Frontman Jimmy Herald is a visionary. While most bands are writing music, recording albums and playing gigs—and yes, Herald and his band Hillbilly Herald are doing all of that too—Herald and his band are also launching a video game.
Now you might think it unusual for lead singer and master showman of rock to be forging ahead with a video game but the way Herald sees it is, “Groundbreaking. Obviously there’s “Guitar Hero,†and “Rock Band,†but this isn’t anything like that. This is an interactive video game you have to play and finish in order to be able to download our new song.â€
The song, “Greedy Me†(produced by engineer Chris Baseford at Tommy Lee’s home recording studio) with it’s Motley Crue flavor, yet distinct modern edge, has hit single written all over it. “The song’s about wanting it al
l. It’s about what we’re doing. I mean, we love music, we love performing, but I’m sitting in Tommy Lee’s house and I’m not gonna lie to you, I want this house. I want the motorcycle, and the Gold records, and an engineer in my basement that will make me records whenever I want them!†exclaims Herald.
“Our last album “Hillbilly Herald†was our dream record. I wanted to make an album that sounded like the music I grew up on, that had that ‘79 era to it. For this tune, we needed to bring an element of 2010,†says Herald, whose new single retains the roots of Hillbilly Herald’s style but is imbued with a current sound, without losing the element of rock-n-roll.
Herald was trying to think, of ways to get ‘outside the box.’ “In this business,†explains Herald, “There is
no box anymore. You have to come up with something clever. I didn’t want to do another music video and when Mike [Herald’s brother] came up with this idea, I thought ‘Yeah, that’s great.’†The plan coalesced when they met with a mutual friend / video game designer.
“Right now, the only way to hear “Greedy Me†is to play the game until you win,†explains Herald. The gist: Get all four members of the band to the gig so they can perform and it will unlock the single.
The game is only available via the band’s website. “You can’t buy it in a store, but for a one-time fee ($1.99) you can play it in your office.†And let’s face it…who wouldn’t rather be playing videos and listening to Hillbilly Herald than listening to their boss?
If you want to check out Hillbilly Herald live, they will be playing the Sunset Strip Music Festival on August 28 at the Cat Club. For more info check out www.HillbillyHerald.com
