Punch Kids

Link: Xasthur with Nachtmystium – Beyond Light (Twilight cover) Live.

Back in the early days of the computer game industry, the music, as well as everything else, had to be painstakingly programmed in by hand. Getting the music to sound anything like a real tune was hard enough, but getting the instruments to sound anywhere near authentic was almost impossible. Thankfully, as the 80’s turned into the 90’s, machines got bigger and better, and with a lot more resources to not only incorporate music, but to make a half decent job of reproducing the instruments as well.

At the time, the market leader in game music quality was the Commodore 64; which had three whole audio channels to play around with; while rivals Spectrum, Atari, Amstrad and PC had to make do with single channel ‘plinky-plonky’ music and sound effects. Then along came the Commodore Amiga (and thanks to stolen blueprints, the Atari ST), with new 16-bit technology, and up to 8 available audio channels to mix down to high quality stereo. In addition, the Amiga (and ST) were fully MIDI compatible; which essentially meant that a computer and a synthesizer would be linked directly to each other at last. It wasn’t long before the seasoned hacks of game audio realised the possibilities of this new solution, and began to experiment.

These are some of the most memorable theme tunes to come out of that five year period, before the CD brought studio sound to the world of gaming. Note: Due to the limitations of the Youtube media available, some of these soundtracks are cut short, are of poor quality, or do not represent the game graphics to their fullest or most fluid. This is the first of two lists which will eventually comprise the 20 best.

Link: Top 10 Soundtracks Created On The Amiga.

KRS-One comes to San Francisco and drops knowledge at the Academy of Art before performing at the Red Devil Lounge

This fascinating, brilliant 20-minute video narrates the history of the “Amen Break,” a six-second drum sample from the b-side of a chart-topping single from 1969. This sample was used extensively in early hiphop and sample-based music, and became the basis for drum-and-bass and jungle music — a six-second clip that spawned several entire subcultures. Nate Harrison’s 2004 video is a meditation on the ownership of culture, the nature of art and creativity, and the history of a remarkable music clip.

Link: Amen Break Documentary.

Link: Estradasphere – Burnt Corpse Epic Doobie Mix.

Link: Merzbow live in Kung-Tu, Korea and Kobe ‘91

Each one of the songs on this lis brought back some serious memory’s.

Have to say Gummi Bears, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and M.A.S.K are fighting it out in the top spot in my mind.

With a special mention to Duck Tales and Chip n Dales Rescue Rangers.

Link: The 10 Best 80s Cartoon Theme Songs.

He treats ‘em like suds you duds !

Link: Poppa Large- Ultamagnetic MC’s

Link: Saul Williams – Children of the Night

Link: Bionic Fuse – Mr. Nogatco