Little is known about the Protomen, other than the band is based in Nashville, Tennessee. Because the band often responds to interviews and questions in-character, their own descriptions of their history are delivered with the dramatic flair of their storyline concept and their comments can not always be taken at face value. Their code-names are largely references to pop culture films, song titles, and fictional characters.
The band is composed mostly of MTSU recording program graduates, and first came to be so they could meet class deadlines and the need to record for [their] grades. They produced their first album over two years in various Murfreesboro studios, using analog rather than digital production. Most of the band had graduated and moved to Nashville by 2005.
Group member Commander has stated that their first album was deliberately designed to sound like "distorted pencil sharpeners about 90% of the time" and "was made specifically to go against everything our recording teachers and fellow students were trying to feed us about making everything sound pristine and 'perfect.'. The tracks were mixed on analog tape.
In a 2009 interview, lead vocalist Panther stated, "We basically gathered up all of our good friends from the local rock bands of Murfreesboro, tied ourselves together, and tried to walk. And somehow it worked. At the time, we noticed a void in rock and roll. A hole that could only really be filled with grown men and women painting up like robots and playing some fierce and furious rock music based on a 1980's video game. We were fairly certain no one else was going to fill that hole. But, by god, it's filled now. You can thank us later."
The band has strong ties to the Murfreesboro and Nashville independent music scene, and some members are integrated into several bands simultaneously.
Due Vendetta
The Protomen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Air, Quick, Bubble, Metal
Crash, Flash, Heat, Bomb
Ice, Fire, Wily, Rock
Cutman, Gutsman, Fireman, Wily
Iceman, Bombman, Elecman, ROCKMAN
Crashman, Flashman, Heatman, Metalman
Cutman, Gutsman, Fireman, Iceman
Sniper Joe, Rush Jet, Dr. Light, MEGAMAN!
Game Over.
The lyrics to The Protomen's song Due Vendetta are a reference to the classic video game series, Mega Man. Each line refers to the weapons and elements associated with each of the game's original eight bosses, and ends with their corresponding name. The first four lines reference Cutman's weapon of sharp blades, Gutsman's brute strength, Fireman's flame attacks, and Woodman's ability to control tree branches. The next four lines reference Airman's wind abilities, Quickman's speed, Bubbleman's aquatic prowess, and Metalman's metallic attacks. Lastly, the three final lines name the original eight bosses: Cutman, Gutsman, Fireman, Iceman, Bombman, Elecman, Heatman, and of course, ROCKMAN (Mega Man's Japanese name).
The song captures the essence of the Mega Man series, showcasing the game's emphasis on strategic use of each boss's unique weapon against other bosses. The song also references other iconic elements of the series, such as Sniper Joe enemies and Rush Jet, Mega Man's robotic dog companion. The abrupt end to the lyrics with "Game Over" further emphasizes the video game theme and serves as a warning to the listener that the boss battle is not to be taken lightly.
Line by Line Meaning
Cut, Guts, Fire, Wood
This line lists the different elements found in the game that symbolize different characters in the game - Cutman, Gutsman, Fireman, and Woodman.
Air, Quick, Bubble, Metal
Similar to the first line, this line lists different elements found in the game that symbolize different characters in the game - Airman, Quickman, Bubbleman, and Metalman.
Crash, Flash, Heat, Bomb
Another line listing different elements in the game that correspond to different characters - Crashman, Flashman, Heatman, and Bombman.
Ice, Fire, Wily, Rock
The last line in this sequence includes different elements in the game - Ice and Fire - and the two primary antagonists - Wily and Rock.
Cutman, Gutsman, Fireman, Wily
The four characters referenced earlier in the first line come together with the primary antagonist in this line - Dr. Wily.
Iceman, Bombman, Elecman, ROCKMAN
Four other characters in the game are referenced here, including the singer of the game - Megaman or ROCKMAN.
Airman, Quickman, Woodman, Bubbleman
Another sequence of four characters in the game is listed here - Airman, Quickman, Woodman, and Bubbleman.
Crashman, Flashman, Heatman, Metalman
The final sequence of four characters in the game listed - Crashman, Flashman, Heatman, and Metalman.
Cutman, Gutsman, Fireman, Iceman
This line brings together four of the characters listed earlier in the song - Cutman, Gutsman, Fireman, and Iceman.
Sniper Joe, Rush Jet, Dr. Light, MEGAMAN!
Three other characters from the game are mentioned here - Sniper Joe, Rush Jet, and Dr. Light - and the final line names the artist of the game once more.
Game Over.
This final line signals the end of the game, likely a reference to the game ending or the journey coming to a close.
Contributed by Ellie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
COACXC
When you see them live the band freaking kills it on this song. Its their jam, and they actually wrote this before the rest of the tunes.
jodinsan
If the rest of the album was the "movie", this is definitely the "end credits" song. It is an homage to the Mega Man games while not being a part of the story the other songs tell.
t o r t l e productions
@Dowja heck yeahhh!!! i'm really glad to see fans are still around and active. here's hoping whatever the crap i'm doing goes smoothly! :D
Dowja
@t o r t l e productions Huh, what are the odds? Haven’t listened to this album in years, here I am… reading some comments for interpretation, find that you mention a project, was going to ask based on the age of the comments—but 10 days ago, you mention you are back. Regardless of all that, glad to hear about that, count me in as interested of your work!
t o r t l e productions
update: i'm solidly back in the fandom and have been for a few months. comin' up with a new story and writing some songs!!
t o r t l e productions
@Naeth Avenir Unfortunately, that's pretty much what happened. I'm easing in and out of the fandom and working on and off on the story, but I might get back on it after I finish the music I'm making right now.
Naeth Avenir
@t o r t l e productions Ooh how goes now? The Protomen made me imagine what a gritty cyberpunk reality the Megaman games would be, so hopefully you haven’t hit writer’s block :o
Traci J
Just remember that The Protomen focus on live shows. At a performance a band usually likes to end with a big finale to extract all the excitement they can from the crowd. This epilogue is that big finish. Live-oriented, big-finish type songs are usually better live and often don't translate well when recorded.
dizzy
I love how this has the feel of an awesome movie's ending credits
Zachary King
In my honest opinion this song serves as a great transition from Act 2 to 1. In a way you could state this song depicts the creation of both Proto and Mega while Wily's working on the robots he stole from Light as well as eight of his own. With that idea in mind, this serves as a great setup for the Protoman's fight against Ice, Bomb, Fire, Cut, Guts, and Elecman(men?)