The Protomen

Posted by Ian Walker on December 3, 2009 · 1 Comment

Imagine a world where robots were not only useful in our daily lives, but essential to our survival. A world where they were so important in our lives that they soon became our masters. Does this sound like a utopia to you? A place where you'd like to work, live, and love? The Protomen didn't think so either. Borrowing heavily from the storyline of the original Mega Man series, this band has created a whole new world entirely, and it's much darker than the one portrayed in the video games.

Dr. Wily, instead of being a bumbling old man, is the maniacal tyrant of this dystopic future. He and his army of robots rule over the human race with an iron fist, and many are too frightened or weak to rise up against his evil. Only one man, another inventor named Dr. Light, finds the courage in himself to take a stand. He creates what he thinks will be their salvation in Proto Man, but this first “son of Light” fails in his mission, and the humans watching his defeat allow him to die in front of their eyes.

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This back story sets the stage for Mega Man's arrival. It is many years later when Dr. Light finds it in himself to create another robot, but Mega Man soon sees the corruption before him and begs Dr. Light to let him do something about it. In an attempt to discourage Mega Man's ambitions, Dr. Light tells his new “son” the story of his first, as well as explaining that the human race has resigned itself to its fate. Unable to let Dr. Wily's reign of terror continue on, Mega Man vainly sets out to destroy him and his army.

This story, and the battle that ensues, make up the basis for the first, self-titled Protomen album, released in 2005. And its with the release of this album that The Protomen found their signature sound. A mixture of rock opera with synthesizers, The Protomen somehow retain a very Mega Man feel without actually sampling any of the series music. That sound only expanded with their next album, Act II: The Father of Death, which was released earlier this year. Adding a mixture of jazz, folk, and 80's rock, this second album was big, if not bigger, than their first.

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A prequel to their first album, Act II deals with Dr. Light and Dr. Wily's back story, and how they grew from friends and coworkers to enemies. Their ambitions for a robot assisted world originally came from Dr. Light, who's father died working as a miner. But, as the project nears completion, Dr. Light fears the amount of sway the robots will have in their society's every day life. Dr. Wily convinces him that they need to finish their life's ambition, and Dr. Light reluctantly activates the masses of robots they've created. It is at this point in the story we find out Dr. Wily's other intentions for the robots. He successfully makes Dr. Light a criminal in the city and, although he is proven innocent, he is forced to live on the outskirts to get away from the crowds calling for his blood. With no vocal detractors to his plans, Dr. Wily is allowed to use the robots for more insidious purposes.

One of the more unique things about the band is the people that comprise it. Rarely do they break character, even for interviews, and their alter egos have a bit of back story themselves. They're not merely musicians, they are freedom fighters and prophets. Their music is not only awesome, but also legends that they must spread to us, the masses. Very little actual facts are known about the band, except that they hail from Tennessee. It's this ambiguity that lets fans become wrapped up in the story and music, and worry less about the band members themselves.

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All in all, The Protomen are a refreshing breeze in today's music scene. Their albums, while independent releases, sound amazing. The passion they have for this project is palpable, and this can be seen in their huge stage performances. And while I'm a newer fan of their music, this is one band I'll be watching for a very long time.

If you would like to know more about The Protomen, and possibly even buy their CDs or some clothes, check out the links below. Their Myspace page displays more recent touring info, and even provides a few songs to listen to. Also below are a few links to downloadable songs, one from each album and a third unreleased track.