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No Doubt Suing Activision: Guitar Hero Controversy
In recent years, the lines have blurred between successfully marketing your band and being a sell-out. In the past, having a song featured in a commercial was something you wouldn’t see from legitimate bands, but times have changed. With fewer and fewer people listing to the radio, fewer concert venues that people can go to for cheap, and the total lack of music on channels like MTV and VH1, bands have looked elsewhere to get their music to the people. Respected bands are putting their songs in TV commercials, TV shows and movies, greeting cards and even video games. The last is the biggest trend at the moment.
I don’t know how many people have told me that they only know a certain song by The Rolling Stones or The Doors because it’s on Guitar Hero. Sadly, it’s true. In an attempt to stay relevant, bands are jumping at the chance to be featured in Guitar Hero and Rock Band games, yet now some are complaining that they don’t like how they are represented.
Back in September, Courtney Love and Nirvana fans expressed outrage that an avatar for Kurt Cobain, once unlocked, could be used to sing any song on the game. So in theory, you could have Kurt sing a Bon Jovi song. Yeah, I know. That’s just wrong. Now No Doubt is suing Activision, the maker of Band Hero, because the avatars of their band can be used to play the songs of other groups. The band argues that Activision has turned their avatars into “a virtual karaoke circus act.”
Now, I supported Gwen Stefani’s lawsuit years ago over an unauthorized dance remix of the ballad “Don’t Speak,” but isn’t the band being a little too sensitive here? I mean, they licensed their likeness to a video game and suddenly they’re worried about their image? About not being taken seriously?
I realize that the lines separating marketing and selling out have been blurred, but in the world of the cool sex, drugs and rock & roll image, there is nothing less rock & roll than having your band put in a video game for kids to play along with, pretending they’re in your band. And I say that while acknowledging that three of my favorite bands (Aerosmith, The Beatles, Metallica) have had an entire Guitar Hero game to themselves.
So what do you think? Does No Doubt have a case? And for that matter, was the use of Cobain wrong? Do you play Guitar Hero or Rock Band and if so, have you become familiar with bands by playing it? Has your perception of any of those bands changed by virtue of their appearance in the game?
Posted by thoughts_jeremy on 2009-11-05 09:12:19 | Rating: | Views: 78
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