Krist Novoselic (who looks older than I imagined) tells an amusing ancedote (via): 

More recently, while walking through a one-stop shopping center, I encountered the Rock Band 2 video game. It was set up on display for customers to try.

I know about Rock Band, because Nirvana has some songs on it. I had never tried the game before, so I gave it a go. I worked through the menu and found the song “In Bloom.” I picked up the little guitar-shaped controller and hit the stage. I knew the bass line to the song, of course, but I couldn’t quite master this new, different way of playing it.

The game reminded me of Space Invaders. I tried to hit the notes cascading down the screen, but could barely keep up.

Meanwhile, this kid was watching me fumble with the game. I became self-conscious and took the controller off. I handed it to him, and he proceeded to jam on the song—and was really good! He had no idea that I was the musician he was emulating on the game, and I didn’t tell him.

Life goes on: I walked away to buy some paint supplies, groceries, and other items from the store.

comments

1. rabbitnsnake on January 16th, 2009 at 8:32 pm

   I am not a musician, but I can agree with Krist that it does make me focus on a different parts of songs that I would have ignored before. I found out recently that I carry a pretty good rock beat because of rock band drumming.

2. Mike Dresser on January 17th, 2009 at 7:05 am

   Haha. I’ve found this to be true with my music school buddies; none of us is the expert we’d imagine ourselves to be picking up the game. It makes me a bit sad, though: all those hours mastering the game Rock Band, and one could have learned the A/D/G/Em and had their own garage “Rock Band” well on its way. Kids these days!

3. Ash on January 18th, 2009 at 2:07 am

   Krist should feel proud to leave us with this new musical legacy….

Leave a Reply