Load-In

This week's special guest is Ben Barlow from Neck Deep, who joins us to talk about the era-defining music of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater games. 

Arguably the most important contribution the video game industry has ever made to music, the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater soundtracks introduced an entire generation to their favourite bands and artists. If it wasn't for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, many of us wouldn't have discovered the likes of Suicidal Tendancies, Goldfinger, AFI, Motorhead, Pennywise, Millencolin and many more. 

In this episode, West and Ombler chat with Barlow about the impact this music had on their lives as impressionable kids, and the role it played in shaping their music tastes during their most formative years. 

We also share our favourite game from the series, as well as which THPS game had the best soundtrack. Barlow and West also chat about returning to the stage at Download Festival, a chance meeting with Bam Margera during Warped Tour, the hidden obscenities in pirated video games and West's infamous 'List.' 

With this year's E3 conference out of the way, West and Ombler look back at the biggest announcements and ask if this year's E3 was the worst yet? 

This was recorded a day before West's first show back at Download Festival at their practice room in Sheffield with a portable set-up, so you may hear a couple of familiar voices in the background! 

We also answer some questions from listeners at the end, so a massive thank you to everyone that submitted their questions in time! 

If you want your questions answering on future episodes, or would like to share your thoughts on topics you'd like to see discussed in future episodes, hit us up on Instagram and Twitter at Loadin_podcast . 

Welcome to Load-In, the podcast where guests from the world of music chat video games, tour stories and everything in between, co-hosted by video game and music writer, Mat Ombler, and Neck Deep guitarist, Matt West. 

This first episode is an E3 special, focussing on what we can expect from this year's conference. West talks about why he's so excited for a Kingdom Hearts game and how the FF7 Remake DLC gives us a glimpse at what we can expect from Part 2 of the remake, as well as what Neck Deep fans can expect when the band returns to the stage at Download Festival for the first time in over a year. 

Ombler tells you more about why you need to play Life is Strange when the remaster releases and shares his frustrations around the lack of Metroid Prime 4 news.