The gaming industry has definitely changed over the years.  The music in games has become an integral part of the game itself and in some cases, the best part about it.  If there’s a banging soundtrack, I can usually get lost in the music and find a good experience in a bad game.  And when the music is great on a great game, it just makes that game even greater. 

Enter my Soundtracks & Bands feature to highlight some of the bands that EA and Artwerk are involved with.  We’ve all wondered where to get a certain song before and who was behind it.  This feature will answer that question and highlight not only who is behind the music but how they ended up on the soundtracks as well.

First up in Soundtracks & Bands is Pint Shot Riot.  So let’s go…

The Band – Pint Shot Riot

The Game (s) – The SIMS 3, Fight Night Round 4

The Song (s) – Punches Kicks Trenches And Swords

The Interview

The landscape of music has changed allowing people to access it in numerous ways. Video games are now a viable way for bands to reach new audiences. Does it blow your minds how the stage for music has changed?

The honest answer is yes, it does totally blow our minds.  Even just from our childhoods to now the change is incredible.  I tried to donate some old metal cd’s to my 14 year-old cousin the other day, he just copied them onto his computer and handed them back to me!  The whole industry is having to change right now so it’s particularly exciting to be involved with a project like this.

You guys have signed on with EA Games and their music effort appearing in SIMS 3. Was ‘Punches Kicks Trenches And Swords’ the best song to represent Pint Riot Shot or would you have liked another track?

We’re happy with the track for sure.  We gave the best work we had available at the time to E.A and we’re happy with their choice.

Is it harder choosing which single to release first than it is choosing which song to use for a game?

Yes, because the final choice for the game has to be E.A’s whereas we choose our own singles.  I think there is different criteria for making each decision though.

Most bands that have their songs in games are actually non-gamers themselves.  But you guys are gamers.  Do you think a game like Rock Band does well in introducing people to a real band experience?

I think it is brilliant for introducing kids to playing an instrument, particularly those too young to start learning a real instrument.  Hopefully it can encourage people to spend the time and dedication needed to learn how to play an instrument properly.

Are you guys open to being part of an event set aside for you to play the games with fans?

I would say yes, definitely!  Any time to meet fans is good, any excuse to play games is good, bring it on!  I’m keeping my gamertag under wraps for now though.

That’s probably for the best.  You’re also slated to appear in Fight Night Round 4.  Is that true and which song?

Indeed it is true!  It will be the same song, ‘Punches Kicks Trenches & Swords’, and I believe you will hear it over Ricky Hattons’ entrance!  We’re all Hatton fans so that will be awesome.  We will also have other songs on other games later this year.

After the game releases, the majority of your fans may go from hot, young female to nerdy gamer guy.  You guys okay with that?

What?!  Get my manager on the phone NOW!……..Er, well hopefully we can just increase our fan base, rather than change our fanbase and entertain both sets of fans.  Though I’m sure there are hot, young female gamers out there too.  Thats what EA told us when we signed!

Yes, there are hot female gamers.  Do you think we’ll see Pint Shot Riot record a song exclusively for a video game one day?

As you said earlier, the music industry is changing and if there is a chance to put our music out there, we are open to it.

What would you like to say to those who are hearing your music for the first time?

I would like people to make their own minds up about our music and just enjoy it.  We write from the heart and hopefully people will be able to take something positive from that.

Baby Dave
www.myspace.com/pintshotriot & www.pintshotriot.co.uk