Anarchy! : Interview with Pint Shot Riot

We like video games. We also like music. So, when given the chance to do an interview with some fellas who make music that appears in video games, 360Sync thought “well, this seems like a pleasantly obvious turn of events!” So here we are, writing about it, something we also apparently like to do.

With songs appearing in The Sims 3, FIFA 10, Fight Night 4, and Need For Speed Nitro, the UK based band Pint Shot Riot definitely knows there way around a game soundtrack.  Coming together as a band in 2007, Pint Shot Riot is made up of guitarist Rocket, his cousin and drummer Mini-Dave, bassist Baby-Dave, and lead guitarist Rob (In case you’re wondering, “it’s because that’s his name”). They made quite a splash across the pond with some great venues and radio play over the past couple of years and soon came to the attention of Electronic Arts, who liked what they heard and signed the band up to have some of their music appear in several of their most popular titles.

We got to shoot the boys a few questions concerning their experiences in music and gaming, and we got some great responses courtesy of Baby Dave. So have a gander below, and afterwards you might want to look them up on EA Trax facebook page or blog .

You guys play a lot of games in your off time, or did you have any favorites growing up?

Yeah, speaking personally I do love a bit of Xbox live action. It’s cool to play people you know you’re going to be seeing soon and get a bit of rivalry going! Growing up in the Mega Drive and PS1 days my favourites were Streets of Rage and Road Rash, then Tony Hawk and GTA.

How did you all get into the EA Games, and how has the experience been?

We were approached by their people and we worked something out. It’s been amazing to hear our songs on games and particularly Fifa 10. I’m a massive Fifa fan, and was looking forward to the new game coming out anyway so it was almost surreal to see it come together!

A lot of people are surprised that music rhythm games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band remain so popular. Do you guys partake in either of these titles?

I got some of both titles and I always have to get the drums! I’m a frustrated drummer so it’s the perfect game for me. I don’t know why they remain so popular but I play them because it’s a different way of playing together with friends. There is elements of teamwork and it is more physical and generally just a good laugh. It’s good to think that a music-based game could be so popular and maybe kids are learning a bit about each instruments role within a song and hearing some classic songs they didn’t know about before.

Why do you think so many gamers enjoy whaling on plastic toy instruments for their own living room jam sessions?

It’s just good fun to rock out isn’t it? It’s like, when you hear a classic guitar solo on the radio, why do you get the urge to play the air guitar? Whatever it is, the games are getting better at making it a more instinctive, organic-feeling experience and I hope the progress continues.

What were your favorite games of ’09?

Guitar Hero Metallica, UFC undisputed, Fifa 10 and Resident Evil Overkill for the Wii

Anything you are looking forward to playing in 2010?

Definitely the MMA game coming from E.A.and also UFC undisputed 2010. It will be interesting to see which will be the better game. If Fable 3 does come out this year then that will be a big one. Might be worth checking out the Fifa world cup game too.

Where can players find your song in the Sims?

We’re on a jukebox in a bar. We’ve got a clip of it on our youtube page, hopefully this will help www.youtube.com/pintshotriot

Any new additions to video game soundtracks in the works for the future?

We’ll have to see. Keep an ear out for us!