First, tell us what it was like being in a band? The band name? How you get started? What role did you play? How long did you perform, etc? Also, talk about where your love for fighting games started.
Being in a band was a profound sense of relief and excitement for me, providing a productive outlet to channel my upbringing into heavy music. My most significant project was Forever Convicted, a group I formed with my high school best friend Andrew, our drummer Tony, and our bassist Greg. As the vocalist, I spent several years performing high-energy shows across Seattle and the surrounding area, with the absolute highlight being a radio interview before our very first gig. Parallel to my music, my love for fighting games began in childhood with Street Fighter II on the SNES and evolved through hours of Samurai Shodown 2 and Tekken 3, a passion I’ve joyfully rediscovered in adulthood.
Tell us what it was like being in a rock band? Why did you move on from the rock life?
Being in a band to me mostly felt like a huge weight lifted off me. I was an angry kid who needed an outlet. The fanfare, and popularity (what little we had) was a bonus. I moved on because when I started with my first band at 15 I promised myself that by the time I hit 30 and nothing came of it to hang it up. At 30, by that time I had my sons. It felt like the right time.
Stage Fright vs. Stream Jitters: On stage, you have the energy of a physical crowd to feed off of. When you first started streaming, how did it feel to perform for a "silent" audience behind a screen?
Super jarring at first, to go from grabbing the mic screaming at people to silence haha. But as I continue to stream I'm starting to get the hang of it now. The key is that I will say my usual stuff when there's nobody there, but get hyped when people pop in. In a way both being in a band and streaming are similar. Just different outlets.
The "Rockstar" Persona: In a band, there’s often a character you play on stage. Does your streaming community get the "Frontman" version of you, or have you had to peel back the layers to show the real person behind the controller?
It's all 100% me haha. When either I'm on stage or on streams, I am as authentic as I can be. When I was on stage I always wanted to be the “voice of the voiceless”. I wrote and projected what I felt about the world around me. It's the same for me here streaming, haha if there's anything I'm trying (key word) to peel back is the swearing haha.
Dad Mode vs. Stream Mode: How do you handle the "collision of worlds" when a family emergency or kid in need happens right in the middle of a high-stakes match or important stream?
Luckily that hasn't happened yet, but honestly it would be easy. I'd formally apologize either to the competition coordinator and DQ or vacate my spot. And same for the followers of a stream. My kids are the main reason for doing this, no questions there.
Redefining "Late Nights": You went from staying up late at a venue to staying up late for a streaming audience. How has your family adapted to this new version of your "night job"?
There's a pretty big gap between bands to game streaming so my family didn't really get to see the band stuff, but very well with streaming. They're used to me being up all night and they're super supportive of me doing this.
Building the Fanbase: In music, fans often connect with the song. In streaming, they connect with the person. What is the hardest part about building a community that was there for you and not just the music?
This goes for both because my approach to streaming and music are one and the same. The hardest thing is feeling defeated when something doesn't go as planned either it be the turnout of a show or the turnout in the stream. When I was younger it would hit me hard but now as much as it would suck, it's easier.
What are the similarities between being in a band and fighting games?The Legacy Question: When your kids look back, do you think they’ll see you more as the guy with the guitar or the guy with the headset—and which one are you more proud of today?
Haha I feel like the moshing would have more similarities to fighting games. So many spin kicks in the pit. If you look at some people moshing it feels like you should have a controller in your hands.
My oldest son (13) remembers me more with the mic in my hand and the younger ones weren't around just yet, but now all my kids see me with a headset. Aiden wants me to get back into it but idk if my body could keep up haha. I'm proud of both, I love the connections I make/made through these outlets, no regrets.
What does the “OG Life” mean to you?
To me, the OG life can mean a couple of things. In music and games it means having been there at the times when these both were niches, and seeing the younger generations doing what you did getting hyped for it.
But the more I've recently been using it in this context, I see that “the OG life” is defined by family life. A family is a new concept for me, I'm getting married soon and the more I spend time with them the more I want to keep it, if that makes sense.
You’ve joined the OG FightClub and you are a very active member. And you’re also big on a strong and inviting community in the FGC. What has that been like?
It's been amazing. I'm a few different communities but the FGC, especially the OGFC have been very welcoming, open to teach, have events, ECT. Its hard to put into words.
You sometimes host Throwback Thursdays for OG FightClub, tell us about that.
I love it! Huge shout out to Gordash and y'all for letting me host. Especially when it's the older games where I feel I thrive a little bit better (key word lol).
You have had some struggles playing CVS2 (Capcom vs SNK 2) but you push through to get better, no matter what. Why? And advice for other OGs who may struggle but want to get better in a game or any hobby?
I try my best and it can be hard to not lose sight of the original reason why I started playing the game. And it's to have fun. Yeah there's some competitive edge to it all. I went 1-2 at my first major, but at the end of the day, don't lose sight of why we play these games. The fun. And if it gets too much, there's no shame in walking away to either get back at it or try something else. Also don't be afraid to ask the ones that are good. 9/10 times people I talked to in the community have been awesome at advice.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Love each other, support your local band, venue, arcade, or any other place that shares your passion, and let's hit the sticks.
Quick Fire
What’s your favorite fighting game?
Capcom vs. SNK 2 Mark of the Millennium 2001.Who is your favorite character?
SagatWhat’s your favorite move?
Shun Goku Satsu (raging demon)One game you would like remade or remastered?
Tatsunoko vs. CapcomWho is your musical inspiration?
The Acacia Strain, heaviest band I know.What is your favorite song?
Angry Mob Justice- The Acacia StrainOne song or video from you we should know about?
How can we connect? What are your socials and streams?
You can find everything here:
I switch between Twitch and YouTube but at the moment the only thing I have scheduled is Groovin Wednesdays on Twitch. But more will be announced soon.
*The OGFC is looking for dedicated journalists. Please email us at oldgamersfightclub@gmail.com