The Retroist » Music

8-Bit Demakes of Classic TV Show Themes

The Retroist — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:00:02 +0000

If you listen to the Retroist Podcast, you probably hear the music of site regular Peachy all the time. In addition to making very fine original music he also engages in a hobby. He likes to remake or “demake” classic TV shows in 8-bit format. He just released a fresh crop of them on his Soundcloud page and each one is wonderful (I am sure you will hear them again on some future podcast). So give them a listen, download them and enjoy some re-interpreted TV audio magic.

Swamp Thing Public Service Announcement

Saturday World — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:00:28 +0000

I love bad cinema. I also love movies based off of comics and cartoons. When I have the ability to combine the two, it makes for some interesting adventures (or torture…sometimes I get the two mixed up).

I was watching The Return of Swamp Thing (1989) on DVD the other day (there was nothing on TV and it had been years since I watched it), and I decided that I would check out the special features. I’m glad that I did, for I had found one of the greatest hidden treasures that such a horrible movie could give me…Swamp Thing in a PSA for Greenpeace.

I think the greatest part is the pun at the end. I can’t help but laugh each time I watch this. It’s so horrible.

Thanks to YouTube user Quackerson for the upload.

Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest – “Bloody Tears” (1988)

VicSage — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:54:06 +0000

I have quite a lot of fondness for the second adventure of Simon Belmont on the Nintendo Entertainment System, Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest. It might have had something to do with that horrific cover to the second issue of Nintendo Power, you know the one I’m talking about…

…the issue that caused many parents to call the magazine’s headquarters and complain that the cover had given their children nightmares. I guess back in the day we just weren’t ready for a costumed man holding the severed head of Count Dracula?

One of the things I loved most about the sequel to Castlevania was its soundtrack, the music just set the mood for me. My favorite bit of music though was entitled Bloody Tears by the game’s composer, Kenichi Matsubara.

[Via] KamilDowonna’s YouTube Channel!

Take just a few seconds to listen to that and tell my you aren’t ready to go whip a few skeletons on the mouth!

One-Hit Wonder: Diesel

TheSixMillionDollarJedi — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:17:29 +0000

The band Diesel peaked at #25 on the Top 40 charts with “Sausalito Summernight” back in 1981. There is no official video for the song so here is a “video” of the track. It’s very catchy and a great summer cruising song.

8 Bit Weapon has a new Album, “Bits with Byte”

The Retroist — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:00:12 +0000

I am a big fan of the band 8 Bit Weapon, I have even used their music in The Retroist Podcast, so I am very pleased to announce that just over a week ago, the dynamic digital duo released their new album, “Bits with Byte”. Crammed full of music, the new album has a whopping 17 tracks that take 8 bit Weapon to new heights with new sounds and style embellishments that are a treat for the ears and the brain.

1. Bits with Byte 03:01
2. Galactic Invasion 03:03
3. Apple Core II 01:57
4. The Art of Video Games Anthem 03:12
5. Miami Dub Bounce 02:39
6. We Fight for the Users 03:05
7. Drive Grinder 03:11
8. Escape from Xenon 03:08
9. Goodbye Cochise 01:36
10. Closer 2.00 2:45
11. Micro Boogie 2.0 03:45
12. Chip On Your Shoulder (Electric High Mix) 03:20
13. Closer (8 Bit Bandit Remix) 06:02
14. Chip On Your Shoulder (Sanxion7 Remix) 03:30
15. Bits with Byte Demo 02:54
16. The Art Of Video Games Anthem Demo 03:16
17. Galactic Invasion Demo 02:54

There are multiple options for picking up the album. You can sample the album and purchase it in multiple formats at Bandcamp or if iTunes is more your thing, you can get it there as well. Either way you decide to get it, you will not be disappointed. 8 Bit Weapon has been together for over a decade now and “Bits that Byte” brings to bear the pair’s exceptional (almost unprecedented?) genre experience and talent. I have had the album running on a loop for over a week and a half now and if you like chiptune, 8 bit and 16 bit music, you will as well. So pick up a copy of Bits that Byte today.