Check out the February 2008 issue of Guitar Player Magazine.  Steve talks with GP about his work on Guitar Hero 3 and shares information about the recording process as well as the research and authenticity of re-recording classic and current rock songs.  Read it online

Activision has commissioned Steve to record an original version of the Christmas classic “We Three Kings” for an upcoming free download for Guitar Hero 3.  The song will be released in December in time for the holidays.  More information on the song will be revealed in the upcoming days.

Steve recently sat down with Jerry Lyons, the Online Resources Manager and Editor-in-Chief of the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) about his involment with Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock.  Read the interview at http://www.audiogang.org/storyviewer.do?id=public&story=3901

  Because of the overwhelming amount of questions I’ve received about my remake of TDWDTG, I’ve taken the top questions and answered them here for those who want to know.

• Why a metal version of TDWDTG for GH3? I thought that was a fiddle song.

While it’s true the song was originally written for a fiddle, and is a country song, that wouldn’t translate well to a guitar-based game.  The original is a classic and a song that just about everyone has heard at one time or another.  It was a natural choice to give it a heavier treatment considering the game and stylistically what would work for a guitar, so that was the direction chosen.

• Who played guitar on the track?

I played the main guitar and bass for the song, plus all of the “Lou” parts on the right channel as well as the unaccompanied solo toward the end.  There were two other amazing players on the track playing the “Johnny” parts.  Ed Degenaro took the first solo and Geoff Tyson took the second one.  However, there are two final phrases at the end of the second solo that are Ed as well.  I made the decision to have these two guys on the recording not only because they are great players, but because it would give a nice contrast in style.

• Where was it recorded and mixed?

This track, as with all of the tracks I did for Guitar Hero 3, was recorded at Crush Recording (http://www.crushrecording.com/) in Scottsdale, AZ.  The always amazing Ryan Greene, my partner in this and many other projects was at the board was responsible for the mix and engineering.  Obviously, Ed and Geoff played and recorded their parts then sent them to me to be brought into the song.  I edited the tracks at my studio and brought them all in for the final mix.

• What type of guitar and amp was used for the recording?

For my parts I used a Les Paul R8 and an 80’s Kramer Barretta.  The amp was a Diezel VH4 on channel 3 into a Bogner 4×12 cab with an X-pattern of Celestion V30’s and 75’s.

• Who are the singer and drummer on the track?

The singer is Chris Powers, from the local AZ band Razer http://www.myspace.com/razer  .The drummer was Bruce Weitz from another Arizona band named Vayden http://www.myspace.com/vaydenband.  Both Chris and Bruce were great to work with and are true professionals.  Thank you guys!

• Why did you keep the original lyrics for the song?

I didn’t see any reason to change the lyrics.  Sure, they talk about a fiddle, Georgia, etc, but that’s the way the song sings to me.  I have heard other versions where the lyrics are changed to be more contemporary or to mention different places, etc, but they don’t sound right to me.

• Isn’t it blasphemy to destroy a classic song like TDWDTG?

Lol!  Well, I guess it depends on who you ask.  There are a lot of people that like the way it turned out, and it was purposely created to be a difficult song for Guitar Hero 3, so there’s that.  In a way, much like remakes of other classic songs, it brings the song to a completely different audience and lets them hear a great song.  I’ve actually heard a lot of people say it made them go back and listen to the original…which of course, they loved.

• How long have you been playing guitar?

I’ve been played guitar now for 25 years.

• How does it feel to be on the same CD as Slash, Smashing Pumpkins and QOTSA?

It feels great.  Nuff said!

• What other tracks did you do for Guitar Hero 3?

I did 7 other tracks for the game.  They are; Rock You Like A Hurricane, School’s Out, Barracuda, Talk Dirty To Me, Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, and Mississippi Queen.

In our ongoing search for vocalists that can sing in the style of the great rock singers, Steve Ouimette Studios is now accepting demos from singers from anywhere in the world. If you feel you have the ability to sound like a particular vocalist please send us a note or a link to an MP3. You can reach Steve at steve@steveouimette.com

We look forward to hearing you!