Music to Game to - You Got Me In Stitches

If you've ever said to yourself, "Man, I wish I could play that song on Rock Band!" you're in the right place.  This is a regular article dedicated to putting the spotlight on musicians, specific songs, or even genres so far absent from the music game industry (notably Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and their many-numbered sequels.)  I'm absolutely open to suggestions either in comments or messages as well.

I know what you're thinking.  "Dude, what kind of band is so badass that it gets an image rendered of its members?"  I was going to wait until either more information was released about the Left 4 Dead 2 DLC or for a week when I had no time to write a M2G2 (joking), but I want to go on the record for this.  I'm going to predict the future here, folks.  Gather 'round, gather 'round.  Okay, look into the crystal ball.  …I'm seeing great success in your future…  I'm seeing happiness…  I'm also seeing… a fictional band… being imitated with plastic peripherals?  It's the… Midnight Riders?  Who the hell are they?

In case you don't know, this is a band in the Left 4 Dead world that is heavily referenced in one of the levels in L4D2.  Now wait; don't give me that look.  Valve (or more correctly, Harmonix) released "Still Alive" for free as Rock Band DLC last year (admittedly on April 1st), and "Re: Your Brains" came out before the release of L4D2.  I think this is a great marketing ploy, and this time around they've got an even better candidate for music games: an actual rock band!  Heck, just last year Harmonix released 15 songs from Spın̈al Tap and even put one in Lego Rock Band.  I don't think there's a problem with the "fictional" aspect (it was done as early as GH2), especially since you're fake-playing-along with them, anyway.  Seriously, when we start hearing more about L4D2 updates, I'll put my money down that Valve will give away a song or two from the Midnight Rider's inexhaustible discography.  They've been around for 30+ years!

Now, you could say I know the Midnight Riders pretty well.  I've been following them before they made it big, then faded into obscurity, then got released from jail and came back with a hit single, and then kicked more ass with the most fireworks in the business!  It's the rocking, power metal that grabs you, with the heavy guitar riffs and punching rhythm.  No, wait, I don't think you understand.  I mean it's literally grabbing you and punching you.  Christopher Walken wouldn't even be able to ask for more cowbell in "Midnight Ride" before he was slammed with the force of Ox's beats.  Ever thought that chewing on sandpaper was enough to make you a man?  Try listening to Smitty's lyrical prowess and you'll learn what "rough" and "tumble" really mean.

In my dreams: High Heels & Brushed Steel (2009 – Extremely rare due to Green Flu)

A good start: "Midnight Ride", "One Bad Man", "All I Want For Christmas (is to kick your ass)"

Seriously, though.  How likely do you think it is that this will happen?

Playing songs in Rock Band or Guitar Hero is one of the most immersive ways to experience music, second to playing it for real, of course.  Let me know if you'd like to see this in a game, too.  Would you pick something else?  I'd like to hear your thoughts.