Throwback to 1999's release of the first Tony Hawk Pro Skater game -- This was the beginning of an epic franchise that would build a culture of gamers, skaters, and punk rockers alike. The Birdman, Tony Hawk, was the lead inspiration for the series which brought skateboarding into the mainstream. With legendary gameplay and an iconic soundtrack, it's no surprise, that the much-anticipated Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 & 2 is getting fans pumped up. In light of the September 4th, 2020 release, we put together a list of the top 10 songs from Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 & 2, some of which will be on the upcoming remaster!
Nothing says "pretending I'm a superman" quite like hopping on four wheels and taking to the halfpipe. Even grinding down rails, pulling a 360, or a Benihana all require mad Superman-style skills.
Jam out to this classic punk tune by Goldfinger, which focuses on the way things change and evolve as time moves forward. The groovy scatting and banging brass section will keep you entertained while skating as the greats, like Bob Burnquist and Chad Muska.
Always symbolic of the counterculture, Rage Against the Machine's "Guerrilla Radio" is the perfect addition to a skateboarding video game. It encompasses everything punk about Tony Hawk and crew in the late 1990s and early 2000s, focusing on anti-corporate themes and acts of rebellion.
And what better way to rebel than skating through a school while rocking out to this cult classic in Pro Skater 2?
"Bring the Noise" represents everything about skateboarding. It's the perfect blend of hip-hop and rock from rap group Public Enemy and thrashes metal powerhouse Anthrax. Two worlds of counterculture combined create a unique sound that thumps as loudly as it shreds.
This timeless classic will no doubt keep you cruising while you kickflip through urban NYC.
One of the harder jams on our list, this song combines thrash with punk. The lyrics and bass line thump along and suddenly burst into explosive guitar riffs and heavy drums. Kickflip or 900 at the Mullet Falls, Montana Hangar in Pro Skater 2 with these tunes cranked. "When Worlds Collide" is undoubtedly a track that belongs in the gritty world of Pro Skater 2.
Primus is a band always known for their clever wordplay and biting twang. Their use of unusual beats and instrument methods makes them super distinct. With other classics like "Too Many Puppies" and "Wynona's Big Brown Beaver," they're established as a pillar of funky alt-rock.
Check out "Jerry was a Race Car Drive" in Pro Skater 1. This tale of two characters will entertain you while you trick out the halfpipe in the warehouse. Jerry, the race car driver, and Captain Pearce, a retired fireman, make for one hell of a story!
This song takes a minute and gets deep. "May 16" is about looking in from the outside. It's a feeling that so many punks and gamers alike might know. It's certainly representative of emo in general, as well as the evolving skate scene from the 2000s.
"May 16" will rock you while speaking to your soul about growing up and apart from people. Check it out while racking up massive points with trick combos on famed Skatestreet in Ventura, California.
Nothing rocks while skating quite like classic ska. "New Girl" from 1996 is the skankalicious tune about being young and saying "F it" when people try to crush your dreams. Find people that know the real you.
Ska and skateboarding go together like bread and butter, so of course, you'll find this high-energy crash course in Pro Skater 1.
You can't have a punk soundtrack without something by the Dead Kennedys. Classic punk counterculture blends with groovy vibes to create the ultimate skating tune. The angsty lyrics are right at home in the grunge, 80s era of skating.
Dead Kennedys, like skateboarding, are often shamelessly political. "Police Truck"'s chunky guitar combined with lyrics rebelling against authority and police brutality. These themes are right at home in skating culture, where the sport often met resistance in its heyday.
The name of this jam says it all. It's heavy on the angst and rage against society. The lyrics tell people to shove it in tons of different ways. The raging cymbals and spicy guitar riffs complete the classic punk vibe of this song.
It fits Pro Skater 1 like a glove. Both "Vilified" and the Pro Skater 1 pushed the envelope when they first released. Luckily for them and us, though, they each climbed into the charts of a cult classic.
These guys, Bad Religion, are classic rebels. Check out the head-banging, blood-pumping tune, "You." This punk anthem talks about moving onto greener pastures when the world turns against you. It's got wild drums, chunky guitar, and lyrical genius.
Of course, then, it would be featured in a skateboarding game. A song about building a better tomorrow fits the Tony Hawk lifestyle pretty spot-on. His legacy in skateboarding and skating video games will live on forever.
It's no surprise why the symbiotic relationship between punk and skateboarding exists. There's something so rebellious about head-banging to thrash or bouncing to ska. Add in a dash of mad tricks, and you've got a great video game.
Toss in features like time trials, and skating as Bucky Lasek, Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, and countless other greats? Well, the upcoming Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 & 2 remaster aims to do just that. Then, you'll have a skate-regular weekend rocking out with these rebel tunes!