On a very special 19th episode of “Barrel Roll! A Video Game Podcast”, we spend the evening talking to Kyle Stevens and Jim Demonakos of Kirby Krackle. If you are not familiar, they have created the world’s first comic book rock band.

We delve into how the band was formed, their writing process, the new summer single (out on 6/30!), touring at comic conventions, and more!

Then we get into the games. What got Jim and Kyle into gaming, what games influenced the band and what we’re playing now.

Kyle even plays “Villain Song” and “Naked Wii” live on the show. Check it out, then head over to the band’s site and pick up their album. You’ll be glad you did.

Oh, and if you are wondering what was cut, it was a rousing game of chubby bunny. While fun, it turns out people shoving marshmallows in their mouths does not make for great audio. It was a close race and in the end Jim claims he was victorious, though Kyle denies that he actually was able to say “chubby bunny”. This conflict may never be solved.

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Show Links:
Kirby Krackle
Kyle Stevens Music
The Comic Stop
Emerald City ComiCon

The first thing that you notice when Conker walks into a room is the smell. It like wet dog and stale beer. This is a video game icon and, let’s face it, the guy stinks. He slides up casually to sit across from me at the pub where we are conducting our interview. It is a rule in England that all interviews have to be conducted at the local watering hole.

He lights up a cigarette and offers me one. His eyes have that feral look you sometimes see in animals on those world’s wildest home video shows. They are bloodshot and wild reflecting back more light than a human’s eye. The entire effect is disturbing. He motions a waitress over and orders himself a bottle of whiskey. He calls her <redacted>. She doesn’t seem to mind. Conker is a regular from what I hear, so I guess she’s used to it.

He begins pouring himself shots of whiskey.

I pull out my notepad and the interview begins.

Why don’t you start by telling our readers a little bit about what you have been up to for the past few years?

I have got a few projects kickin’ around. I have been touring with my band for a little while now.

(He begins punctuating each word with an air stab of his lit cigarette.)

You know this <redacted> industry is just trying to hold me back. Those guys at Rare are sitting on a pile of money. I should have starred in that stupid Pinata game. Don’t they know who I am? Do you know how many people would pay good money to see me punch a pinata in the face?

It seems with all of your success that you are still not satisfied.

You know the day you become satisfied is the day that you become complacent. If you are not putting yourself out there and constantly trying to improve then you’re just a <redacted>. You don’t want to be a <redacted>, do ya mate?

Are you suggesting that you would be up for another adventure?

You can only do so many remakes before its time for something new. There is only so many times you can fight the opera singing poop monster before its time to move on.

I mean think about this; they brought back Banjo.

Banjo.

Who ever gave a bloomin’ <redacted> about Banjo Kazooie? I have taken dumps with more talent than Banjo.

(He starts with the cigarette air stabs again.)

I should be talkin’ to my agent instead of chattin’ it up with you!

It seems like you have changed a lot over the years.  Can you talk about the split with Diddy Kong?

Well, you know as people get older they start to develop in different directions. He became a pansy little <redacted>.  I wanted to go out and meet women. All he wanted to do was to eat bloody bananas. I mean how many bananas do you really need? Talk about a substance abuse problem.

(He takes a drag off his cigarette and pours another shot of whiskey).

So what is next for Conker?

Well I have been trying to talk to the guys over at Team Ninja about getting into the next Dead or Alive game. Have you seen those girls? I’d like to take that Kasumi out back and <redacted>.

Tecmo threatened to call the bobbies on me if I didn’t <redacted> off.

Any plans to resume your political career?

You know when you’ve been a king… I mean where do you go from there?

Looking back is there anything you would change about your career?

Well when I came into this industry I was just a kid. I was 21 when we made Bad Fur Day. I am almost 30 now. I don’t know if I would have changed anything so much as I would have tried to take the time to enjoy my success.

When you are young and successful you think it is always going to be like this. You think you are always going to be on top. And then they sell your company and your left watching as less talented people get opportunities. God I hate Banjo. Make sure you print that.

I hate Banjo Kazooie.

What is it you want out of life?

Well I’ve been around the block a few times now. And I don’t think there is anything better than a nice pair of <redacted>. You can have all the money in the world mate just give me a <redacted> of <redacted> so I can <redacted>.

You know what I mean? Otherwise what’s the point?

Anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Yeah Banjo Kazooie sucks. And don’t ever loan money to  Mario. That <redacated> still owes me $50 from that night in Tijuana.

"Guitar Battle!"

While the next episode of “Barrel Roll! – A Video Game Podcast” (scheduled to go up Tuesday, the 16th) is being editing now, we are already prepping for next weeks show. This episode will feature special guests Kyle Stevens and Jim Demonakos from Kirby Krackle. If you have any questions for the guys, please post them here or email us at podcast@wingdamage.com.

We are also starting to prep for our next bonus episode of the show, in which we will be covering both Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. This will record sometime next month, and we’d also love to get your thoughts on the games. We’re starting to play through them this week and plan to finish them up by early next month for the recording.

On an extra special eighth episode of “Barrel Roll! – A Video Game Podcast”, we are up at 1am Sunday night after having a great time at Emerald City ComiCon. Thrill, as we attempt to not fall asleep while doing a con wrap up! Also, live Keytar intro featuring the demo button.

Jerry, who you might know from the Internet as Tycho Brahe, was kind enough to stop by the table. Not only did he pick up a copy of our book, but he was nice enough to do an interview with us as well. We talk about his earliest gaming memories, what he’s playing now, and what’s coming up for Penny Arcade.

But that’s not all!

Kris Straub, creator of Starslip (one of my personal favorite comics), also did an interview. Here we talked briefly on his early days of playing “Wing Commander” with his brother, and why the guys in “Gears of War” are not the gentlemen he would personally choose to hang out with.

Jesse, aka Main Finger, after a brisk five years has finally finished his latest album, “Mode7″. In the break we play Carnival Cave, a remix of Mystic Cave Zone from Sonic 2.

With all the con prep, none of us have had a lot of time for gaming this week. Luke did finally put Rogue Galaxy to rest, and Jonah attempted to play “Legends of Zork“, but the servers were down after only one night.

In the news, we discuss the recently released “Batman: Arkham Asylum” footage, and in Movie Time, Luke finally sees the “Back to the Future” trilogy!

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to see us at the show. You were wonderful! Also, to Jerry and Kris, you guys rock the socks of the blocks.

EDIT – You can see our pictures on my Flickr Page!

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"Pure Dedication To The Craft"

Justin McElroy is the Reviews Editor and a writer for popular gaming news site Joystiq.com, and has done freelance work for several publications over the years. He is also one of the hosts of the Joystiq Podcast, and is active in it’s fangroup the JPAG (Joystiq Podcast Appreciation Group).

Mr. McElroy was graceful enough to do an interview with WingDamage.com so we could get some insight into his work, and his life as a gamer.

Jonah: What got you into gaming? Any particular game or system that really peaked your interest?

Justin: I’m one of those lifelong guys, Atari, NES, the whole bit. I think maybe the closest I got to a lull was the few confusing pre-teen years before the PSOne was launched. I’d say that’s the system that made me … well, more into video games than my friends were. That’s where it all went wrong, I guess.

Jonah: Did you always want to write about games, or are you more of a writer who also happens to play games?

Justin: My degree is actually in acting and directing, though I’d been writing about games since I was about 12 years old. I’ve had some more respectable-type news paper gigs (beat reporter, news editor, etc.) but I was always writing about games.

Jonah: I know at least one of your brothers also writes for Joystiq. Has gaming always been a part of your family? Does your wife get into gaming?

Justin: It’s a big deal for Griffin and I, and it was always a big thing for us growing up. My dad always played with us and Griffin actually learned to read while we played JRPGs. My wife Sydnee is a few months shy of being a doctor, so she doesn’t have a whole lot of free time. That said, she enjoys the occasional puzzle or music game as much as everybody else.

Jonah: How did the Joystiq podcast come about, and how did you get involved?

Justin: The podcast had actually been around for 10 episodes before I got on. The thing is that those 10 episodes took them around 4 months to release, so they needed someone to sort of set it up and make it more regular. I basically shoehorned my way into it with begging, and eventually I took over the producing duties to keep things off my boss Chris’ plate.

Jonah: How has your roll changed now that you are the reviews editor at Joystiq?

Justin: I’ve got a lot less free time to just write, which is what I like the best. I’ve also had a lot of trouble convincing PR people that they need to send product our way, in part, I suspect, because we don’t put numbers on our reviews and can’t effect Metacritic. A lot more of my day than I’d like is spent trying to line up product. That said, I think reviews bring a lot to the site, and I’m still really glad we’re putting more of a focus on them.

Jonah: If you could change one thing in your industry (writing about games), what would it be?

Justin: If I could change one thing, it would be the attitude of the PR and marketing side that they’re the gatekeepers of information. On the one hand, I think they’ve discouraged original reporting by being so tight-lipped all the time. Also, access to the actual people who make games is so rare, and I think that could bring a lot to games coverage.

Jonah: How do you really feel about the JPAG? I mean, that Wesley guy is kind of shady…

Justin: The JPAG, the fact that that community exists, is one of the things I’m proudest of in my whole life. The knowledge that people have made real connections, lasting friendships, because of some dumb show I do means more to me than they suspect. Also, Jonah, the power. THE POWER, she’s intoxicating.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to Mr. McElroy for taking the time to talk to use today. You can check out his work at on the site and on the podcast at Joystiq.com.