The OneUps
{{Short description|American video game cover band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = The OneUps
| image = The_OneUps.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = The OneUps performing at MAGFest in 2012.
| background = group_or_band
| origin = Fayetteville, Arkansas
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| years_active = 2000–present
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
}}
| current_members = Jared Dunn
Mustin
Tim Yarbrough
William Reyes
Anthony Lofton
| past_members = Nathan McLeod
| website = {{URL|theoneups.com}}
}}
The OneUps (originally known as One Up Mushrooms)http://rafaelporrata.com/pdf/magfest.pdf is an independent video game cover band, which primarily covers songs from classic video games of the 1980s and 1990s in funk and jazz styles.
History
The band was formed in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2000 by Mustin, McLeod and Reyes, then still in college. The group initially got together to perform covers of the Super Mario Kart soundtrack.{{Cite web|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/the-oneups-bring-the-funk-to-videogame-music/|title=The OneUps Bring the Funk to Videogame Music|first=Tom|last=Goldman|date=September 29, 2009|website=Escapist}} The group performed at smaller venues such as dive bars initially. The OneUps were one of three bands to perform at the inaugural MAGFest in 2002. The group continued performing at smaller events throughout the 2000s and released two albums, though these sold poorly. When they were invited to perform live at the Penny Arcade Expo in 2007, they intended it to be their final performance. However, the experience of performing in front of 5,000 people and the sudden uptick in album sales led the band to continue.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/10/2/4702870/the-oneups-cover-band|title=The OneUps: Your friendly neighborhood cover band|first=Mike|last=Mahardy|date=October 2, 2013|website=Polygon}}
The band performed at numerous other events, becoming a recurring performance at MAGFest throughout the 2010s and continuing to release albums. This included Super Mario Kart Album in 2010, for which the band recorded a music video.{{Cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/the-oneups-release-super-mario-kart-album-music-video |title=The OneUps release Super Mario Kart album, music video |last=North |first=Dale |date=May 4, 2010 |website=Desctructoid |access-date=December 6, 2022}} The OneUps were featured on Chrono Trigger tribute album Chronicles of Time, which raised money for Doctors Without Borders.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/2/14/10988880/chrono-trigger-soundtrack-chronicles-of-time-tribute|title=Huge Chrono Trigger soundtrack tribute available now|first=Owen S.|last=Good|website=Polygon |date=February 14, 2016}} Tommy Tallarico requested that the group contribute to the 2017 vinyl reissue of the Earthworm Jim soundtrack, and the OneUps ultimately recorded a cover of What the Heck for Side C of the collection.{{Cite web|url=https://nerdist.com/article/the-legendary-earthworm-jim-soundtrack-is-getting-a-gorgeous-vinyl-release |title=Legendary EARTHWORM JIM Soundtrack is Getting a Gorgeous Vinyl Release |last=Rossignol |first=Derrick |date=August 15, 2017 |website=Nerdist |access-date=December 6, 2022}} The band released a 20th anniversary compilation album in 2022, simply entitled "20", including one track from each of their eight studio albums. 20 was released as a limited run vinyl edition only.{{Cite web|url=https://popgeeks.com/the-oneups-release-20th-anniversary-album/|title=The OneUps Release 20th Anniversary Album|first=Peter|last=Paltridge|date=October 26, 2022}}
Musical style
The OneUps perform covers of video game music, which have been described as fusion, funk and jazz. The group makes common use of keyboards and a saxophone.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/game-music-of-the-day-the-oneups |title=Game music of the day: The OneUps |first=Brett |last=Elston |date=April 6, 2010 |website=gamesradar}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
- Volume 1 (2005)
- Volume 2 (2008)
- Super Mario Kart Album (2010)
- Intergalactic Redux (2011)
- Intergalactic Continuum (2012)
- Songs for the Recently Deceased (2014)
- Part Seven (2016)
- Volume 4 (2019)
- Arkadia Retrocade (2022)
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:OneUps, The}}
Category:Musical groups established in 2000
Category:Video game music cover bands