Today, Activision announced that an Aerosmith-themed* edition of Guitar Hero, the cleverly titled Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, would be available in stores come June. The press release heralding the game’s launch contained a baffling quote from Steven Tyler, who said: “Any band that can go from ‘Don’t Want to Miss A Thing’ (Aerosmith’s #1 smash hit) to the ass-kicking ‘Sweet Emotion’ to the cheekiness of ‘Love in an Elevator,’ to the classic ballad ‘Dream On’ shows why Activision chose us to headline this game based on the diversity of the Aerosmith catalog. Not only is songwriting a bitch, but then it goes and has puppies.” Odd dog-related metaphors aside, what is up, Mr. Tyler, with naming a freaking Diane Warren track before anything else from your catalog? Clearly you need some help picking the right songs for your game, so after the jump, I’ve selected five songs that are definitely ripe for inclusion. (And no, “Sweet Emotion” and “Walk This Way” aren’t on there because we pretty much can figure that the songs you trot out for every TV appearance will be front-and-center, probably in multiple versions.)
5. “Mama Kin”
Will likely be included for the Slash cross-promotion factor, but still worthy of mention.
4. “Voodoo Medicine Man”
Say what you will about the second half of the band’s career, but this song kicks ass. (Plus, Brad Whitford deserves at least some credit.)
3. “Lord Of The Thighs”
Including this song will probably result in some sort of ESRB sanction, but that’s rock and roll. (Or at least it was in the pre-Diane Warren days. Hmph.)
2. “Lick And A Promise”
Aerosmith catalog licensers take note: The drum part means this would also be an excellent fit for Rock Band.
1. “Nobody’s Fault”
Not only is this song absolutely killer, you can chidingly sing “sorrr-rry!” at your friend when you’re demolishing her at the game.
Dream On With Guitar Hero: Aerosmith [Kotaku]
* Bands that have collaborated with and “inspired” Aerosmith will also be included in the game as well.
SEASONS OF WITHER, BITCHES.
Also, Pump kinda rules.
@tigerpop: haha, that was my #6!
Maybe it’s because I’m from Boston. But the amount of attention this band gets around here is ridiculous. I see them as nothing more than a crappier Stones knock-off, from stealing a ton of bluesy riffs and sleazing them up, to the ugly-ass singer with a huge mouth. Not a fan.
@Hamster-Style: And by ‘around here’, I mean in Boston. Not Idolator. People in Boston worship the ground Aerosmith walks on.
Great songs, but I don’t know if I could handle that much Aerosmith in a Guitar Hero game. One of the main reasons I play the game is for the varied musical styles and bands represented.
There will always be only one true Aerosmith video game in my heart: REVOLUTION X!
[www.thejadedgamer.net]
Any chance that “Sick as a Dog” makes the cut?
@Al Shipley: haha beat me to it!
I like that list. Unfortunately, the real choices will probably involve songs that had Alicia Silverstone in the videos and Walk This Way.
Last Child, ftw and such.
@Al Shipley: +1
Come on! Instead of working hard towards getting the bands people REALLY want:Floyd, Zeppelin, The Beatles, CCR, Jimi, etc… They instead decide to make a buck and make an Aerosmith game, which is just strictly Aerosmith. Jeez, I thought we were getting killed enough with the download prices.
They need a Queen version. They are much more diversified than Aerosmith.
@Hamster-Style: Agreed. I think this band has two or three good songs. They have to be one of the most revered bands with the sketchiest output. I mean, “Love in an Elevator” and “Dude Looks Like A Lady”? And don’t give me that “the early stuff was good” nonsense. It was OK, but it’s not even what the band is that famous for. They’ve had WAY more hits in their crappy period (AKA everything from the 80s on). Barf. This might be where the pendulum swings to Rock Band for good. This is shovelware, pure and simple.
@LORDofDANCE: Now you are talking!
I like Aerosmith, but this is overkill.
Also: Honkin’ On Bobo.
@LORDofDANCE: Most Queen hits are too piano-centric to make an entire game out of the band, but I’d love to see them use “Keep Yourself Alive” or “Stone Cold Crazy” or “Sheer Heart Attack” or . . . on second thought, I agree 100 percent.
@tigerpop:
That’s what I mean. They had so many songs that were hits back in the day, but haven’t remained as popular as some of their other songs. I mean, everyone knows Bohemian Rhapsody and We Are the Champions. Along with We Will Rock You, Another One Bites the Dust, and You’re My Best Friend. But they seriously have so many songs that would be hits for other bands…it’s just ridiculous.
And who wouldn’t want to play some of the guitar riffs in Bohemian Rhapsody?
I could understand this horrible game if it were a rock band spin off. I still couldn’t excuse it. But I could at least see where they’re coming from…but is the guitarist from Aerosmith good enough to warrent a whole game emulating him?
God, Aerosmith, ugh.
Season of wither has to be on this. Eat the rich would be pretty damn fun to play…on a fake plastic guitar.
@tigerpop: Damn . . . “Tie Your Mother Down,” “Brighton Rock,” “Dragon Attack,” “I’m In Love With My Car”–can we get this thing into production now?
I think this is great. My first thought when I complete GH1 and was waiting for 2 was that they need to start making band-centered expansion packs, just in order to keep it coming. I’m not the biggest Aerosmith fan in the world (though I do like their early stuff and do not mind their Geffen years at all), but a success for this would encourage other bands to consider it (e.g. Books’ Two fer Tuesday cannon-ites). I had figured it would be KISS to be the first one to do it. All that plastic surgery must be inhibiting Gene Simmons’ ability to smell money.
These should be $2 downloads not a whole new disc. Further proof of the suckage the GH series is becoming.
As for bands we need, what about AC/DC?
I guess I don’t blame them, but this exemplifies why GH is now about coasting on the name and shafting people. They could easily release this as downloadable tracks for GH3 for $15-$20, but instead they have an entirely new game that costs $50. The Tyler and Perry graphics probably don’t justify the price difference.
De L’onion:
Next Generation to Take a Pass on Aerosmith
BOSTON-In an address made to the rock-and-roll community Tuesday, the nation’s children aged 5 to 14 announced their intention to opt out of being influenced, stirred, or otherwise affected by the rock band Aerosmith. “We are aware the classic American band has, since their rise to fame in the 1970s, repeatedly come out of nowhere to penetrate popular culture, be it with their 1986 comeback duet with Run D.M.C., the 1993 film Mrs. Doubtfire, which prominently featured ‘Dude Looks Like a Lady,’ or their 2001 Super Bowl performance with Britney Spears,” said a spokesman for the so-called Generation Z, 13-year-old Max Hersch. “But we are respectfully declining. No Aerosmith for us, thanks.” When reached for comment, Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler called attempts to evade the band “futile,” adding that the rock quintet’s influence over the young set is just one “Dream On” duet with Hannah Montana away.
@Epaminondas: @Audif Jackson Winters III: You know, quite a few of us are still using PS2s. I know I need to upgrade soon, but it’s not quite time to write off that whole system. It’s not like I have a Dreamcast.
MUST HAVE “BIG 10 INCH……………..RECORD”
I wouldn’t mind playing “Walking the Dog”!!!
@Hamster-Style: I agree, Bostonian allegiance to Aerosmith is a bit ridiculous. I once puched a dude in the jaw for talking smack about Toys In the Attic… ’cause Aerosmith are wicked pissah and don’t you forget it.
This is dumb. While Rock Band is releasing 3 new songs every week. Guitar hero continues to release almost no DLC at all and at horrible prices. Why pay 50 bucks for the same game when you can play rock band? Guitar Hero is dead my friends.
You guys are definitely missing some important, kick-ass Aerosmith songs:
*Rats In The Cellar
*Toys In The Attic
*Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
*Taste Of India
*Helter Skelter [an awesome cover of the Beatles tune!)
I may not be such a big fan of their more recent stuff, but their past library has more than enough tunes for its’ own GH title.
Fine, if we’re going to go around proclaiming things, both guitar hero and rock band are inferior to frequency and amplitude. And, for that matter, donkey konga where 1 hit=1 hit rather than 1 button triggering an entire riff. But, I feel that rockist naysaying is the wrong approach to the happiest thing on earth: video games. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind your hateful hating on music. But video games!?!
Dream On……YESSSSSS!!!!! I highgly doubt that I will get this though…
@SwedishChef: i figured that toys in the attic would be on there. rats in the cellar was definitely under consideration.
i figure their beatles covers will be their own expansion pack, ha ha.
@Maura Johnston: “I’m Down” was the best thing about Permanent Vacation. I know that’s not saying much.
honestly nobodys fault is the greatest aerosmith song! awesome choice!!!!
It’s official, Activision has killed another franchise. I have nothing against Aerosmith, though.
I’m a “Spaced” man myself. Although I did have a dream where I got chased by guard dogs over a hillside as “Lick and a Promise” blared. An appropriate soundtrack.
Am I the only one going “wtf” at the idea of an Aerosmith Guitar Hero? Seriously. Why.
My favorite “guitar-driven” Aerosmith number HAS to be “Let the Music Do the Talking,” from the 1986 comeback album, “Done with Mirrors.” Electric! The link below doesn’t really do it justice, to how it sounds on vinyl, cranked WAY UP!
+ Watch video
For a Queen selection, I used to LOVE to go wild when I was first learning guitar, on “Death on Two Legs.”
+ Watch video
Kinda grainy on those two, but better late to the party than never, right?
Love Hurts.. seriously
Though what happened to the U2 themed Guitar Hero?
I really hate aerosmith, so I’ll just wait for GH4.
Where’s the love for “Draw The Line?” That opening riff is one of my air guitar favs…
well dont forget thought that there will also be some other songs on this one that aerosmith says inspired thier music so it wont be only aerosmith on this game and besides its guitar hero what do you expect theyre wont be any zeppelin or jimi on there probably until the actual guitar hero IV