Guitar Hero Style

I’ll never forget the summer I was pregnant with Ruby. In addition to getting my blog up and running, my goal was to become an expert Guitar Hero player. I couldn’t believe it when a friend introduced me to the game. It was incredible! Two of my most beloved activities – listening to rock music and playing video games – fused together? Aw, yeah. I loaded up on every Guitar Hero (and its MTV twin, Rock Band) I could find at the used video game stores. (I did my gaming on a PS2. And yes, Guitar Hero had already been out for a several years before I “discovered” it. Don’t judge.)

While Brian sat upstairs watching skateboard videos or poker tournaments, I spent my time in practice mode, honing my skills on the guitar riffs for “Toxicity,” “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” and everything in between. By the end of the summer, even a teenage boy was impressed when I crushed the game at an amusement park.

The Metallica Guitar Hero was the most fun of all. I’d always been a fan, but being able to play along to “For Whom The Bell Tolls” takes fandom to a new level. I must say, playing all 7 and a half minutes of “One” still feels like a major accomplishment. Those Metallica musicians are seriously talented, so playing some of the songs successfully on expert mode may be a bucket list item. I may never get to live out my fantasy of being a rock star, but at least I can play one in my living room.

My biggest (or littlest) fan, Ruby, was present for every single concert. She’s already shown an affinity for 90s and 00’s rock. The other day, “Freak on A Leash” came on my mix CD. She responded with one word that made me chuckle: “LOUDER!” That’s my girl.

After all these years, I finally got a Metallica band tee. After searching fruitlessly for years at thrift stores, I decided to take a drastic step. I went to the mall. Well, not exactly the mall. I headed to St. Louis Premium Outlets for a shopping party with other local bloggers. Its outdoor setup was a refreshing alternative to a typical mall and made for a smooth shopping experience. And thanks to one of the sweetest Hot Topic workers I’ve ever encountered, I walked out with 3 band tees and some other goodies. Look for future posts featuring my two other favorite bands, System of A Down and Rancid. For now, here’s how I styled my first Metallica shirt.