PETER HUOPPI, Free Press
Guitar Heros pack video game tournament
By Ashley Matthews
Free Press Staff Writer
April 30, 2007
SOUTH BURLINGTON -- This weekend, a different kind of hero was in town -- Guitar Hero.
Hundreds packed into the Showcase Lounge at Higher Ground on Sunday, carrying colorful, toy-like guitars and sporting rock star garb. The aspiring celebrities competed one on one, rocking out to the popular video game.
Guitar Hero uses a guitar-shaped controller to simulate performance of popular songs. Players press buttons and flick levers to play notes that scroll down the screen.
"It's really interactive -- songs you grew up with, songs that you love, that you can actually simulate like karaoke transferred to an air guitar realm," said Justin Pelletier of Burlington, who said his favorite Guitar Hero song is "Jessica" by the Allman Brothers.
The 26-year-old graphic designer came to the competition in ripped synthetic leather pants, a stonewashed denim vest and a black wig with purple cellophane sparkles. He was named winner of the best costume contest.
More than 150 people entered the competition, and many more crowded into the room to watch. It wasn't long before the room reached maximum capacity and organizers turned away would-be competitors and spectators.
As players took their turns, crowds crushed behind them, loudly offering suggestions and advice. Others practiced, holding their guitars and hitting the appropriate buttons for whichever song happened to be scrolling on the screen in front of them.
Just like famous musicians, many players had unique styles. Some lunged and ducked, others stood up straight or even sat on the ground. They stared at the screens with intense concentration, some moving their eyebrows, mouths or tongues as they clicked the appropriate buttons.
"It's a lot of pressure," said Jeff Breuer, 13 of Essex Junction. "It gets boxed in on you because everyone's like talking to you to go into star power and everything -- it really gets inside your head."
Breuer colored his hair hot pink for the competition.
Rachel Keller, 16, of Sheldon was one of the few girls who competed, clobbering her competition in the first round. She said Guitar Hero is a great pastime for rainy days, and it's even fun to watch others play.
"I think it's cool, but some people are like, 'You should play a real guitar instead,'" she said. "But, I think it's cool."
Contact Ashley Matthews at 651-4811 or amatthews@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com.
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20070430&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=704300318&SectionCat=NEWS05&Template=printart
2 comments:
Not to worry you newbie, You can't barely make it off of Medium. When you can go expert and you start to windmill and color your hair, then I'll start to worry.
CLub 51 should be our Mt Everest!!!
I got through another 3 songs on medium last night. Including Jessica. I tried to do "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight" on hard solo, but I just don't seem to be able to get the fretwork down.
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