Groove to new tunes in Amped 2; Punk Rock Band Eleventeen to be featured on the soundtrack

by Louis Bedigian

When Amped 2 is released this fall, you’ll hear more than 300 different music tracks from several indie rock bands.  Eleventeen is the game’s top band, and its frontman was kind enough to tell GameZone all about it.

Early this morning, the up-and-coming punk rock band Eleventeen took time out of their rockstar lives to chat with GameZone Online.  As usual, we got a little crazy before the interview took place.  Being huge music fans, the GameZone staff decided to start a band of their own.  We played a few live sets at a couple of local nightclubs, doing covers of classic hits like “Games People Play.”

Then we began writing our own music.  We couldn’t afford a producer, but we just happen to have a picture of Don Gilmore sitting around the office, so we used that for guidance and inspiration.  “Devoured By a Snake” was the first track we recorded.  It’s about a group of guys who get dumped by their girlfriends.  Life then takes a turn for the worst when they become unhealthily addicted to Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.

The fast-paced “Triple Jump” will be followed by a heart-breaking ballad, "I'd Give 100 Credits For You" and the ultra-inspiring "Will You Be My Tifa Lockhart?"  With great songs like those, we wanted a name for the band that emphasized the depth of our music.

One staffer came up with the perfect name.  Unfortunately, The Ataris was already taken.  That led us to having a meeting in which we brainstormed for hours.  GZ Topp, Cube 182, Semi-Sonic, Both Eyes Blind (From Playing Too Much), The Rolling GameZones...  Nothing seemed to work.

Our album is still in production though (we're still working on the last track, "Game Boys and Girls"), so we're holding off on a name for now.

Until that time, we're going to continue our duties as game journalists.

Eleventeen’s first record, In The Air, was released this past February.  They’ve recently lent their talents to Microsoft’s upcoming snowboarding game, Amped 2, and were happy to share their thoughts with GameZone Online.

When was Eleventeen formed?

Joshua Colburn, Lead Singer: Eleventeen was formed 3 years ago.

Where did the name "Eleventeen" come from?

JC: We tried to come up with a name we would all hate so we picked Eleventeen.

How did you break into the music industry?

JC: We work really hard.  We play a lot of shows and we eat, breath and sleep Eleventeen. 

While riding the slopes in Amped 2,

bands like Eleventeen will keep your ears entertained.

Microsoft is using your song, "Come Clean" in the trailer promoting their upcoming snowboarding game, Amped 2.  How did your music end up in this highly anticipated sequel?

JC: A guy named Brenner [Adams, Product Planner] contacted us and asked if he could use the song.  He is one of the guys heading up Amped 2.

Do you think video games are a superior way of getting new music out there?

JC: I wouldn’t call it superior yet but I think it will eventually get there.  A lot of bands are starting to get heard for the first time because of games.

What was "Come Clean" written about?

JC: Come Clean is a song about being at your lowest of lows and being able to say I messed up and then starting the climb back up.

Was any additional recording done for the game, or is Microsoft just using the album version?

JC: No just the album version.
 

Amped 2 won’t be out till fall,

but Eleventeen’s first album, In The Air, is available now.

Aside from playing during the game, will your song be accessible from a
menu screen so that players can listen to the music separately?

JC: I believe so.

Do you have any other songs in Amped 2?

JC: I think they are using three of our songs.

Is Microsoft sponsoring or going to be involved with your tour at all?

JC: No they haven’t done anything except put our song on the game, but I think we will get Amped 2 for free.  Oh yeah and they took us out to lunch.

Speaking of touring, what are your tour plans?  Are you going to perform at any music stores, such as Tower Records?

JC: We are doing the Warped Tour this summer and after that we don’t really have any plans

Would you like to lend your musical talents to other video games?

JC: Sure, I would love to.

What are your first and second favorite topics to write songs about?

JC: Most of the lyrics I write are from personal experiences, so it’s hard to put a finger on a single topic, let alone two of them.

If this snowboarder were a rockstar,

he’d probably write about broken bones, not broken hearts.

Which bands have had the biggest influence on your music?

JC: We all have different influences, such as The Smiths, Jimmy Eat World, the Foo Fighters, Knapsack, Jeff Buckley, and lots of others.  Too many to list.

Does anyone in the band play video games?

JC: I would say I’m the biggest video game fan in the band.

What's your favorite game system?  What are your current favorite games?

JC: Xbox all the way.  And my all time favorite game is Rygar on the NES, but Halo is awesome.  I can’t wait for Halo 2 to come out.  It would be great to have a song on that game.

“Do you think anyone can tell that my hand is super-glued to this board?”

What are your thoughts on Xbox Live?

JC: It’s cool.

Where can fans go to learn more about your music?  Do you have a Web site?

JC: Yeah, it’s www.eleventeenhq.com, and to buy our record go to www.sessionsrecords.com.

Thank you for your time, Joshua.