THWOMP Interview: On Video Games and Characters

In Part Seven of this interview series, Brad Stanton and Dave Marshall of the Nintendo® cover band THWOMP chat about video games. This interview was originally published on Suite101.com on July 2010.

Nintendo® cover band THWOMP share their music with gaming enthusiasts young and old. Inspired by the music of video game composers Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy), Koji Kondo (Super Mario Bros) and more music from retro video games will appear in the band’s debut CD coming out in the fall of 2010.

Brad Stanton (lead guitar) and Dave Marshall (keyboards/percussion) from THWOMP take a break from their Animethon 17 and CD release preparations to chat with me. 

THWOMP on Favorite Video Games

Dave: "That’s a really difficult question. The list of games that I’ve played for more hours than I care to admit IS longer than I care to admit...I would say “Super Mario World” is in my Top 15, but the Mario games, aside from that one, they’re OK.

We’re all big RPG fans. We all love “Final Fantasy VI”. “Chrono Trigger” is in there too...“Secret of Mana”... other favorite games...“Super Mario Kart” and then completely different stuff, like “Ultima Online” and “Quake 1”...“Mass Effect”, really was absolutely amazing. Maybe my favorite game ever."

Brad: "It’s like you’re asking me to pick a child...[Super Mario] – that doesn’t even make my Top Ten. Not even close...“Master of Orion II”. Write that down. Put that in the article somewhere. That game is so amazing."

THWOMP on the Final Fantasy Franchise

Dave & Brad: "The only game that we actually stray outside of our format for is “Final Fantasy VII” for PlayStation because it had to be done."

Having said this, FFVII isn't one of the group's favorites. "It's one of the most popular games of all time; but in terms of Final Fantasy, that’s my least favorite," said Dave. "I didn’t really like that one very much. I think that’s where they got away from everything I loved about the Final Fantasy’s of the Super Nintendo® and started to go in this new direction they’re on now. It’s more like a TV show."

If you could be a video game character, who would it be?

Brad: "I’ve never ever thought about that. Who’d I want to be? Man, I don’t know, the guy from “Excitebike”?"

This idea got shot down by Dave, "C’mon. You can do better than that."

Dave: "I’ll go with Commander Shepard from “Mass Effect”. I’m a huge science-fiction fan. Massive. I really love that concept of that universe. I think that’s really brilliant. Rich and believable. The weird thing about that character is that you can make him who you want to. You really get to pick what he’s like.

Brad: "How about Minsc from “Baldur’s Gate”? You get to carry around a huge broadsword and a little hamster you talk to."

THWOMP is a Nintendo® band comprised of Calgarians Brad Stanton (lead guitar), Colin Mitchel (lead guitar), Scott Munro (bass), Scott Moffat (drums), David Marshall (keyboards/percussion) and Kirk McVean (keyboards). The bandmates hope that their musical trip down memory lane inspires listeners to dust off their old gaming consoles and video games. Or lead them buy or rent video games they loved to play while growing up.

For more information about THWOMP, the band or to listen to audio clips, visit their website and Myspace page.

Full interview series: Part 1 – THWOMP’s Origins | Part 2 – Band Names & Niches | Part 3 – Songwriting | Part 4 - Hey! Listen! CD Release | Part 5 - On Gigs | Part 6 - Convention Gigs | Part 7 - Video Games | Part 8 - Fun & Food

Lightening My Load

My family and friends know that I'm constantly searching for the perfect everyday purse. At first, I wanted a bag to hold everything.

My go-to purse for the longest time was this trusty Baggallini that sadly is no longer made, although it does look like this Everywhere Bagg is an upgraded version of my purse.:

Designed by flight attendants, the interior is roomy. There are plenty of slots and pockets to keep yourself organized, along with a removable coin purse/wallet:

And fill it, I did. It got too heavy, very quickly.

Then, I flitted around, trying smaller purses, in the hopes of just using a tote bag to carry stuff. I just couldn't find one that matched the slick design of this Baggallini.

Recently, I bought this "Mini" Flutter Cross-body purse:

The compartments are slick, although not as ingenious as the Baggalini. The water bottle holder on the side is great.

However, this type of bag also gets heavy very quickly, once loaded up. Let's just say my shoulders aren't happy with me.

When I volunteered at the Calgary Expo last month, I knew I needed something simple while on my shifts. I found this extremely compact Luggage Sling Safe handbag by Pacsafe:

It's tiny and holds all my essentials, with a bit of room to spare. I could even use it as a waist pack. Here's the bonus: there are several anti-theft features which is reassuring when you are out and about in crowds or traveling far from home. There are several locks, an RFID-blocking pocket for your passport, bank and credit cards and wire mesh throughout to stop purse slashers in their tracks.

I brought my trusty MEC dayback to hold my water bottles, snacks, hoodie and geek loot. My load was therefore evenly distributed.

You can see where this is going, can't you? My quest for the perfect purse is really a metaphor for streamlining my life.

I've learned two things that I've learned in this journey. First, my core purse can be small and simple, but it needs to be organized and secure. Second, all that searching for a perfect bag could have ended with me just switching between my already solid collection of day packs and tote bags depending on my travel needs of the day.

Solid core, flexible outside. That applies to so many areas of life, doesn't it?

LEGO Masterpieces at the Calgary Expo and Beyond

One of the popular displays at the 2013 Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo was the Star Wars Endor display in Halls D & E, complete with Storm Troopers on speeder bikes, zipping along. This is the video I shot of the display:

Props to the Southern Alberta LEGO Users' Group for creating such a masterpiece.

There is definitely no shortage of LEGO geeks and masterpieces around the world. Check these out:

Who knew you could become a certified LEGO professional? There are even books about being an adult LEGO builder: The Cult of LEGO and The Unofficial LEGO Builders' Guide.

This pop up LEGO display by a Japanese man really takes the cake:

すごい です ね？

Red & White Club Comic & Toy Expo 2011 Review

Fans of comic books, figurines, collectibles and geeky toys gathered at this year's Red & White Club Comic & Toy Expo in Calgary, AB on October 16, 2011.

Comic fans of all ages flocked to the Red & White Club in Calgary for the 17th annual Comic & Toy Expo, held Sunday, October 16, 2011 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. This year's event boasted more vendors, more special guests and more costumes than last year.

Comic Artists and TV Celebrities Among Special Guests

Cary Nord (Star Trek: The Next Generation and Conan the Barbarian) and Riley Rossmo (Cowboy Ninja Vikings) made a return appearance as special guests. One fresh face on the scene was Scott Kowalchuck, a Calgary-based artist who co-created the series The Intrepids (Image Comics).

Also making an appearance at this year's comic con was the Quickdraw Animation Society. Quickdraw is a production and education facility in Calgary, Alberta. Quickdraw showcased some of their colourful 8-bit animations.

TV hosts Sheldon Smithers and Scott Cozens also met with fans. The duo love vintage items. Their show, “Canadian Pickers” (History Channel) follows them on their cross-country hunt in search of folk art, vintage collectibles and other gems.

Costume Contest Attracts a Huge Crowd

Various eras in comic history were represented at this year's costume contest. Supergirl, Batgirl and Shazam were among the classic comic superheroes. X-Men, Iron Man and Halo were among some of the more contemporary entries. People also saw triple with at least three Dr. Who's wandering the hall. With 28 entries, cosplay is a huge draw at the Comic & Toy Expo.

Third place went to a team featuring “Harlequin” and a young “Batgirl”. “Mystique” took second place. Her unique costume featured a likeness to several X-Men characters. First place went to “Iron Man Mark 1”. It took Jeremy Nordstom three months to make his winning costume. He used plastic, metal and wood for his suit, which weighed a hefty 75 pounds.

Tables and Tables of Old Comics, Vintage Toys, Face-painting and More

The vendors tables sold out well before the event. There were some familiar tables, including Olivier Antiques & Collectibles, Treasure Cove and Out of Chaos. “Isn't the atmosphere here today great?” asked Sid Olivier with a smile. One Star Wars fan was ecstatic when he checked out Treasure Cove's table: “I'm your dream for the vintage Star Wars and you're mine,” he told owner John Quong.

Attendees were introduced to some “fresh faces”. Jiggly Pig Comics from Victoria, BC, brought an extensive selection of comics. Amazing Stories Comics from Saskatoon, SK showcased printed t shirts, hoodies, “Goomba” toques and “+15 Frost Resistance” hats.

Some artists were on double duty. Cartoonist, film director, costume designer Rik Van Dyke sketched the faces of young fans onto their own comic book covers – when he wasn't selling geeky t shirts. He also was generating buzz for his upcoming movie “Bloodbeast”.

For those who didn't come to this comicon in costume, there was a fresh option. Amandamazing Art & Face Painting's table was busy with girls young and young at heart lining up to be painted.

This year's comic convention was more energetic than last year's event. The Red and White Club Comic & Toy Expo 2011 drew 727 attendees and close to 100 tables, featuring vendors, artists and clubs. Organizers are calling the 17th event, held October 16, 2011 at the Red & White Club beside McMahon Stadium, a huge success.

Originally published on Suite101.com on October 19, 2011. Updated May 3, 2013. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.

THWOMP Interview: On Gigs Past, Present and Future

In Part Five of this originally-published-for-Suite 101 exclusive interview, Brad Stanton and Dave Marshall of the Nintendo® cover band THWOMP discuss gigs past, present and future.

Calgary-based Nintendo® cover band THWOMP is gearing up for two exciting projects. They will rock Edmonton on August 6, 2010 at Animethon 17. In the fall, they will release their debut CD. Brad Stanton and Dave Marshall stopped by to discuss gigs past, present and future.

THWOMP's Take on Bar Gigs

The band has had its share of bar gigs over the years, which the guys are glad to put behind them. "We used to play around town a lot, actually," said Brad. "It’s kind of easy to play Calgary out. There just aren’t that many decent bars to play at."

Bars and clubs tend to attract regulars and only occasionally draw in new patrons, while family and friends go only so far. "Once it’s your fifth gig in three or four months, it’s harder to get all of your friends to come out to it," explained Brad. "They’ll all come out to the first few, because they love you."

The other downside of bar gigs is the low return on investment. Dave said, "They pay almost nothing and the people who go to the bar don’t go to the bar and expect to spend $50 on merchandise, so nobody buys merchandise either."

THWOMP members made a conscious decision to stop doing bar gigs and focus on conventions. They have not looked back since.

THWOMP on Cool Gigs

Dave recalled one of their favorite gigs, "One of our funny, semi-regular gigs is at the Canmore Hotel, which is a heritage building. I think it’s 120 years old, at least, and you can tell…We turn it into a pretty big party and there’s some band stories from those gigs that I don’t think we’ll share with you."

"What happens on the road stays on the road," added Brad.

THWOMP's Current Gigs

Anime conventions, gaming conventions and comic conventions are ideal stages for THWOMP. "The conventions really have our exact demographic – sitting there – already dressed up," said Brad. "We have made some crazy fans over the last two summers."

THWOMP plays regularly at Otafest, Calgary's annual anime convention and Edmonton's annual anime con, Animethon. In 2009, the band gave its debut performance at the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo.

The last gig had some bumps. "We were they only band they’ve ever had and you can tell," said Brad. "They had no idea what to do with us."

THWOMP on Dream Gigs

"I think we can all die happy if we played the Penny Arcade Expo," said Dave. The Penny Arcade Expo, or PAX for short, is held semi-annually in Seattle, WA. It is a gaming festival that hosts tournaments, freeplay areas, concerts and panels over the span of three days. "It’s probably the biggest gaming expo in the world, now that E3’s gone," added Dave.

Another dream gig for THWOMP would be MAGFest, held in Alexandra, VA. MAGFest is a video and computer gaming festival. Concerts by video game bands and jam sessions are featured prominently. "Too bad it’s about 3,000 miles away," said Brad.

Transcontinental gigs are hard for bands. "It’s not about the money but not losing money to get there," explained Dave. "Once you’re carting gear across the continent, it becomes very expensive."

Plus, being a niche band doesn’t make it any easier for bands like THWOMP. "It’s hard to stop at bars along the way and play to pay for your gas and food money," said Dave. "A lot of bars don’t want bands that don’t have singers and for good reason. That’s the world we live in. Ultimately, the more conventions we can regularly play the better."

Touring Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia is another "ultimate dream" for the band. "Getting paid to wander around Japan and play video game music would be really nice," added Brad.

THWOMP is a Nintendo® band comprised of Calgarians Brad Stanton (lead guitar), Colin Mitchel (lead guitar), Scott Munro (bass), Scott Moffat (drums), David Marshall (keyboards/percussion) and Kirk McVean (keyboards). For more information about THWOMP, the band or to listen to audio clips, visit their website and Myspace page.

Full interview series: Part 1 – THWOMP’s Origins | Part 2 – Band Names & Niches | Part 3 – Songwriting | Part 4 - Hey! Listen! CD Release | Part 5 - On Gigs | Part 6 - Convention Gigs | Part 7 - Video Games | Part 8 - Fun & Food