Have Rock Band, will travel.

Ever since we bought Rock Band a couple of weeks ago, I've been hooked - especially on the drum set. I've discovered that after a certain amount of coaxing, my feet and hands can indeed work independently. I've also figured out how to avoid injury while drumming, and am proud to say I have been shin-split-free for three weeks. However, whenever I play with "newbies", I volunteer to sing. I like to give others the opportunity to try the instruments, and I've found that singing is the most awkward role for someone that doesn't know the song. This past weekend, however, I had another reason to grace the microphone with my dulcet tones...

I went to a friend's house in southwest Ohio over the weekend. She and her husband live in a quaint and quirky community full of brick houses holding happy families. As we decided to migrate to her basement for an introductory round of Rock Band, I couldn't help but notice a metallic sound coming from the house next door. My friend explained that the kids next door have a garage band. Until then, the thought that someone outside of the house might hear me singing had not crossed my mind. From that point on however, it was clear to me that we walked right into the middle off an epic Rock-off, vying for avenue-wide bragging rights (all in my mind, of course). I was going to show this two-bit hack ensemble, with their original songs and their red button-less instruments, what a band front(wo)man should really sound like. Not only was I going to put on a voice clinic, I was also going to demonstrate the ancient arts of unknown note triangulation and tambourine simulating. The battle went on for minutes. Improvisational shouting was heard. Unison bonuses were earned. And untold numbers of drum fills ended on green notes. You could cut the connection (to the Playstation) with a knife.

I'm not going to say who won the Rock-off; my bias is unavoidable. All I know is this: the garage band next door is currently looking for a new lead singer. Sorry, neighbors - I'm not quitting my day job.