Grunge grudge over co-opted Kurt

Daily Variety ^ | 9/18/2009 | Chris Morris

[Saije]

The guitars blare a familiar tune and Kurt Cobain approaches the microphone, moppish hair covering his haunted eyes. But when the lyrics kick in, it's not the words to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" that come out, it's "You Give Love a Bad Name."

Cobain, or at least his computer-generated likeness, can be made to sing the Bon Jovi anthem (and many other non-Nirvana songs) in "Guitar Hero 5." And that has his estate threatening legal action.

The game features two Nirvana tunes among the 85 songs that come with the game. Once players successfully complete one of those songs, Cobain's likeness is unlocked -- and can be used as the lead singer for any song in the game, mimicking the moves of the song's original performer.

That means the father of grunge bounces like Flavor Flav in Public Enemy's "Bring the Noise 20XX" or swoons like Gwen Stefani in No Doubt's "Ex Girlfriend."

Courtney Love, Cobain's widow, calls it "breach of contract" and recently used her Twitter feed for a multihour, obscenity-filled rant about the game.

Former bandmates Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic say they are "dismayed and very disappointed in the way a facsimile of Kurt is used" and are urging the company to "re-lock" the character and restrict Cobain's image to just Nirvana songs.

Activision maintains the estate (specifically, Love) signed a contract giving it the proper licensing rights.

Cobain is just one of several musicians, including Carlos Santana, Shirley Manson and the late Johnny Cash, who are unlockable and can be used to front any band or song in "Guitar Hero 5". (None of the other musicians or estates has spoken out against the game.)

[Saije]

Hmmm...so it would be okay if he was only singing Nirvana songs? Not sure I see the point.

[wastedyears]

My guitar doesn’t have plastic colored buttons.

[skeeter]

The estate of Johnny Cash should be more upset that his likeness could be made to sing ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’.

[freedumb2003]

>>Hmmm...so it would be okay if he was only singing Nirvana songs? Not sure I see the point.<<

I wonder if GH has “Feelings” — it would be hilarious to see Kurt singing that.

[Radagast the Fool]

I’ve never heard ANY of Cobain’s alleged songs.
Lucky me!!!

[darkangel82]

You’re not missing anything.

[freedumb2003]

The only reason I know Smells like a Teenager’s Undies or whatever is the opening guitar riff is used as bump music on a lot of radio programs.

Grung stunk then and it stinks now.

Any fool can scream his head off, and clearly many did, and bigger fools paid to listen to it.

[freedumb2003]

Misheard Lyrics - Smells like teen age undies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1-NZWtTJYI

[Mr. Blonde]

Why?

Johnny covered fellow grunge act Soundgarden’s Rusty Cage on Unchained.

And that is just one of the many 90’s era songs he covered on The American Recordings albums.

I agree that Smells Like Teen Spirit wouldn’t be the most interesting one for Johnny to cover, if he were still alive of course. Personally, I can almost hear him covering Come As You Are.