Platinum blonde hair. Black bikini top. Tattoos on display. There I was—OK, there was my chosen avatar—rocking out to Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

I may have literally been bundled up after Friday’s snow fall, sipping a beer in the back room of Bucktown’s Whiskey Road, but once that plastic guitar hit my hands and I was on the tiny, corner stage tapping my toes, I felt transported.

I’d heard the buzz about the addictive nature of Guitar Hero, but I didn’t get it. The game itself is sort of like Dance, Dance Revolution for your fingertips. But the music is so much better!

Pretending to be some rock legend as you "play" tracks by The Who, Heart, Pearl Jam and the Rolling Stones? Well, that, and having your friends and "fans" cheer you on, is why this game is so great—and such an amazing social opportunity at a bar. Asking someone you’ve got your eye on to face off on a game? Now that’s a much better opening line than "What’s your favorite band?" any day.

Whiskey Road:  http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/neighborhood_bar/whiskey-road-bucktown-wicker-park/245335/content

>> Check back Wednesday to read about our reporter’s experience at other video game nights at local bars. Until then, just wear this t-shirt

Winter may be the most appropriate time to play moody stuff like "Everybody Hurts," but this should brighten the mood of R.E.M. fans. It was announced today that the veteran group is appearing June 6 at United Center, with excellent support from Modest Mouse and the National. No info yet on ticket availability, but mark your calendar a nd check back for updates. R.E.M.'s new album, "Accelerator," will be released April 1.

It is a dark day in America. Why? Because the weekend box office featured a neck-and-neck race between, "Meet the Spartans," which I didn't see but looks to be as fun as a back waxing, and "Rambo," which I did see and can confirm is actually that painful to watch. "Spartans" came out on top with $18.7 million, followed by "Rambo" with $18.1 million. Last week's champ, "Cloverfield," slid to fourth with $12.7 million, ahead of fifth-place "Untraceable," Diane Lane's average thriller with $11.2 million. The week's other new arrival, the terrible dancing flick "How She Move" didn't even crack the Top 10.

SOUND OFF: Has the apocalypse arrived, now that "Meet the Spartans" and "Rambo" are on top?