On the weekend, I invited a bunch of people over for a Rock Band party. While the main aim of the event was to have fun and play the game as a group, I was also interested to see how it would all perform in a group of mixed skill levels, musical taste, and musical ability.
Overall, it was a pretty good success. Everybody had some form of experience with either musical performance or rhythm games or both (well, almost everybody). That meant we were all able to jump in straight away and play the songs we wanted to.
Drumming definitely comes across as the universally favourite instrument. It’s closest to the real deal without actually having to hold a tune. Nonetheless, the kickpedal gets to everyone eventually.
After a few hours (and beers), I forked out for some Microsoft Points and we went shopping for new tunes. We picked up a varied selection, learning something new about each other (who knew that Flip likes System of a Down? Or that there are people who still haven’t let go of their teenaged angst enough to acknowledge that there is good rock since Cobain put himself out of our misery?)
The note tracking in some of the songs is interesting, and (at least in my mind) somewhat counterintuitive. Oh, and don’t waste your money on the cover version of “Number of the Beast”. I couldn’t keep up with the song because the studio vocalist was so distractingly bad.
On the other hand, I really enjoyed Boston and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I’ll definitely pick up a few more of their songs.
Before people started dropping off, there was a bit of a competition to see how far people could get drumming on expert to Metallica’s “Blackened” and Nine Inch Nail’s “Perfect Drug”. I’m not sure if the beer made it easier, or just made it more fun.
Anyway, I had a really good time and will definitely be organising another one. I might even pick up GHWT and RB2 for added tracklists and fun.