Classic rockers re-record tracks for Guitar Hero World Tour
Who says you can't teach old bands new tracks? (Insert groans from audience). Activision sent word today that the Guitar Hero World Tour track list will include three classic songs that have been re-recorded just recently. First off, MC5's 40-year-old classic "Kick Out the Jams" has been "updated and modernized" by MC5's Wayne Kramer, with help from Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell and Guns 'N' Roses Gilby Clark. The Sex Pistols will be offering up a newly recorded version of 1969's "Pretty Vacant" and Motörhead came back to the studio to re-record their 1979 hit "Overkill" for the game.
Activision is casting these re-recorded classics as a way for fans to get "a unique experience of old yet new legendary sounds." Still, we have to wonder if the decision might have had more to do with missing or incomplete master recordings, a problem that afflicted the "Who's Next" DLC that was planned for Rock Band. Either way, it's nice to see some classic rock stars coming together to support a thoroughly modern interpretation of their songs. If only they all felt that way.
Activision is casting these re-recorded classics as a way for fans to get "a unique experience of old yet new legendary sounds." Still, we have to wonder if the decision might have had more to do with missing or incomplete master recordings, a problem that afflicted the "Who's Next" DLC that was planned for Rock Band. Either way, it's nice to see some classic rock stars coming together to support a thoroughly modern interpretation of their songs. If only they all felt that way.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sora @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:40PM
I'd get this game, but Harmonix is the only one who caters to my needs with 17 versions of their game for the N64, which is the only console I happen to own.
syrik zero @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:45PM
Hahaha
Mischa @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:45PM
This is AWESOME. The only thing I'm worried about is how old some of these musicians are, can the MC5 really kick out the jams as well as they did a hundred years ago?
Levi @ Sep 4th 2008 2:56PM
I saw MC5 (or what's left of them) a few years ago. They don't have the same level of energy as they did in the 70's, but they still rock hard.
Hopefully, this new track will be sung by Mudhoney's frontman Mark Arm. He performed with MC5 when I saw them live, and restored a lot of energy to the band. That guy is a nut!
Kick out the jams motherfucker!
edgore @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:45PM
"The Sex Pistols will be offering up a newly recorded version of 1969's "Pretty Vacant"
Errrr...1977?
Neebs @ Sep 3rd 2008 7:46PM
The Sex Pistols WERE the true pioneers on punk if Pretty Vacant came out in 1969.
edgore @ Sep 3rd 2008 11:14PM
They were before their time before there was the time before their time...was.
Cesaria (Enjoys all systems, despite my reputation) @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:00PM
Ugh, hopefully "Pretty Vacant" isn't as atrocious as their re-recording of "Anarchy In the U.K." Any spirit and fire they had in the original was completely lost in the redone version.
Mischa @ Sep 4th 2008 3:46AM
NO FREAKING KIDDING
Ghen @ Sep 4th 2008 7:31AM
Exactly my point. Kinda like Dream on in GH:A, there's just no soul in the song. re-recordings of lost masters are as good as we can get I guess, but I would prefer to just leave them out entirely than ruin my memory of a good song.
ill trooper @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:01PM
I don't like it, no sir. The MC5 are an amazing band (or they _were_, would be more appropriate). Rob Tyner, the singer, has passed away and I don't get excited thinking about that amazing song being redone in some sterile Activision/Red Octane ProTools session. Eh, I suppose it's better than a cover.
vilkit @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:11PM
This is a real missed opportunity. They could have easily started a new Guitar Hero spinoff franchise featuring all Detroit bands.
Imagine Guitar Hero: Detroit Edition
MC5, THE STOOGES, THE WHITE STRIPES, & more
Cesaria (Enjoys all systems, despite my reputation) @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:13PM
I would buy GH the minute it came out if The White Stripes were included, although, it would be weird, seeing as there are only guitar and drums on most songs.
Jestersage @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:37PM
And it will be boring. Seven nation army is basically variety on a few notes, and the the drums... well, neversoft will actually make it more interesting. Screw accuracy if it means boring songs (and on a sidenote, when I cover songs on my guitar, I basically try to play as much as possible)
Cesaria (Enjoys all systems, despite my reputation) @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:39PM
Listen to "Ball and Biscuit" and tell me that it's boring. I rest my case.
Cesaria (Enjoys all systems, despite my reputation) @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:19PM
JOYSTIQ! Please please please PLEASE fix your comment system! I have to reload the page at least 192 times just to see the comment I posted. It will never deter me from enjoying your site, but it would alleviate a lot of stress.
J.Goodwin @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:47PM
Sometimes it's licensing problems. A band may not own the rights to the performances of their songs that are included on their records (owned by the record company).
One way to get around that is for the original artist to cover their own song, and sell the rights to that new performance.
Blue Oyster Cult (insert umlauts) did this on Cult Classic so that they could license Godzilla and Don't Fear the Reaper for use in the TV miniseries "The Stand."
Mike @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:49PM
Kick out the jams, mother****ers!
Richie @ Sep 3rd 2008 8:54PM
The Sex Pistols, eh? I always find it hilarious how hypocritical they are. "No, we're going to deny being inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, because that's the establishment and we'd be selling out. Oh, did we mention how we have a new CD coming out of our horrible reunion concert that we only did for the money? And did we mention that we're giving the rights and even rerecording songs for rhythm video game companies? But seriously, we're still feisty and rebellious! Really!"
Catoo @ Sep 4th 2008 5:42AM
To be fair they're not particularly hypocritical, they've never said that their reunion gigs were about anything other than money - their first reunion in the late nineties was called "Filthy Lucre" for that exact reason.
Also as for not wanting to be inducted to the Hall of Fame their reasoning was thus; "Once you want to be put into a museum, Rock & Roll's over; it's not voted by fans, it's voted by people who induct you, or others; people who are already in it."
David @ Sep 3rd 2008 11:41PM
*groans from the audience*
What a horrible pun.
I'm excited for this though.