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By STEPHEN HAMMILL | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2007

TAMPA For decades, average Joes and Janes have fantasized about the rock star life, but learning an instrument takes time. Learning how to rock on one takes even longer.

"Guitar Hero," a video game fantasy camp for would-be rockers, changed that. By pressing colored buttons in sequence, anybody could knock out the solo to "Sweet Child O' Mine."

With its third edition hitting stores next week, the game's buzz is at a fever pitch. We visited a recent "Guitar Hero" event at Crowbar in Ybor City and found these Tampa area riff junkies strumming out their rock 'n' roll dreams note by brightly colored note.

"WOLF," 31, Tampa

Favorite "Guitar Hero" song: "Killing in the Name Of" by Rage Against the Machine

Favorite music: "The hard stuff."

Favorite video game: "Asterix"

Quote: "If it's old school, I got it, dude. … I've got everything from Atari 2600 straight through until now."

LINDSAY INGRAHAM, 25, Tampa

Favorite "Guitar Hero" song: "Crazy on You" by Heart

Favorite video game: "I've played on lots of systems. I like the older ones."

Quote: "I like that you can use the little whammy bar, and I like the cartoon band. I think it's funny."

MATT BENNETT, 27, Clearwater

Favorite "Guitar Hero" song: "Killing in the Name Of" by Rage Against the Machine

Favorite band: Pinback

Favorite video game: "Tetris" or "Pac-Man"

Quote: "It's more fun than going to just see a band or just going to go to a bar. You can actually, like, get interactive."

CAVE McCOY, 25, Clearwater

Favorite "Guitar Hero" song: "Life Wasted" by Pearl Jam

Favorite band: Supertramp

Favorite video game: "I used to play them more. I don't have the time or coordination anymore."

Quote: "I'm terrible at ['Guitar Hero']." (Ironically, McCoy is the guitarist for local band GreyMarket.) "There's really no connection. … It'd be like having a five-fretted, single-string guitar, basically."

MITCH CRANE, 26, St. Petersburg

Favorite "Guitar Hero" song: "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses

Favorite band: Modest Mouse

Favorite video game: "Halo"

Quote: "It gets you up off the couch … It pulls everybody together."


Reporter Stephen Hammill can be reached at (813) 865-1523 or at shammill@tampatrib.com.

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