Death Metal Salvation

Mothers of the world, here's the solution to all your woes. Guitar Hero. No joke. After the week from Dante's innermost circle of hell, I was inspired to borrow my neighbor's Playstation and Guitar Hero II game last night. As of noon today, I'd won the game (on Medium, but still!)

There is something about death metal that makes you toughen up and stop whining. I'm no longer the doormat mother, I'm now the stylishly anorexic, "Johnny Napalm." Butt wiper by day, rocking the universe at my sold out concerts by night.

My husband Spike and I are trying to decide whether to buy a Wii and Guitar Hero and if possibly it will make our lives better. Neither of us subscribe to the "money can't buy happiness" theory. If Guitar Hero can keep me from melting in a puddle of self-pity when I'm stuck at home with sick kids, it's worth the price. Plus, it has the unexpected benefit of being a great workout. I was stinky and sweaty after my two hour jam session last night and I have a feeling my poor choir-director arms have met their match.

Okay, confession. This post is mostly just to take the pressure off of poor Spike so that people stop submitting YouTube videos. I think he's going to get fired from his job because of all the videos he has to go through today. Speaking of that, Spike, who is our winner? Actually, let's have two winners. Let's hear it Spike.

Comments

Spike said…
i am going to watch all the videos starting tomorrow night (the contest doesn't even end until today). and i am not going to announce the winner publicly, because i don't want everyone else to snipe at me for their choice (also because i plan on selecting myself as the winner so i can finally get my hands on that awesome giraffe you made).
Spike said…
i meant "my choice" not "their choice"
Sarah said…
What nonsense is this? Of COURSE you are going to announce the winners on the blog. There is nothing that gives my ego a bigger trip than the public acceptance speech.
Calidaho said…
Hubby's cousin plays Guitar Hero on Wii with her 7 year old daughter. I think it is a bonding thing for them...so, it can be a tool to build a stronger family. What better reason can there be?
Anonymous said…
I firmly recommend both a Wii *and* Guitar Hero. We got both, and it's the best stress relief I can describe. I've been addicted to Mario Galaxy lately :)
Yeah, I was thinking it was pretty ambitious to not put a cap on how many links people could post. Maybe you should just take the first video from each person.
Unknown said…
I've heard Rock Band is awesome too... by my husbands recommendation.... like guitar hero but it has the whole band. Including vocals if you want. Or even a drum set... talk about work out :D
Unknown said…
BTW try it out first... it's pricey but worth it as far as he is concerned :)
Jessica G. said…
I second the Rock Band recommendation! My husband's co-workers spend most of their time discussing the game.
Unknown said…
If you've already beat guitar hero (even on medium), Rock Band might be just the thing. Either way, what fun!
The Wiz said…
I want a Wii so bad. I want Guitar Hero. I want to be you.
Carina said…
Guitar Hero is true, amen. Other Half and I rock whenever we feel the need for speed. The game is so romantic, we ordered another guitar and previous version for Valentine's day.

I like that you can play it while the kids are sleeping. I must say, though, that I adore Rock Band too. As awesome as Rock Band is, you can't play it in a small house with sleeping children.
Shiloh said…
Hollywood. You deserve a Wii. Send Spike out now to get you one.
Andreared said…
I have to say "Amen" to rock band as well. We have it for the XBox 360, and it is SO much fun. I'm not really into video games, but this one has me hooked. My husband loves that I'll finally play a video game with him! It is worth every penny to be able to channel your inner rocker. Plus, you get to play bass, guitar, drums or sing -- such a blast!
Karen said…
I have no desire to try Guitar Hero. I fear I'd become addicted.
Kels said…
I'm guessing you were playing Guitar Hero 1... dude I totally love that Franz Ferdinand song... I still probably can't play it at the highest level, but medium is so much fun...! I also like Sharp Dressed Man... (I've only played this at friends' houses... I think I should finally bite the bullet and get one for myself!)
Anonymous said…
I am going to be the last person in the world to get a Wii. I just know it.
I LOVE guitar hero! I can play pretty well on medium, and some on hard. We don't own a game system, but I borrow my parents playstation 2 sometimes and play guitar hero against the hubby. (I always win) I want a Wii so bad too! They have the cutest games and it is so much fun!
Kate said…
We can't live without our Wii, probably one of the best buys we've made. It has made our small family stronger and more united. But for ultimate happiness, we do need to invest in guitar hero.
Jillybean said…
Guitar hero sounds fun, but I don't think we will get it anytime soon, because the playstation is currently in time out until the kids get their homework done and their rooms clean.
I'm hoping this happens sometime in the next 7 years.
S'mee said…
o.k. I just need to ask...

Thor and I saw the buzz and thought we'd jump on board, until we saw how much those things are! Yowser!

Most of you are young with little kids and (if you are like we were) littler income! We're hitting our prime $$ making time and we still can't find the cash. How do you people do it?

This is a serious question! I would really like a wii or guitar hero or the band thingy, HELP! Tell me how you afford it! Is there some secret sale I don't know about?
S'mee said…
and btw calidaho, seriously, that icon! I'm losing it every time I see it! hilarious!
Sarah said…
Actually, Kels, it was II. Is III much different?

Good question, S'mee. We can't afford a Wii right now - it seems like you can't buy them for under $500 and that's just the platform, not the additional games. I'm guessing there is a short supply right now so we are going to wait until the game hits retail value again (around $250) and then buy it. As far as being able to afford it, we've been saving up for our $800,000 L.A. starter home for 4 years now and are feeling like we deserve to indulge ourselves a bit with some of our cash. Because who are we kidding, we're never going to be able to afford the house.
Calidaho said…
Thanks s'mee. A chorus from heaven sang when I found the pic...the perfect representation my Idaho/California union.
Susan M said…
Best video game ever. Well worth the money.

As a hopeless music nerd, I am compelled to point out that there is no death metal in Guitar Hero.
Sarah said…
So what IS death metal, Susan? I have no idea.

Azucar, good point about Guitar Hero being more commodious to apartment living. We were thinking Rock Band at first, but heard that the drum set was pretty loud and wouldn't work for after hours partying. Plus, I have no idea where we'd keep all those drums during the day.
Susan M said…
Death metal.

Death metal.

Death metal.

Not exactly easy to do on Guitar Hero. Although my kids have hacked Guitar Hero and added custom tracks, including 20 minute Dream Theater songs.

The Rock Band drums are really loud but you can mute them---by wrapping the drum pads with some material. My kids use socks.
The Wiz said…
They are around $250 here. Still expensive, but I'm thinking Christmas, maybe? If I can find one before then.
Julie said…
I have Guitar Hero 1&2 for PS2 and GH3 for Wii....

Seriously you need it.
I love the Wii!
Val said…
Guitar Hero III is the best on PS3. We totally love it! We have the Wii also but don't have GH3 for that. Go get your self a Wii and Guitar Hero.
That's pretty good you passed the medium level. I can't seem to get through a couple of the songs.
S'mee said…
ah, Hollywood, I feel your pain. I have been saving for that beach house since the early 70's...still live in the freakin' desert! grrr.

Good luck on those games!
Anonymous said…
I read your blog all the time because you're so entertaining. And this is a subject near and dear to my heart. First of all, I LOVED Guitar Hero I and II. And then I discovered RockBand and haven't spent any time on GH III.

In the interest of full disclosure, I actually work for the company that distributes RB, so I do "sell it" for a living. That said, if you have to choose one or the other, then RB is a no-brainer. That's because it's everything GH is, PLUS drums and vocals. You can choose to play with just a guitar, or just 2 guitars. You could sing solos wihtout instruments, etc. It's up to you to decide how to play.

AND, I heard there are 'silencers' available for the drums through a third party seller. Not sure who sells them, but they're little pads you attach to the drum pads that silence the knocking sound.

AND, although there's no official release date announced, it will soon be available on the Wii, which is much more affordable than PS3 and X360 if you don't already own a console.

And my tip for finding a Wii at regular retail price is to make friends with the clerks in the electonics department at your local big box or specialty retailer. They'll tell you when their next shipment is coming in, what time the driver usually delivers, etc. Basically if you're in the store at the right time on the right day, they usually go to those 10 or so people.

And one last little known fact for anyone looking for a RockBand deal: Sam's Club sells it $20 cheaper than most retailers - $149. That includes one drum set, one guitar, one mic and the software.

Good luck and ROCK ON!
pflower10 said…
I've kicked my kids "A's" and the "A's" of all of their friends on Guitar Hero II!!


YES! I rock!
Unknown said…
Ok, so you can order the Wii online at Target or Wal-Mart (I know I know.... Voldemort!)for a much more reasonable price, of course on EBay and such they are going to be outragious. I have a friend who bribes the clerks with $10 each to call him right when they come in. That way he comes in buys ALL of them tips the clerk per Wii and immediatly puts them up for sale on EBay.... Shady little freak isn't he??
Anonymous said…
As an actual guitar player, I used to not like the idea of Guitar Hero. I mean, if you're going to spend time getting good at it, then do the real thing, right?

I've since changed my tune, so to speak. I've played, and while it's nothing at all like the guitar, it is a lot of fun.

And it has exposed my younger kids to music in a fun way. It busts me up to hear my 8-year old, in his little sweet child voice, singing "IIII AAAMMM IIIIROOOON MANNNNN!"

And it also did my heart good to hear my 10 year old say to his friend, "My dad can play this song for reals!"
Unknown said…
I can't get past "Hit me with your best shot."
Unknown said…
Ah, Guitar Hero. The salve for all wounds. I'm sorry you had a rough week, but I'm glad you're coming out of the woods.

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