The OneUps
The OneUps | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Fayetteville, Arkansas |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Troggo Studio[1] |
| Members | Jared Dunn, Mustin, Tim Yarbrough, William Reyes, Anthony Lofton |
| Past members | Nathan McLeod |
| Website | theoneups |
The OneUps is an independent video game cover band, which primarily covers songs from classic video games of the 1980s and 1990s.
History
The band was formed in Lafayetteville in 2000 by Mustin, McLeod and Reyes, then still in college. The group initially got together to perform covers of the Super Mario Kart soundtrack.[2] The group performed at smaller venues such as dive bars initially. An early contributor to the Nintendocore scene, The OneUps were one of three bands to perform at the inaugural MAGFest in 2002. The group continued performing at smaller events throughout the 2000s and released two albums, though these sold poorly. When they were invited to perform live at the Penny Arcade Expo in 2007, they intended it to be their final performance. However, the experience of performing in front of 5,000 people and the sudden uptick in album sales led the band to continue.[3]
The band performed at numerous other events, becoming a recurring performance at MAGFest throughout the 2010s and continuing to release albums. This included Super Mario Kart Album in 2010, for which the band recorded a music video.[4] The OneUps were featured on Chrono Trigger tribute album Chronicles of Time, which raised money for Doctors Without Borders.[5] Tommy Tallarico requested that the group contribute to the 2017 vinyl reissue of the Earthworm Jim soundtrack, and the OneUps ultimately recorded a cover of What the Heck for Side C of the collection.[2][6] The band released a 20th anniversary compilation album in 2022, simply entitled "20", including one track from each of their eight studio albums. 20 was released as a limited run vinyl edition only.[7]
Musical style
The OneUps perform covers of video game music, which have been described as rock, fusion, funk and jazz.[2] In addition to instruments common to rock, the group make use of keyboards and a saxophone.[8]
Discography
Studio albums
- Volume 1 (2005)
- Volume 2 (2008)
- Super Mario Kart Album (2010)
- Intergalactic Redux (2011)
- Intergalactic Continuum (2012)
- Songs for the Recently Deceased (2014)
- Part Seven (2016)
- Volume 4 (2019)
- Arkadia Retrocade (2022)
See also
References
- ^ "News - Upcoming Vinyl Album from The OneUps Features Songs from TMNT II: The Arcade Game and More". Co-Optimus.
- ^ a b c Goldman, Tom (September 29, 2009). "The OneUps Bring the Funk to Videogame Music". Escapist.
- ^ Mahardy, Mike (October 2, 2013). "The OneUps: Your friendly neighborhood cover band". Polygon.
- ^ "The OneUps release Super Mario Kart album, music video". May 4, 2010.
- ^ Good, Owen S. (February 14, 2016). "Huge Chrono Trigger soundtrack tribute available now".
- ^ "Legendary EARTHWORM JIM Soundtrack is Getting a Gorgeous Vinyl Release". Nerdist.
- ^ Paltridge, Peter (October 26, 2022). "The OneUps Release 20th Anniversary Album".
- ^ published, Brett Elston (April 6, 2010). "Game music of the day: The OneUps". gamesradar.