Nicole Giusti and Yasiman “Yaz” Ahsani are simply two punks making an attempt to e book reveals and stick it to the person by the use of their wildly enjoyable band Lemon Boy. With cheeky songs like “Sugar Daddy,” “Chunk Me,” and “Guitar Middle (Sucks),” their debut album Eat. Skate. Die. is sort of a bitter sweet you may’t put down, even after your tongue begins bleeding. However this weekend at Bumbershoot, not solely will Lemon Boy take the stage (see them Sunday at 1 pm on the Vera Stage!), they’ll debut a brand new means for followers to eat the band’s ugly-pop aesthetic: A online game referred to as Punk Juice, impressed by the band’s experiences within the music business.
Punk Juice is what occurs when Animal Crossing sits on a whoopie cushion. It’s cute but gross, candy but brash. Along with “your mother” jokes, farts, and armpit hair, there are a number of colourful locations to go, video games to play, and folks to satisfy. When prompted to dress at the start of the sport, I chosen an anarchy sweatshirt and inexperienced Doc Martens. After my pink cellphone alerted me to a message, I realized I needed to get to a band audition. I jumped on the bus however was yelled at by two potty-mouthed punks upon arrival… I used to be late. Site visitors. After all. Enjoying Lemon Boy’s “Physique Horror,” I auditioned for bass in a Guitar Hero-esque minigame. I ventured outdoors and walked right into a thrift retailer the place I spent $25 from my Hellcorp Checking account on a fishnet prime. I completed a quest to get a free poster, then went house to embellish my room.
Seattleites might discover themselves chuckling at familiar-looking landmarks, and musicians might discover themselves crying on the stress of navigating (one other?!) band. Competition attendees can demo the sport each days of Bumbershoot within the outside courtyard of the Cornish Playhouse. The women say they scoured native thrift shops to create a comfortable exhibition area, so that you’ll be capable of kick up your ft and keep some time.
“It’s gonna be very environmentally cool,” says Ahsani. “Like a comfortable punk rock front room.”
Earlier than the massive Bumbershoot debut, I bought to speak to Ahsani and Giusti about how they went from punk rock band to punk rock recreation designers.
How did you provide you with the thought to create a online game collectively?
Giusti: I ended up quitting my software program job and have become very uncovered to recreation improvement via Yaz and her buddies. I used to be making an attempt some stuff out alone and actually beloved it. I believed it was tremendous enjoyable, however I hated the artwork that I made.
Ahsani: My contract ended at Nintendo and the job market was actually unhealthy within the video games business. I couldn’t discover work. Then Nicole was like, “Hey… you are able to do all of the artwork.” That is my dream to not have anybody inform me what to do.
How lengthy did it take you to make this recreation?
Giusti: We’ve been going for about 10 months, 40 hours per week! Our supporters on Patreon can play-test it on Steam, and we’re gonna have a demo model at Bumbershoot for individuals to attempt. The complete recreation shall be launched later this yr.
What is Punk Juice?
Giusti: It’s like a way of life simulator the place you play as somebody who simply moved to this new Seattle-inspired metropolis. You be a part of this band with two wacky, form of crass characters. You get to play music, date, gown up, adorn. It’s a very foolish, humorous, cozy recreation.
Ahsani: All the mini-games are impressed by the stress that we’ve endured as native musicians. Like packing your automotive and getting every part to suit, or going to your job and likewise making it work along with your band schedule.
Inform us in regards to the music within the recreation.
Giusti: The principle character’s band can be taught and unlock songs off our new album, Eat. Skate. Die.! We additionally needed to begin composing music for the rival bands, which is de facto humorous as a result of a few of them suck.
What number of totally different characters are there?
Giusti: There’s your self, two bandmates, your mother, boss, and the rival bands. There’s additionally a pair love pursuits you may date. There’s positively gonna be extra characters, however these are those we now have within the demo for now.
How would you describe the little metropolis this recreation takes place in?
Giusti: It’s positively Seattle-inspired. Very grungy. Soiled. It’s like all pastel colours, however then every part is roofed in trash.
Ahsani: The sky isn’t actually blue. It’s all the time grey. It rains. It all the time seems to be underneath building. We’re speaking about including a House Noodle (laughs).
Wishlist Punk Juice on Steam to be notified of its full launch later this yr. Can’t make it to Bumbershoot? Play the demo by supporting Punk Juice on Patreon.
