 2009
- 8
Why do muscians get so worked up over a game that they're making so much money from?Nobody said it was a music simulator or a teacher for that matter,it's a fun game and that's it,if i listen to a good track in a game,i try to get that song for my collection,it's not like i turn that game on for the rest of my life to listen to that song,if anything it's good and EASY publicity for the bands,if they have such a problem,then they shouldn't put in their music in any game.
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Overcast
- 8:25am EDT - June 23rd, 2009
- 14
I don't even know where to begin dissecting this jacka**ery. I didn't know you had to be exposed to various forms of music in some special or specific format that would please Jack White. That's the stupidest crap I've heard in a long time. I've been exposed to various new artist I would have otherwise never heard of. God forbid MTV or the even the radio for that matter play anything that isn't 100% mainstream. That comment about it being sad to get something from a video game is the straw that broke the moron's back. It is obviously considered by him to be some lower form of entertainment or not a ligitimate art form. Then the comment about the drumming is a whole new level of stupid. I didn't know music soley existed to be challenging. Of course it can be and often is but considering his drummer he shouldn't focus on it. I don't even consider myself a professional in any regard (I've only been playing 2 years) and I'm much better than his.
If people want to have a good time PLAYING along to music they like and becoming exposed to new artist I don't see the problem. The only thing that statement accomplished was me losing whatever respect I had for Jack White.
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dh88274
- 8:29am EDT - June 23rd, 2009
- 15
I agree with the arguement that in the time a kid spends on mastering a song in guitar hero he could be learning to actaully play the song on a real guitar. But to me music games are just another way to enjoy music. It's no diffrent than listening to the radio. However what is sad is the MTV and VH1 hardly even play music anymore so how can you expect kids to find and experince music when "Music TV' and "video hits first" waste your time with reality shows.
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Overcast
- 8:43am EDT - June 23rd, 2009
- 18
@15 You are right some kids who have the actual potential to play a real instrument is probably being hurt by music games overall but not every single person in existence has that potential and not every single person in existence is going to cut and albulm. If they are having fun playing a game there is no harm in it.
@16 That sounds like elitist bullsh**. I have plenty of friends who can play guitar a lot better than the average person can and they still like to goof around with Rock Band and Guitar Hero. If I remember the person who had the number one score in the world in Guitar Hero 2 was a classically trained Gutiarist in real life. You sound just like Mr. White in the article- speaking with an unwarranted sense of self importance.
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Arimax |
Netherlord- 8:49am EDT - June 23rd, 2009
- 19
Dude has a point. All he really wants is for people to know the difference between reality and video games. Just because you fight well in Fight night round 4, Drive well in Gran Turismo, Know how to shoot the ball in NBA 2K, and Play a Guitar in Guitar Hero. That doesn't mean you can do all that in real life.
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berod
- 8:54am EDT - June 23rd, 2009
- 20
Any format is a good format if it gets people to like it.
I bet a lot of kids want to learn how to play the guitar or drums and listen to other things just because of these games.
And this is a game... FCOL, and games (not only video games) ARE a part of life. Without them we wouldn't train our brains.
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