If you didn't come here about school- or work-related things, you probably came here because you know me (or of me, at least) because of Rock Band. Guitar Hero is what got me into video games, and that has evolved into a focus on Rock Band. Like most everything I enjoy, this interest has found its way into my professional life; through being part of the Rock Band community (primarily through scorehero.com), I've come to realize that males and females seem to interact with video games in very different manners. In my field there's been a recent focus on the relationship between video games and literacy, but I don't find that there's been much addressed in the way of how the two genders might approach video games differently (and that difference's bearing on those studies).
As far as my Rock Band playing goes, I'm mostly known as a vocalist, both solo (one of the first on PS3 to get 100% on all the songs on Rock Band 2 expert vocals, and the first I know of who didn't get the game a month early on X-Box 360 to start learning the songs earlier than everyone else) and in full-band play. Although expert vocals is the main thing I'm known for, Rock Band-wise, I also play expert guitar and bass (much better at bass), and have just started on expert drums, though the going is slow right now with my busy work and school schedule.
I'm the vocalist (and sometimes bassist) for the band Interrobang! with guitarist Matt M. (Sixen on PSN, 4th-ranked guitarist), drummer/vocalist Aaron D. (InternetGuy87), and bassist/drummer Brian W. (beingmused). We are usually the top-ranked band on the all-songs leaderboard (due to conflicting schedules, we haven't played much the last few months and sometimes get passed, but usually regain the #1 spot after just one new session) and were the first band to reach a billion total points. Three of us (beingmused, Internetguy, and myself) plus Curtistheninja from California recently placed second in the Energizer- and MTV-sponsored Advance Into Overdrive contest, winning about a thousand dollars worth of prizes each. The four regular members of the band typically meet online a few times a week to play songs and record scores. We stream our sessions live on UStream once a month or so for a live audience.
In March 2010, the four of us met in real life for the first time after playing together online for over a year and a half (Aaron, Brian, and I since June 2008, joined by Matt in September 2008). Aaron, Matt, and I traveled to Boston (where Brian already lives) to go to the PAX East gaming convention, where we participated in the Rock Band tournament. We got the #1 seed based on the qualifying round and lost the tiebreaker in the finals to the sponsored team from vVv Gaming. We're hoping to go back next year.
I am also a moderator/staff member on the Guitar Hero/Rock Band site ScoreHero, having been promoted to staff in August 2009.
Interrobang at PAX East -- L-R Matt (Sixen), Aaron (InternetGuy87), me (woozerkristen), Brian (beingmused)
on stage playing Rock Band at PAX East
First and second place winners of the Rock Band tournament. Back L-R: Matt, Brian, me, Lee (brockbfball1563); Front L-R: Vince (Ganonmetroid), Toby (Tobias911), Aaron, Gary (Hellashes)
A few Rock Band videos:
Interrobang - FBFC of Hysteria by Muse (100% on all four parts on expert, also the current global 1st place score)
"One-Girl Band" FC of Dirty Little Secret by the All-American Rejects (100% on all four parts on expert)
Me singing all 3 vocal parts on I Feel Fine in Beatles Rock Band.