A Band of Gamers

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104 Eight Cores A Week Apr 27, 2016

Show notes

Shane is tongue tied after the cherry blossoms disappear but manages to give a state of the union for racing games on current gen consoles. He also ponders an XBOX One after hearing Joel's review of Quantum Break. Joel unboxes his Wii U for the third time and admires the guitar prowess of Prince.

Get the links and show notes here.

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103 Tales From The Dark Zone Jukebox Apr 20, 2016

Show notes

It's grilling season so the guys toss their favorite meat on the barbecue before hitting up what they've been playing, give Tom Clancy's The Division a thorough review, discuss notable new music releases, share their record store day loot and play out the show with a funk/soul tune from Charles Bradley.

Icebreaker

What is your favorite food to grill out?

0:03:00 Side A Video Games

Review Tom Clancy's The Division

0:32:55 Side B Music

Music played in this episode

Intro by Tiny Rockets "Ghost" TinyRocketsRgo
Outro by Charles Bradley "Ain't It A Sin" Changes

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102 Lovely Rita Peter Played (Chillblast Fusion Division Gaming PC Review) Apr 13, 2016

Show notes

Shane is lonely when in an orange status and Karl cannot stop singing Lovely Rita to his new gaming rig.

Icebreaker

If you had to eat a worm, how would you cook it?

0:03:00 Side A Video Games

Review Chillblast Fusion Division Gaming PC

0:39:45 Side B Music

Music played in this episode

Intro by Tiny Rockets "Ghost" TinyRocketsRgo
Outro by Twin River "Antony" Passing Shade

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101 XBOX Elite Controller Review And Why Joel Will Never Be A Pro Gamer Apr 05, 2016

Show notes

Joel proves he'll never be a pro gamer and reviews the XBOX One Elite Wireless Controller. Karl can't get enough of the Final Fantasy XV demo and shares the specs of his new gaming rig. Shane hits his way out of the flu slump with MLB The Show 16 and misses a few up-close enemies in the Doom closed multiplayer beta. In Side B the guys mention a few notable new releases and play a tune from Mechanical Life Vein and face to face.

Icebreaker

In a pinch, what is your go to meal?

0:03:40 Side A Video Games

0:31:00 Review // XBOX Elite Wireless Controller

0:43:30 Side B Music

Music Played In This Episode

Intro by Tiny Rockets "Ghost" TinyRocketsRgo
Side Flip by Mechanical Life Vein "Title" from the Nintendo Entertainment System classic Metroid
Outro by face to face "Double Crossed" Protection

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100 Salt and Sanctuary Review with a Side of Ask Anything Mar 28, 2016

Show notes

Joel, Shane and Karl reveal embarrassing moments, put a positive spin on Sony closing Evolution Studios, review Salt and Sanctuary, answer listener questions and choose their favorite song from the first 99 episodes.

Icebreaker

What is the most embarrassing moment as a co-host on ABOG?

0:05:23 Side A Video Games

Review Salt and Sanctuary

0:32:00 Side B Music

Favorite tunes from the first 99

Joel's favorite --- Dogs in Ecstasy "I'm A Man" Welcome 2 Hell
Shane's favorite --- The HandGrenades "A Heart Like Yours" 52
Karl's favorite --- Black State Highway "Broken" Black State Highway

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099 PlayStation Vue for Cord Cutters and Firewatch Review Mar 22, 2016

Show notes

Joel reviews Firewatch and feels dirty watching television with PlayStation Vue, Shane visits the arcade in his living room to play Bubble Bobble and Karl rationalizes playing two shooter MMO's at the same time since starting Tom Clancy's The Division. This before the guys give their impressions on new music releases from Iggy Pop, Damien Jurado, Brian Fallon and face to face. With a St. Patrick's Day appropriate tune, The Gleasons close out the episode.

Icebreaker

How do you catalog and organize your physical music collection?

0:03:35 Side A Video Games

PlayStation VR details announced including price and launch month, and the guys revisit their interest level now that they have the full skinny.
Kotaku claims that sources tell them Sony is working on a Playstation 4.5. Is this Sony trying to keep up with Microsoft who previously detailed potential plans for an upgraded XBOX One or just a rumor?
XBOX to support cross-network play.

Playing // Shane and Karl join forces in brotherhood (PS4), Karl is hooked on Tom Clancy's The Division (PS4) and gives his impressions of the game. He then tries to make the point that playing two first person shooter / MMO style games at the same time is possible and feasible. As long as you're in the sweet spot with one of them. Karl remembers his weekly obligation so played some Rocket League. This time representing ABOG in a tourney set up by ESL. Shane relives his youth thanks to PlayStation's Arcade Archives series. They released Bubble Bobble (PS4) this past week so he lost his mind and then played a ton. Even posted a high score of 271,000 to their server if you want to chase it down (PSN: Skippynixx). When he wasn't playing Bubble Bobble, Shane checked out the new Sky Fortress dlc in Just Cause 3 (PS4). Claims it's the greatest thing to happen to Just Cause. Joel finished Firewatch (PS4) and gives it a review. Spoilers- Buy It! PS Nation says Joel sounds like the main character and he doesn't argue with them about it. Speaking of, he recently sat in on one of their episodes which you can listen to here (link). Joel cut the cord years ago but is inching his way back towards a regular cable bill thanks to the new PlayStation Vue service. He gives his impressions of the service hopefully to help you decide if it's worth the guilt. Although he's really enjoying it, he feels guilty by the added expense and the fact he's getting up there in monthly television bills again between this and all the other services he subscribes to. Will he find enough ways to offset the additional cost?

0:51:15 Side B Music

face to face Protection (Fat Wreck Chords)
Brian Fallon Painkillers
Iggy Pop Post Pop Depression
Damien Jurado Visions of Us on the Land (Secretly Canadian)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer Pictures at an Exhibition.
Karl shares how his last name may have been influenced by ELP and how it helped him get some drum equipment more easily. Prog rock is difficult to listen to, but it's also really rewarding.
The Gleasons ring in St. Patrick's Day at Anodyne Coffee in Milwaukee.

Music Played In This Episode

Intro by Tiny Rockets "Ghost" TinyRocketsRgo
Outro by The Gleasons "Ain't Coming Back (To This Barr)" Counting Sheep

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098 Dan Loosen and Midwest Gaming Classic Mar 13, 2016

Show notes

Joel and Shane are joined by Dan Loosen, co-founder and co-event organizer of Midwest Gaming Classic, and they talk about the evolution of Midwest Gaming Classic and how a community of passionate people saved it from extinction. Dan shares a mantra he learned working at Six Flags Great America that he applies to day-to-day life and contributes to running such a successful and popular annual event.

In Side B and since A Band of Gamers contributes MGC Music to Midwest Gaming Classic, they talk through their first year running it and what they've changed to make it even better in year two. Bob Dylan inadvertently provides Dan with his best concert experience and Michael Jackson tops off his list for dream line-up at a music festival.

Full show notes and more available at https://www.abandofgamers.com/episode/98

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097 Bad Segues Mar 08, 2016

Show notes

Karl unknowingly kicks off Intergalactic Shmuppreciation Month and buys tickets for the upcoming Download Festival. Joel gets stuck in Broforce, climbs a tower in Firewatch and downloads the new app from Discogs. Shane applies balance learned from the last episode, shares his passion for La Sera's latest, and talks some guitars inspired by Todd Wisenbaker's chops.

Icebreaker

It's Saturday morning, what's the first thing you do when you get up?

0:03:20 Side A Video Games

Reactions to announcements from the XBOX Spring Showcase. Shane is excited for the recently announced Just Cause 3 dlc. Karl shares his impressions of the Uncharted 4 multiplayer stress test. No Man's Sky gets a release date and ABOG supports the $60 price tag.

0:22:00 Playing // Galak-Z (PS4) kicks off Intergalactic Shmuppreciation Month (credit to Drunken Gamers Radio), Karl can't stop playing Borderlands 2 and uses a PS3 specific cheat to help get closer to the PS4 platinum trophy (PS3 & PS4), NHL 16 (PS4), Star Wars Battlefront online Saturday nights (PS4), Broforce (PS4), obligatory weekly Rocket League talk, Firewatch (PS4)

0:41:15 Side B Music

The Official Discogs App is finally available and the guys share their impressions. Joel discovers CW Ayon Enough to be Proud. Karl buys tickets for Download Festival which leads to discussions about such bands as Black Sabbath, Tesseract, Skindred, NOFX and Sigue Sigue Sputnik. Shane is enjoying La Sera's latest release and impressed with Todd Wisenbaker's guitar playing. He talks about the guitarist's axes and then closes out the show with a tune off of Music For Listening To Music To.

Music Played In This Episode

Intro by Tiny Rockets "Ghost" TinyRocketsRgo
Outro by La Sera "High Notes" Music For Listening To Music To

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Thank you for listening! If you ejoy the show and would like to support ABOG, please tell a friend and share it on social media.

096 Your Ping Is Higher Than Your Score Mar 01, 2016

Show notes

Spending more time in the studio and less in the gaming room for a proper geezer balance. Karl has an ear for drums and his hands on the cards. Shane hocks a loogie at his landlord and drives more video game cars. Joel plants a garden with Old Earth and discovers some new jazz.

Icebreaker

Ever have a friend recommend a video game and/or band that made you cringe but later became one of your favorites?

0:06:00 Side A Video Gamers

Balancing video games with other hobbies specifically being sure gaming doesn't take a disproportionate amount of free time.

0:20:35 Playing // Borderlands 2 (PS4), The Four Kings Casino and Slots (PS4), Lego Marvel's Avengers (PS4), Destiny: The Taken King Iron Banner (PS4), Project Cars (PS4), Rocket League (PS4), Driveclub (PS4), Plants Vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 (XBOX One), Gears of War: Ultimate Edition co-op (XBOX One)

0:41:45 Side B Music

Karl laments the fees he paid for his Steel Panther tickets but is stoked to go and see them. Shane is listening to La Sera's latest and enjoying it so much he bought tickets for their upcoming Vancouver gig. Joel is enjoying the new Old Earth album Lay for June and just discovered Kamasi Washington's The Epic. Friend of the show from Ep68, Mike Mann, has a new record coming out in March from his band RedBelt and the guys share a tune from the upcoming release.

Music Played In This Episode

Intro by Tiny Rockets "Ghost" TinyRocketsRgo
Outro by RedBelt "Beautiful Surround" Beautiful Surround

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Thank you for listening! If you ejoy the show and would like to support ABOG, please tell a friend and share it on social media.

095 Proper Geezers Feb 23, 2016

Show notes

Bored of the museum, Shane heads for the bar and then to play the new Street Fighter V before being booted from the servers. Since he can no longer connect, the guys share their all-time favorite fighting games. Afterward Karl goes Sky High in Rocket League and Joel hosts a record night.

Icebreaker

Favorite exhibit in a museum?

0:04:30 Side A Video Games

Favorite fighting games of all time, ADR1FT Clair de lune Trailer and how it has shifted Joel and Shane's opinion of VR

0:23:30 Playing // Street Fighter V (PS4), Shane sleeps through half of Star Wars Battlefront, The Walking Dead, Karl scores Sky High in Rocket League Season 2, Boosting ABOG FC players in FIFA 16, Tom Clancy's The Division beta (PS4 & XBOX One), Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 (XBOX One)

0:48:00 Side B Music

Record night (Spotify Playlist) - Nevermen, Alkaline Trio My Shame is True, Them Crooked Vultures, Tenement Predatory Headlights, Faith No More King for a Day Fool for a Lifetime, Prong X, Valerie June Pushin' Against a Stone, The Big Lebowski soundtrack. Shane brings us a taste from Deep Sea Diver's latest after talking about their new album a bit.

Music Played In This Episode