We are Powerglove and we play Video Game Metal. AMA!

What did you think of the Farcry: Blood Dragon soundtrack?

I thought we did that...I joined the wrong band? -Ben

Long time fan of your work, also glad to see you guys being active again.

The big question is; any word on a new album? (seeing how it's been 6 years since Saturday Morning Apocalypse) Also, will you go back to strictly video game themes for the next album or will we see more material like SMA?

This sounds like a video game, eh? ALBUM SPOILER Can you guess the game?

Mario 2 boss theme?

Spalding?

Sup Gentleman, my friend and I are opening a Bar and Arcade in Detroit, Michigan, i showed him your music as something we plan to play in there. What are the chances you guys come visit? Obviously, VIP treatment. It doesn't hurt to ask, right?! Haha

Thanks,

Mohamed

Hey dude! Shoot us a PM and we'll hit you up next time we're in Detroit. Barcades are awesome. -Bassil

What newer video games are you guys into? Have you considered doing a modern game theme song on one of your albums?

Edit: Also, when you guys opened for Sonata Arctica in April 2010 NYC, my friend and I screamed out "TRANSFORMERS" when you were about to start X-Men and you actually took our request. Many thanks for that. We count it as our greatest metal show success, ever.

Hey DarkMacek! I remember you, and that show. When I was growing up, I always secretly wished that frontmen of my favorite bands would listen to me when I would cry out for them to play my favorite songs. When I finally got to the position where I was playing the same venues I went to as a kid, I decided to grant that wish to the fans.

-Nick/Powerglove

1. What are your favorite bands?

2. What are your favorite retro video games?

3. What are your favorite modern video games?

4. Any plans on a North American tour?

1. Bassil - Opeth, Shpongle, Karnivool, Afro Celt Sound System

Nick - Leprous, Opeth, Explosions in the Sky, Agalloch

Ben - Haken, Leprous, Pain of Salvation, Symphony X

Alex - Infected Mushroom, Michael Jackson, Fleshgod Apocalypse

2. Bassil - Super Metroid, Final Fantasy VII, Sonic 3

Nick - Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI, Super Mario RPG

Ben - Super Mario 3, Sonic 2, Crash Bandicoot 2

Alex - Megaman X2, Madden '95

3. Bassil - Super Smash Bros 64, Super Smash Bros Melee, Super Smash Bros Wii U, Brawl suxxxxx

Nick - The Witcher 2, Heavy Rain, The Last of Us

Ben - Uncharted 2, Assassins Creed 2, GTA 4

Alex - Super Smash Bros Wii U, Portal.

4. Gotta finish off this damn record first!!

Any of you guys be going to the Haken, Leprous, and Explosions in the Sky when each come by? (separate tours)

(Leprous tour hasn't been officially announced yet.)

EDIT: Also forgot about Opeth and Fleshgod Apocalypse (supporting Epica) coming by this fall too!

Yes to all of those, and some of us are working on playing some dates with a few of the bands listed with some of our other projects. Fleshgod are still good buddies of ours!

Love your music, always have, problem is I don't use iTunes but I use spotify however you only have one album on spotify, any news on adding more to spotify?

We will be putting our new material on spotify, and possibly putting some of the older material on there. The only delay on that is legal mumbo jumbo.

~Alex

Gents, So a few things.
1) Touring, touring touring..... Gone. You guys have all but disappeared since 5 years ago. Where did the time go and what happened? Did life catch you in the ass? Was it issues with the first 2 albums coming back to haunt you? Where have the difficulties been? Please, be specific. Us fans CARE. We wanna know what's going on. Trials, tribulations, late midnight speed runs of Dragon Warrior, We / I would love to be able to connect as to what has been the hold up. 2) What songs would you have loved to do for the new album that you couldn't? Did you get the right first this time and then go about making the new songs, or was it the other way around like it had been in the past? 3) What companies have been awesome to work with?
4) What companies have been difficult to work with? 5) Your left with only one system to play. Ever. The entire catalog at your finger tips. What do you pick?

Be good to each other. Keep kicking ass. Keep writing music. Keep on being amazing. Thanks so much for doing this.

Luke (in Portland as well)

• There's always a few songs that don't make the cut for each album we do because they just aren't up to snuff. This time around it was Donkey Kong Country, Battle Toads, and Metal Gear. We intend to go back and rework the arrangements later on though. As far as acquiring rights goes, the companies usually want to hear the track before they give the go ahead. So clearing before hand hasn't been possible thus far.

  -Square-Enix. The composer of the original Power Rangers and Pokemon track really loved our arrangements.

-Nintendo. Some nice folks over there, but it's been tough for us to get them to care.

-SNES

-Nick

1. We're still very much alive my friend. We've all been friends with each other for over a decade, so Powerglove is more than just a business endeavour to us at this point. Part of keeping Powerglove alive for us was adjusting to eachother's lives, and having eachothers backs. That's why 3/4 of us still remain in the band.

   Whether it's members pursuing other musical interests while resting from tour, recovering from health issues, adjusting to new work schedules, or just taking our time writing, we have tried to be understanding of eachother's paths in life. However, now we feel it's the time to emerge back into the universe of VG Music. We didn't interact with the fans much during this time, because we didn't have much to say, but we will have plenty to say soon.

   When our new album comes out, any fans that have forgotten about us will remember where Powerglove's place in the VG music scene is.

-Nick, Bassil, Alex, Ben (Chris)

Album fucking when guys? Swear yall said it was almost done like three years ago.

Also when can we expect your post on r/GWnerdy?

Do you really want to see our butts?

Hi Powerglove! I've been a fan since the Total Pwnage days. I don't really have anything that won't be asked repeatedly in this AMA, so here we go: When is the new album coming out? When are you coming to (insert city)?: Portland Will you cover this song?: Sonic Boom from Sonic CD Will you guys ever do an album of original epic power metal? Can you name your best album Super Nintendo Chalmers?

Much love, MocephusRocks

New record is due this year (finally). All tracking is complete, and I'm working on the mixes literally right as we speak. We'll be back to Portland next time we hit the road. Focused on the album right now, but keep checking back and we'll let you know. I'll have to go back and check out Sonic CD again, I haven't played that game since back when Sega was my main system! No promises on the Chalmers bit, but we've got some good new shit coming soon! -Bassil

When are you gonna try to get a gig at Blizzcon?

As a former wc3 player, I would love to play Blizzcon.

~Alex

Hi guys! Why did Chris really leave? Just wanted to go back to regular life?

Also, next time you stop in Minneapolis, dinner? Video games?

-Jon

I ate him. -Ben

Why are you using an MC Chris illustration on your reddit post?

We done goofed. It should be fixed now.

Hey, I've been a huge fan for years! What are the chances you'll be playing at the next MagFest, and can you give any hints as to what might be on the next album?

-Nick

MAGfest is our home away from home. We usually play their every other year. We'll contact our friends over there, and see if we can make some magic happen. You guys deserve a setlist of new songs before we show up again though.

Your thirst for mega man and final fantasy songs will be quenched.

What kind of stats do you have on your armor?

Charisma, intelligence, strength, vitality, and +10 to genital flaccidity. -Ben

Any chance of you guys digging up a shovel knight song?

A buddy of mine has been raving about shovel knight. I should probably get off my ass and go check it out. -Bassil

I'm the buddy who has been raving about shovel knight you old man. Kick ass music, kick ass game. -Nick

Are you guys actively checking out guys like FamilyJules7x and others who do great covers as well? You should throw him a line if you haven't and get him to collaborate ;)

Are you FamilyJules7X?

Magfest misses you. Any chance you'll be back in September?

We are focused on getting the new material out. No promises on Magfest, but that would be a great way back to playing shows on the new album.

~Alex

Is there any music from any game that you have tried to make arrangements for, but ultimately had to scrap because you couldn't get it to sound metal enough and still be recognizable?

There have been a handful of songs this has happened for. We usually just put it off for awhile and revisit it later. The upcoming album has a few different songs that were partially written from 7 years ago that we finally finished.

~Alex

I just wanted to say that people have sent me PMs and asked me in threads on /r/metal if I'm part of the band. I'm glad you guys actually have an account on here now so that people will stop asking me. I met Nick in 2010 after the NYC show where you guys opened for HammerFall. He was the first musician I had met and I was really excited. My personalized signed copy of Metal Kombat is still one of my prized possessions six years later! I also saw you guys when you opened for Firewind in 2010 in NYC and I think Nick remembered me from the previous show. I just wanted to share those memories with you (also the fact that I derived my username from listening to you guys).

Do you guys feel like video game music has become, in a way, like the Great American Songbook of rock and metal? So many different musicians (mostly solo or doujinshi-esque musicians) have recorded whole albums influenced by it, in a number of different styles. Albums like Cory Johnson's The Legend of Zelda, the OneUp's Intergalactic Redux, Minibosses' Brass, and your own Metal Kombat for the Mortal Man are all in vastly different styles, but derived from the same source material. What's your take on this?

I think that the composers making music for older systems had fewer tracks to work with, and their compositions ended up more melody centric. Therefore you had tons of iconic themes coming out from the 80s/90s, and musicians from all different genres arranging them and borrowing ideas from eachother.

I think Yes is the answer to your question

Why does Bassil enjoy double protein bread so much? Is it because his muscles are so tiny?

PROTEIN

Do you guys remember the show you played in Oneonta, NY about 5 years ago where the floor started cracking and everyone had to sit down?

Yea, I do remember that. A very odd show. Has that place been torn down yet?

~Alex

Yeah! I remember getting down on the floor with everyone and windmilling awkwardly next to people. -Nick

I know that Chris has gone on to pursue video game development but what exactly are the games or projects that he's working on? If he's released anything or contributed to a game that's out there, I'd like to check it out.

A few things have slowed down the progress of his game to my knowledge. I know he's changed the entire concept of the game he was making as he's improved at game design. As of right now, nothing has been released to the public, but if I know Chris, whatever he releases will be fantastic. He's the smartest dude and one of the most creative people I've ever known, and still my metal brother. I miss that guy!

-Nick

saw you guys live in 2013 at MAGFest, you sold me all three albums in one go. i took this picture. best day of my life. http://imgur.com/QPqVh7H Are you guys going to keep coming to MAGFest?

I look sooooo HAPPY! and yes. We'll keep coming as long as we have something to offer them and vice versa.

-Nick

What keeps you up at night?

Masturbating to whale sounds. -Ben

Do you guys still have Batmo?

Nick - Batmo and I settled down in west in West Midgar and had six wonderful, terrible bat-children. She stays home mostly now. Donuto and Planto hold down the fort in her place.

Will there be a glorious return of the forums? :)

Only if we join together to destroy the bots and reclaim the land of Glovetopia together.

-Nick

Coming to the UK at all?

I've been talking to another band about it, and if it works out, we'll be there in September. However there are several obstacles, challenges, and boss levels that stand in our way, and it looks like it might be a game over this time around. However, we have a few continues, and if it doesn't work out, we'll try again next year.

-Nick

So.. Any chance of seeing you guys in Italy ?

We have no current plans, but when the new album comes out, touring the UK and Europe is one of our top priorities. Perhaps we'll ask our friends in Fleshgod Apocalypse if they need a support act over there! -Nick

Hi guys! I've been listening to your metal covers for years now, but sadly never had the chance to see you guys live. Any chance you will tour Europe in the future? Also, what are your all time favorite video games? Cheers from Belgium

Going go the UK and Europe is something we all feel we are ready to do, and need to do when we release our new album. It's not cheap, so it's all about making the proper connections and finding the right oppourtunities at this point. Personally, I'm sick of waiting, and I'm going to be looking for ways of making it happen for the fans. -Nick

Please come back to Toronto too, while you're looking in to things.

If we're looking at Toronto, we'll definitely come back to Toronto.

Hey guys! I saw you guys at summer slaughter with my girlfriend before the house of Blues shut down! Whitechapel and Black Dahlia Murder seemed too good to be true but then I found out you'd be there too!

How did you guys find a way to fit into an already incredible lineup?

(All of the viking looking moshers singing along to the pokémon theme was awesome!)

We just ran out on stage, didn't give a fuck, and dedicated songs to people that were heckling us. "If you thought we sucked before, you're going to really think we suck now, because this is the Pokemon theme song."

-Nick

Hey Powerglove! Love you guys, been a fan since your early days. Saw you guys in Vancouver back in 08(?) with Turisas and Dragonforce.

How the hell did you guys get Daisuke Ishiwatari to do the TV Game Metal album art?

That was our first major tour... Pretty awesome all around. I used to play GGX, so it was an honor to have him do our art. We signed with a Japanese record label that got us in touch with him.

~Alex

Hey guys! Been a fan for a good few years. Cant even remember when i started listening. I saw you guys with mcchris a few year ago at the sub in Chicago. I wa wondering, any chance of another concert with chris or in general in the area?? You guys were so hype and amazing. Really made the concert memorable. I believe nick had a briken leg and was still dancin around and stuff on stage like a maniac. Anyway, hope you guys are doing well, hope to hear more about powerglove soon!

Nick - Thanks Winwar. That's not the first time i've toured with a brikin leg. In 2009 I played with Bang Camaro in a Wheelchair at the paradise, and in 2008 I fell off a 15 foot stage and tore my left meniscus. I'm about as graceful as a moose that's been shot with a tranquilizer dart.

Touring with mc chris was a good time. It was a whole new challenge for us to be thrown in between two rappers. Though we were constantly jealous of their lack of set up time.

I love your work guys! Been a fan for years and I never grow tired of your music.

What bands have you always wanted to tour with? And on that note, what non video game music do you listen to in your off time?

Luckily, I got to tour with many of the bands I listened to when I was a wee lad. Touring with Iron Maiden would be a pretty sweet addition. What I listen to always changes but right now...

I listen to classical music, Muse, Michael Jackson, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Infected Mushroom, Classical guitar, My friends bands, just to name a few.. and whatever else anyone shows me. I hate country, Most electronic and Adele the worst. Seriously.. .I cant escape her, she is played everywhere and resembles the sound of a dying moose.

~Alex

If you could write/rewrite the music for any game what would it be?

What are some challenges working with copy written material that the average fan would never expect?

Would you rather right one horse sized duck or 1000 duck sized horses?

What town in MA produces better musicians: Needham or Arlington?

Thanks A total stranger. Definitely not Charlie

Charles in Charge, getting companies to take your money, duck sized horse, Arlington.

I saw you guys in NYC when you played with Sonata Arctica. What a dream show that was for me haha. Anyway, will the next album have any show covers or is it back to all game music? Will you have a guest vocalist on the new album again?

It's all game music with one movie/show remix that we arranged specifically for vocals.

who in the band vapes? have you considered kicking out members who do not for being drains on society?

This band has been brought to you by marijuana. -Ben

Hey Powerglove, have you guys bought anything on steam's current summer sale (assuming you guys have steam)? I find it pretty lackluster but so far I've bought Broforce + the soundtrack, Undertale, the Orange Box, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3 and Dark Messiah Magic and might.

Another question would be: What are your thoughts on Shenmue 3 and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night?

Haven't checked out the steam sale. CANT WAIT for Shen Mue 3. Shen Mue was one of my favorite games of all time, and the existence of Shen Mue 3 is one of the reasons crowdfunding sites kick ass. -Nick

I know it's hard for bands these days, and especially hard for you since you're playing VG metal, but do you get any groupies backstage?

Yeah despite this being most likely the worst possible subgenre to get girls, I think Powerglove is the only reason any of us have gotten laid in the past 10 years. There is always hope my friend. -Bassil

You guys got a YouTube? Link us up man!

https://www.youtube.com/user/vgmetaldotcom

Hey there guys, hope you're doing well. Saw you at San Japan 2 years ago. Watched both shows and I can safely say it was one of the best performances I've experienced. Any Chance of you guys showing up to San Japan again?

I'll never forget San Japan! I forgot to wear my combat boots during the first show, and when I went to stomp on the stage monitor, I completely broke my left big toe. The rest of the set and the show the next day hurt like a bitch! Did I mention i'm as graceful as a moose? If they'll have us, we'll play again.

-Nick/PG

How come PAX East doesn't invite you guys and put you all on the main stage? Are they afraid of people getting too wild?

We tried extremely hard to get on PAX East for years. Exhausted all of our connections, and played a smaller stage for free twice. Maybe I curse too much?

-Nick

PAX East was the first time I saw you guys live. That small stage made for a pretty intimate, and sweaty show.

FUCK THAT BIRD!

Storm Eagle is a piece of cake! What are you talking about man?

-Nick

My question comes from a software developer's standpoint, as someone doing research into the future of music production software (without giving away too many details publicly, this will involve ai.) What software do you use to make your music and what do you like about it? What don't you like about it and would like to see in new software? What is your process?

Thank you!

This is a really interesting question. I am actually currently shifting over to using Logic. I've used many different DAWs in the past (ProTools, Sonar, Logic, Ableton etc..) Really into the design and visual flow of the Logic.

Moving into the future, I would love to see new software become less of a tool used to create edit and mix, and more of an extension of the user, a transparent means to spill our thoughts out into a musical end result. I know that sounds very abstract but it's that type of thinking Apple used to design their mobile devices, and I think that mindset has worked very well. I believe simplicity is the key that most production software lacks. Natural, intuitive UI which flows without requiring the user to think about each individual action. As a software designer myself, I know how much of a challenge this can be, especially when there are deep, complex requirements for your programs. But, that's the magic we're expected to perform these days.

AI is a very interesting field to synergize with audio production. I would love to see what would come of that.

I must ask, what company are you working with / what kind of software are you developing?

-Bassil

Here is our website: www.syntheseziastudios.com

We are just a startup and it most likely won't be a few years until we've developed a beta. Right now, my COO and I are just doing research and figuring out ways to implement some of the standard AI algorithms (neural networks, hidden markov models, etc.) As far as platforms go, I envision us developing for Mac OSX first, because their user demographic seems closest to our target demographic.

I would be honored if you'd be interested in testing our beta when it comes out. Again, that won't be for a few years, but if you email me at the address listed on our website, I'll definitely remember you wanted to be a tester when the time comes. We'll be developing our beta as a .vst plugin, which means that it should be a compatible plugin for most software packages (it should at least work in Ableton, if that's something you use.)

Anyway, thanks for the response. You rock! ~Kyle

Very cool. Yeah I'd be down to give it a look when it's ready. Shoot a message to our facebook and I'd be happy to give you some feedback.

-Bassil

Oh man, thank god you guys decided to do an AMA cus I got super excited when that other band had an AMA the other day and thought it was you.

Anyways, I'm the chick who painted those sweet ass shoes and modded your forums for a couple years ;)

Will the Under the Sea cover be on the next album? Because I've wanted to hear that song since you told us about it. I know Disney and evil Mickey Mouse are standing in the way and everything, but was hoping that maybe you'd defeated them by now!

Also super bummed that the game is no longer up on your site, even though I was totally terrible at it and never really even got close to beating it... cus I heard there was something awesome at the end :(

Anyways, glad to see you guys back in action! Would love to see you on tour again sometime soon :)

Hey Kelly. Here's the plan.

1. We release Under The Sea.

2. We Make 10 Million dollars

3. We hire you as Powerglove's official shoe lord and consultant.

Huzzah?

Since the game is RIP (possibly for good) The end was a cover of Hit Me Baby One More Time with me on vocals... with sprites of all of us discussing how hard you must have tried to get there just to have your hopes of a new video game cover shattered. -Nick

If you had to name two musicians who influenced you most: one from the world of video game soundtracks, the other from the world of heavy metal, who would you choose?

Nobuo Uematsu, Mikael Akerfeldt.

-Bassil

I'm sure you have heard of the concert tour/production company called "Video Games Live". If given the chance would you want to record stuff with them? Because it would be insanely cool to have the mix of the orchestral sound with metal.

Yes please.

Any chance of you guys coming to Australia any time soon?

Our best bet right now would be to try and get on PAX Australia. So we'll keep trying.

So, what's the full story with Tony Kakko doing vocals for you guys awhile back? If I remember right, he said it was the only time he's asked to contribute instead of being asked.

Also, have you guys ever considered covering the final boss music for Yoshi's Island? Straight up power metal, I think it'd translate really well.

We were put on a tour with Sonata Arctica, and over time we became friends with them, and we both enjoyed eachothers music. I forgot who mentioned what to whom at this point, but it came up very naturally in conversation. We had no intention of having vocals on anything, and I'm not sure if he knew what a Pokemon was.

-Nick

Your "Play with Powerglove on Xbox Live" event was a great idea. Is there any way fans can get with you guys now on Xbox Live, PSN, or Steam to get some multiplayer in every now and then?

Any plans for little events like that in the future?

Yeah. That was fun. I got my ass kicked every time though. Maybe i'll do it again and turn it into a weekly segment called "Kick Nick's Ass!" I'm more of a single player gamer. I game to get away from people, not play with others haha.

I did like talking to the fans with the headset though, and I know Bassil is obsessed with Smash and Alex is decent at FPS and RTS games. I'll make it happen when the time is right.

-Nick

Opinion on Kung Fury and would you like to work on the sequel?

Always down for Film Score work, but we've never been approached. I haven't seen Kung Fury, but I've heard it rocks.

Would you ever consider collaborating with other video game metal artists or power metal bands in the future? Tony Kakko was a great pick for the pokemon theme and maybe DragonForce would be interested in a guest guitar appearance (a man can hope!).

p.s. Blatant plug for /r/videogamemetal

Dragonforce are some of our best buds, and we've already talked to them about collaborating, but we haven't found the right song or gotten anything to sound awesome yet. The day will eventually come though.

finally found your music, the x-men cover is good, goes into a solo after the song, but not bad playing, any sonic covers?

also you guys should try to do something with smooth mc groove.

Search for "Powerglove So Sexy Robotnik" on Youtube. You won't be dissapointed.

Have you guys covered Castlevania music? Especially Symphony of the Night and Curse of Darkness.

Search for "Powerglove Vanquish the Horrible Night" on youtube. You won't be dissapointed.

What do you think of Jay-Z and X-Men?

Does that exist? Please tell me it doesn't. MARVEL! USE OUR VERSION OF XMEN IN YOUR NEXT MOVIE DAMN YOU!!!

Hey guys! I saw you at the Boardwalk in Sacramento with the Turisas and no show has ever lived up to it since! I was the guy wearing a Zelda tee. You came up to me after your set and mentioned you were gonna play power,wisdom, courage but you were sick. You autographed my album and gained a fan for life! Any chance you guys will be coming to Chico?

How's it going Von_Underscore! I love hearing stories like that. We sound like a kid trying to make an excuse for not doing his homework. Hopefully the next time we're in Sacramento, you'll get to hear Power Wisdom Courage, before anyone in the band tries to call the WAHmbulance. -Nick