Overheard@E3: 'I feel kind of bad that we're turning people into drummers'

by Richard Mitchell { Jul 15th 2008 at 7:45PM }

When we sat down to get a fresh look at Rock Band 2 at the Harmonix E3 booth, the musical members of the dev team were happy to tell us that many people who try Rock Band wind up pursuing real instruments as a result. When discussing the new drum trainer in Rock Band 2, Senior Designer Dan Teasdale told us, "I feel kind of bad that we're turning people into drummers." Teasdale, as it turns out, is a ~~bass player~~ bassist.

Tags: ea, electronic-arts, harmonix, mtv, mtv-games, overheard, rock-band, rock-band-2

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

mr mobius @ Jul 15th 2008 7:50PM

If that would have came from a guitar player who can manage 6 strings (and 6 string bass doesn't count) then it'd be acceptable but a bassist? WHAT?

blah @ Jul 15th 2008 8:12PM

Well by your logic you must clearly bow to me on all concerns of wisdom, as i play the harp, slightly more than 6 strings there...

Plus singers and drummers are clearly useless, they dont have any strings at all!!!! Oh praise be i am not on of those sorry fellows...

Maybe you should go away and learn what it is to be a musician before you go making comments like that, you merely make a fool of yourself, and make a bad name for whatever intrument you happen to play.

mr mobius @ Jul 15th 2008 8:16PM

And go learn what sarcasm is before you decide to post. I realise that each instrument has it's own merits. The drummer and bassist are commonly the butt of jokes though, just because they can be.

Heh @ Jul 15th 2008 8:57PM

The only reason bassists and drummers are the butt of jokes is because both lead guitarists and frontmen tend to be egotistical.

mr mobius @ Jul 15th 2008 9:07PM

Thats what I mean.

Haggard @ Sep 8th 2008 2:29PM

Learn to sound sarcastic before angrily shouting "IT WAS SARCASM YOU IDIOT" at people.

Heh @ Jul 15th 2008 7:51PM

I don't feel bad.

Makes it easier when us guitarists are looking for a good drummer. ;D As of late, I've had to record all the drumming for my band because we lack a talented drummer. It'd be nice to see more of them around.

Brett from Atlanta @ Jul 15th 2008 8:38PM

Isn't that the truth, I have to do the same thing. Guitarists are a dime a dozen these day, but I can never find a decent drummer for my band either...

sipsip @ Jul 15th 2008 7:52PM

good stuff

OhJustSomeRandomGuy @ Jul 15th 2008 8:00PM

I'm sorry Mr. Bass Player.

Maybe one day you'll learn how to play an instrument.

Sabbath @ Jul 15th 2008 8:33PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snREpSAHfEg

So easy yeah?

OhJustSomeRandomGuy @ Jul 15th 2008 8:36PM

Just because playing an accordion is hard doesn't mean it impresses the chicks.

And just because playing a bass is slightly more difficult than walking around and not tripping over cords doesn't mean it impresses chicks either.

Heh @ Jul 15th 2008 9:03PM

Question: what do you know about any of this? Are you in a band? Are you a bassist? Or are you some dbag spitting stereotypical crap?

One of my best friends is mesmerizd by the bass. She's quite the looker, too, so it isn't like it's some fat and ugly chick.

Most women are actually drawn to deeper tones, so, technically speaking, the bassist gets noticed the most. Sadly, the bassist usually isn't as "pretty" or "outgoing" as the guitarist/frontman, hence the lack of girls. But trust me, they get them. ;)

OhJustSomeRandomGuy @ Jul 15th 2008 9:08PM

I was being a smartass in response to the anti-drum smartass comments. I figured nobody was taking anything seriously.

Crash Bandi - is shot @ Jul 15th 2008 8:01PM

What do you call a guy who hangs out with 3 musicians?

A bass player!

jcd @ Jul 15th 2008 8:17PM

well... I wouldn't call a drummer a musician either

niindre @ Jul 15th 2008 8:02PM

I'm still shocked there wasn't a surprise or two held back about RB2 for E3.

I figured either:

1) they would announce a major exclusive with either The Beatles, Led Zep, Doors, Pink Floyd, etc.

2) they would announce a new instrument - a one octave keyboard perhaps (which would have gone nicely with Doors/Pink Floyd exclusive - hint hint). ;)

David @ Jul 15th 2008 8:07PM

As a bassist, I tend to play the drums on Rock Band a lot more. So I can feel what he's going through.

Bassist guys. Not "bass players". Insult us right. We don't play fish.

blah @ Jul 15th 2008 8:14PM

Hehe, plus one for your my friend, only a bassist knows the trouble of being redirected to fishing websites... :D +1

OhJustSomeRandomGuy @ Jul 15th 2008 8:15PM

Psh. That's a compliment. If you guys could play fish we'd respect you more...just because you were pissing off Aquaman.

Richard Mitchell @ Jul 15th 2008 8:43PM

Oh, bassist it is.

bassman730 @ Jul 16th 2008 12:30AM

You have no idea how many people on XBL and PSN think I like to fish and say my name wrong.

And as a bassist I also play the drums a lot on Rock Band as well as the vocals. I probably play guitar/bass the least. And at least in my band the drummer and I really aren't at the end of jokes often. Probably because we're a lot better than your average garage band. If only we could get our s*** together and get recording.

Matt Naylor @ Jul 15th 2008 8:15PM

It's true, I'm one of those people. Started playing drums about two months ago.

Matt Naylor @ Jul 15th 2008 8:16PM

Can't play a fish because you can't tune one.

mr mobius @ Jul 15th 2008 8:19PM

Maybe they'll add a triangle peripheral for those who weren't able to play guitar but felt the drums were too basic for them.

TsuKata @ Jul 16th 2008 10:28AM

No, need more COWBELL not more triangle!

MuToiD_MaN @ Jul 15th 2008 8:26PM

I count myself among the ranks of those who started pursuing a real instrument because of Harmonix.

halfrobo @ Jul 15th 2008 8:27PM

Yeah, all the garage band guitarists around here have been drooling at the prospect of a flock of new amateur drummers who they can bend to their will. And by "their will" I mean "just play a basic rock beat and a cheesy fill, drum slave!"

Brett from Atlanta @ Jul 15th 2008 8:40PM

Let the newly lit flamewar between bassfanboys and drumfanboys begin!!!

horngreen @ Jul 15th 2008 8:48PM

I feel worse knowing I let somebody take my picture making those stupid ass hand gestures.

OhJustSomeRandomGuy @ Jul 15th 2008 8:52PM

It's all right. You're a bass player. We understand. :)

Ass Masterson @ Jul 15th 2008 9:06PM

Did they mention that the people they 'inspire' to play instruments generally play for two weeks, don't hear anyone cheering or throwing money at them, and quit?

Playing a real instrument is hard. And you can insult drummers all you want - people don't dance to guitars. They dance to the drumbeat.