The Protomen Explain Why "Mega Man" Inspired Their Band's Existence
Fuse's Dan Brown caught up Nintendo-inspired hard rockers the Protomen when they performed at PAX East, Boston's annual showcase of all things related to gaming culture.
Speaking with four out of the bands nine members, Dan learned why a bunch of guys from Murfreesboro, TN, were compelled to start recording rock operas based on their love for a 1987 Nintendo game.
"The first batch of Mega Man cartridge games that came out on NES had some of the toughest music backing up the action that we'd ever heard. It inspired us to make our own jams," singer Raul Panther tells Fuse. "We thought this is a very excellent good-and-evil story line that we wanted to expand upon and make it a little tougher, a little darker."
Although it sounds a touch similar to the thriving Chiptune music movement—songs made using revamped NES consoles—that Dan investigated a while ago, the Protomen say they identify more with classic rock bands.
"It's more like if Styx had played too many Nintendo games when they were writing their records," explains synth-player Commander B. Hawkins. "And had a shitload less money."
For the full interview with the Protomen—including info about their upcoming album Act III—check out the video above.
8m
20m
1m
2m
1m
43s
1m
42m
9m
10m
21m
46m
10m
2m
1m
1m
23m
18m
41m
2m
3m
2m
9m
40m
5m
5m
5m
6m
2m
1h 45m
1h 2m
1m
2m
45m
44m
21m
20m
1h 27m
1h 20m
23m
1h 34m
1h 21m
21m
1m
2m
20m
59s
44m
21m
1h 22m
1h 36m
1h 3m
22m
23m
48m
21m
21m
20m
20m
57m
20m
1h 7m
1h 17m
1h 22m
1h 30m
20m
22m
22m
9m
20m
1h 15m
21m
20m
57s
24m
46m
1m
20m
1h 23m
21m
2m
12m
1h 27m
2m
3m
2m
22m
1m
2m
2m
20m
20m
56m
20m
1h 43m
22m
19m