Like the controversial use of Kurt Cobain in Guitar Hero 5, the (still living) members of No Doubt are suing due to how they are portrayed and used in the semi-sequel, Band Hero. As with Cobain, the game allows you to use the No Doubt avatars throughout the game, both with their own songs and with other band's material.

Gossip site TMZ reports that "the band is particularly pissed" that Gwen Stefani's animated image can channel a male voice to sing "Honky Tonk Woman" by the Rolling Stones … a song which contains lyrics about "having sex with prostitutes."

Activision responded to this controversy similarly to the Cobain incident, saying:

Activision has a written agreement to use No Doubt in Band Hero – an agreement signed by No Doubt after extensive negotiations with its representatives, who collectively have decades of experience in the entertainment industry … Activision believes it is within its legal rights with respect to the use and portrayal of the band members in the game and that this lawsuit is without merit.