StrateJacket's song 'Bad Start' is featured on the soundtrack of EA Sports new NHL24 video game. For a relatively new and lesser-known band like StrateJacket, being included on the same soundtrack as renowned bands like Sum 41, Yungblud, and Bring Me the Horizon is undoubtedly exciting and encouraging. It's also inspiring to see video game developers like EA Sports incorporating emerging talent into their selection. We're also curious to learn more about the selection process, and how the band was chosen. 

Northern California's punky alt-rock trio StrateJacket recently shared a performance video for their latest single 'Bad Start' through EDGEOUT Records. The single is part of EA Sports' NHL24 Soundtrack, and the video showcases the band's epic and raw live performance.

The energetic 'Bad Start' video, filmed at East Iris Studios in Nashville, captures the band's performance evokes a Green Day vibe with hints of other rock bands from the '90s and 2000s. It's a fun, catchy number that's hard not to enjoy.

"The making of this video was such an awesome time," says the young band, consisting of Jackson Roemers (lead vocals/guitar, 24), Fabian Angel (vocals/bass, 23), and Nate Mangold (drums, 22). The creative set inspired the band to give a spirited performance. "We were surrounded by many talented and passionate individuals on set, and their energy motivated us to play our best. The video was filmed against a unique background with a special vibe, and at the end, we were handed spray paint cans to tag all over the set. We can't wait for you all to check it out!"

With the EA Sports NHL24 video game now available, fans can dive into the 36-track soundtrack, featuring an unprecedented diversity of music, from superstar acts to explosive new artists like StrateJacket. "Having a song in a video game such as NHL 24 is a dream come true," says the band. "We used to joke that we'd be in a videogame and now it's happened! It’s an incredible honor to have been noticed by the team and we are very grateful for this opportunity. Thank you, EA! Thank you, NHL!!"

StrateJacket has learned the value of patience in their journey. Formed in 2019, the band faced the challenge of the pandemic, which initially hindered their career. However, they didn't give up easily. This youthful band of early twenty-somethings used the isolation to hone their craft and discovered their catchy, fast, and energetic sound by merging their individual influences, including acts like Arctic Monkeys and Blink-182.

The band initially played unconventional shows with a guerrilla approach, performing under bridges, on beaches, and in warehouses all over San Francisco. This approach earned them a devoted fanbase and caught the attention of EDGEOUT Records, who signed them in 2021. StrateJacket recorded their debut album at Vancouver's Armoury Studios in November 2022, with the Juno/BMI-winning Canadian producer/songwriter Brian Howes (Hinder, Skillet, Boys Like Girls). They also secured Grammy® winner Chris Lord-Alge (Green Day, Muse, Prince) to mix the album.

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and Managing Director of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.