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Guitar Hero video game tournament draws teenagers to Milton Public Library

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Guitar Hero Competition

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MILTON — Dressed in aviator sunglasses, a denim jacket and a graphic tee, Jake Moore strolls up to the guitar and struts a bit. At 15, he's already started a band of his own and finds a few hours of work a week at Exclusive Company. He knows these songs and artists. It's just a matter of skill and Moore oozes confidence.

"I feel it," Moore said. "It's hard to look at the screen and get the timing, you have to listen to the song and know where the guitar notes in the song are. And once you have the timing down, all you have to do is look at what colors you have to press."

This is easier said than done in the darkened basement of the Milton Public Library. Library employees Ashlee Kunkel and James Gilbertson set up a projector there to host a Guitar Hero tournament for any wannabe Jimi Hendrix or Slash in the neighborhood. Knowing teenagers don't exactly rush to the nearest copy of Huckleberry Finn, the two came up with a "high-tech, low-tech" night to bring kids to the library on a regular basis. It seems to work: most of the kids there say they're regulars.

But maybe that's just the game talking.

After scanning the list of songs offered on the latest Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero, Moore settles on music more in line with his as-of-yet unnamed band: Smashing Pumpkins.

Moore's slow rhythmic plodding on the strum bar breaks into often hurried clicks and clacks when the chorus comes along. Parrish's notes come slightly before Moore's and he racks up the points. Gilbertson offers Moore points for his alt-flavored head banging, but he is no Billy Corgan today. Moore graciously steps aside, knowing that he competed on an "expert" difficulty instead of Parrish's "hard."

Parrish's next challenger, Michael Salzman, doesn't have the glamour Moore does, but he's got the technique down.

Carefully pounding away at the rapid-fire power chords of "2 Minutes to Midnight," Salzman sticks his tongue out, moving his body slightly left like a driver trying to turn a corner. He reaches the bridge and spins around for a bit of rock and roll theatrics. Despite the effort, Parrish downs him by a healthy margin.

But Parrish, who has the calm stance of a John Entwistle rather than a windmilling Pete Townshend, finally meets his match. Scott Miyasaki, who has barely said a word as the others brag, challenges Parrish in the final match. Parrish is easily eclipsing him on a Megadeth song, but Miyasaki suddenly activates his star power, giving him a point boost for every note he hits. By the end, Miyasaki is the victor and Kunkel rewards him with a candy bar.

Salzman and Moore sign up again, but Miyasaki is waiting for his ride outside. He stays modest, saying he doesn't play that much.

"It's just hand-eye coordination," he said. "It's not that hard."