Since discussion on video-game music has been quite the subject I thought I'd bring the following to your attention. A coproduction between Micromusic Netherlands and Productiehuis Oost-Nederland (ON) sprung to life a project with members of the Dutch Riciotti ensemble and conductor Bas Wiegers for a real classical C64 Orchestra. Micro Music and ON approached two of the most experienced C64-composers of the 1980's, Rob Hubbard and Jeroen Tel. The Dutch Ricciotti ensemble will perform their music, with scoring done by Rob Hubbard himself. The game scores that are to be performed include the following Rob Hubbard compositions: Monty on the Run, One Man And His Droid and International Karate. Also Jeroen Tel's Cybernoid II, Hawkeye, Myth and Supremacy will be performed.
It seems like more and more amateur bands are doing covers and re-imaginings of classic computer and videogame themes. The latest such band gaining some attention is The Minibosses, a Phoenix act that has even made it on on NPR. The Minibosses specialize in Nintendo classics. What a perfect blend of dark and dork: Heavy metal versions of 8-bit tunes! I'm in heaven--or, Valhalla, at least.
My favorite game cover band is Press Play On Tape, a group from Copenhagen that do some pretty outstanding C-64 tunes. If you haven't seen their fabulous Boy Band Video, do yourself a favor and check it out now!