The most interesting man in ska is at it again. If you’ve read any of my previous reviews of Lo(u)ser songs, you’ll know that I consider Chris Graue to be one of the most interesting people in all of ska. He is the face of 8 bit ska and using retro video game sounds in his music. After his debut EP in October 2021, he has now released 3 more singles including this, “Overtime” his first single in a year.
Why do I consider Chris Graue the most interesting man in ska? Well, for starters, he had a song feature in Clerks 3 and he performed on the View Askew cruise with Kevin Smith. He’s directed over 100 music videos, mostly for ska bands, for the likes of Reel Big Fish, Mustard Plug, NOFX, Fishbone, Bite Me Bambi, the Goodwin Club, Suburban Legends, Flying Raccoon Suit and so many more. His videos for his own music always feature video game references or entire themes, and you can catch him on his Twitch channel building, remaking, or refurbishing old video game consoles or music equipment. Most of his songs feature collaborations with some of my favorite ska bands.
His most recent single is “Overtime”- and like most of his songs, it features themes of hopelessness- this time about a relationship. While most of his music feels upbeat and cheery and the 8-bit sound effects give a positive atmosphere to juxtaposed against the song, this track feels slower, and theteone and tempo seem to match the theme of a relationship that feels like it’s at the end of its natural life- but isn’t quite over yet- the story of two people not ready to quit on a relationship, but perhaps a relationship that’s not quite succeeding either. The 8 bit sound effects scattered throughout the song remind me at times of game-over sound effects, one-up/ new life sound effects, and penalty whistles from sports games- which feels incredibly fitting for a relationship that never quite ends.
As always, the song was accompanied by a video, this one featuring Chris Graue inserted into classic Nintendo-era sports games. Relive the earliest sports games from hockey, baseball, basketball, football, and volleyball. Enjoy as Chris inserts himself into cheerleader scenes at halftime shows in the crowd shots, or goes head-to-head against Patrick Ewing.
In addition to this song, Lo(u)ser will also be playing live shows with Five Iron Frenzy and The Boy Detective in Columbus, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois this November and playing at the Ratnest (a video game store) in Chino, California at the end of the month. In December he will be playing at the Sacramento Gaming Expo where he may or may not also have a photo booth with his Gameboy camera where you may be able to get incredible original 8-bit pictures taken of yourself.
See how many of these classic video games you recognize in his music video here.
Written by Gimp Leg
