Kotaku
Almost a year ago the Xbox Boys exploded onto the game music scene with a mix of game-inspired rock that seemed to ooze equal parts religion and Xbox fervor.
Shortly after they hit the scene, we tracked down the bands members to talk to them about their apparent connection to New Hope International Church, a Bellevue, Washington-based Christian church that hopes to "turn lost people into fully devoted Spirit-filled disciples of Jesus Christ in our city and all over the world."
The band's leader, Phil Fischer, denied the connection and said that the band was formed in hopes that Microsoft would eventually back them.
Today Fischer contacted Kotaku to let us know that Microsoft has officially nixed the idea, saying that they couldn't take the time to track how their logo and name was being used:
I wanted to write this letter to you and advise you that Microsoft officially told us that they would not endorse us, so the band is breaking up. For months I was angry at you for the story you wrote about us, but I got over it.We decided to go into the studio last week and blow the last of my savings on a song about someone I have been in love with for years, Cortana. I put it up on our myspace page at www.myspace.com/thexboxboys.
Anyway, I never got to know you that well, but I think your forum kicks ass and I wish you well.
For what it's worth the Cortana tune is pretty catchy, and while I'm not a lawyer, I'm pretty sure they don't need Microsoft's permission to continue with their music and sell it even.
Comments
Jesus Christ!
A RRoD symbol on their shirts would be appropriate for this story.
later XB, we hardly knew ye.
UGH. Beaten to RRoD pun.
In shirt blades.
That would have been a better shirt than the gamepad. I saw the pic and I thought to myself, what football team are these guys about to go watch. Then I read the article. Somehow learning they arnt crazed football fans makes them look sillier.
What.
The.
Fuck.
It's always the Christians that are the crazy ones. >_<
My man hymen just grew back. How old is the guy on the left on their myspace page header, 56? To bad they didn't die in a van crash. Douches.
Microsoft can hardly support the 360 & XP why would they think they'd be special?! Are they the dudes that performed the Halo theme at E3 cause I could have sworn there was a chick too.
@ittekimasu:
dont get it?
...oh wait.....xbox...rrod....
...yawn
Sounds like they tried to use a gimmick instead of letting there music do the talking for them.
That's not a knock at them though, Peeked at there MySpace, they have talent. They don't need MS from what I've heard. Keep on trying guys.
@Piraat: You sir, are an idiot.
Apparently they gave up after they found out mixing Eric Cartman's approach to Christian music with Xbox fanboyism doesn't print money, and that was the end of their enthusiasm for the project.
XB
Their mission:
"to turn lost people into fully devoted Spirit-filled disciples of Master Chief in our city and all over the world."
What forum?
@huginn: - "Sounds like they tried to use a gimmick instead of letting there music do the talking for them."
Epic mistake.
@RonJeremy4Pres:
Cartman's songs sounded exactly like real Christian songs to me. I've always thought that Christian music, and Christianity in general, has a lot of homo erotic undertones regarding one's relationship with Jesus. If you're a guy anyway.
Heh heh. 'Holy' Crap. That cortana song might be decent if it wasn't about... well... cortana. Nothing like 50 year old men fantasising about blue digital video game characters. I can't understand why Microsoft wouldn't back them. lol
I gotta say, they have the absolute worst taste in fashion. It's a tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream vomited on them and then forced them to join the John 3:16 Sign Holders Union (Local #4587).
Also, Xbox Boys is a terrible name.
In conclusion; their band was bad and they should feel bad.
@PeterBeck:
That should have said "It's like a tub".
Insert Price Is Right failure tune here.
@PeterBeck:
Your too kind to them...
Um that band sounds terrible but um since when is going to church a terrible thing? Is that really a shocking development or something?
Well, I haven't heard their music and can't at work, but it's all about the music. I've seen and heard awful video game bands and it's pathetic. if Cortana is actually good, then this is a shame.
Sucks Microsoft took a "pass," but oh well. Guess it's just one of those things no one really asked for.
See...everyone hates fanboys...even Microsoft...
whats rrod?...
Ahhh... I miss the days when you made music for the soul purpose of getting backed by multi-billion dollar corporate juggernauts that wouldn't notice you unless they had to scrape you off the bottom of their shoes with a stick.
Yep, those were the days...
@Zaxxon Q Blaque: Yup. And its always the muslims who are the terrorists. And its always the Asians who are good at math. And all black men have large penises. And its always the stupid people who are conservative. And its always the Indians when you call customer service.
And its always idiots like you who generalize about shit they shouldn't.
Dude, lay off with the group generalizations, aiite?
Its always the atheists who have the holier-than-thou attitude. (see what I did there?)
Theyre music is actually pretty good and has promise. Too bad theyre singing about video games. Sorry, but video games arent mainstream enough to base your band off them and make it big. Pretty catchy music though.
Wow, that is an awesome pic. Everyone in it has this look on their face as if they are saying " Fuck, I hate being me! ".
I do think it is freaking hilarious tho that having Jesus on their side wasn't enough for them to stay together and spread their love of Christ.
" What?? No corporate sponorship?? We are out here speading a positive message with our faces painted with their company's logo and they can't even kick us a free Elite?? Well, fuck that!! This band is OVER!!"
*****2 days later*****
" Hey guys, do you think Sony would go for it?"
@RonMaverick: I think that was Corporeal.
the bastard love children of shrek and the joker ...
I can get why Microsoft didn't want to endorse them, they'd have to endorse Christianity too. If they did that they'd be denying very other religion.
They look evil, for a Christian rock band. Calling themselves "Xbox boys" isn't very evil though, it's actually a bit gay.
If they never get a record deal, they could always star in a remake of The Warriors. (/snicker)
@ittekimasu: Man, that was exactly what I was going to say.
Just cause they called themselves that, doesn't mean they deserved the endorsement by Microsoft.
That song is catchy because they rip the melody straight from Bowie. This is lamest crap I've ever heard.
@Zaxxon Q Blaque: I think you meant "fanboys."
@jambe: The simple fact that you relate one's relationship or belief in Christ with homosexuality is proof of your own ignorance. I will pray for you.
Dammit, I thought we had some kind of gang revival a lá The Warriors going on here. *sigh* :(
was checking out their myspace page, and i have to admit, call of duty is a pretty decent track.
they're not like cheesy game tracks. but just music 'inspired' by the game
Sooooo, I don't know if many of you clicked the link, let alone listened to any other of their songs..but like wow.
I don't know what to think here.
Like, musically, they're good, but the stuff they want to sing about...on top of the lyrics, I'm not sure to laugh or...cringe.
If nothing else, those guys really let their freak flags fly. There's something to be said for that.
"I think your forum kicks ass" We have a forum now?
Oh gosh no and thank God they are no more. The world needs less terrible bands.
You are right - you aren't a lawyer. :)
If they are using the Xbox logo on their album art or in their performances, MS can and likely would certainly take civil action.
With as much money churches make I can't believe they can't finance there own rock band. Considering they only wear T shirts and face paint. How expensive can that be?!
Hey! where's my star for nominating Fnor for multi-tap?
sad face.
@wild_world_girl: Wouldn't fair use come into play? Or is just to blatant?
@nicless:
I'm an idiot because:
I wish a violent van-rolling death towards these virgin, bible thumping douchefags with a pedo lead singer? With equally as creepy band members who look like the offspring of a Micheal Jackson, John Belushi and Pat Robertson circle jerk bukkake orgy, who sing songs about Xbox Live and Call of Duty and love songs to a video character...
Yeah. I'm the idiot. I could only hope you're one of their roadies who will also die in my fantasy crash.
Religion: whatever.
They like xbox: whatever.
Their music is like scraping your tongue on dried dogshit: unconscionable sin!
Seriously, they should spend less time playing xbox and more time learning how to write music and lyrics.
Is it April 1st? This has got to be the most bizarre post in the long history of bizarre posts (Jack Thompson, Uwe Boll, DOA "action" figures) at Kotaku. Did the band get together solely to make money from Microsoft? No interest in music outside of being a paid product placement? If so, it's the saddest thing to happen to music since American Idol. Or is the band merely changing names to avoid being sued? From what I can tell they aren't violating any laws and could continue as a group. Sort of like The Partridge Family (the dude in front looks like he's about 75 years older than the rest of the band making me think he's the dad and the other "boys" are his children). I don't know, this whole thing is just ... weird.
@CogSmooch: Didn't you know? Apparently, anyone who is part of a religion is a complete idiot.
Note that I didn't say this, I'm (a bad example of a) Christian.
@Brian Crecente:
It would most likely be covered under fair use. But I've seen stranger things happen when powerful corporate lawyers are involved. Some punk band was forced to remove a still of Walter Matthau holding a bottle of alcohol and looking pretty grumpy and unkempt (did he ever look any other way?) in character from The Bad News Bears in the early 90s (the band used the image in the 90s, the movie was released in '76). Using that as precedent, MS could have a case but they'd look like pricks if they went after the band too aggressively (see J.K. Rowling or Metallica suing their fans).
GAME OVER, YEAH!