Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 games hold a special place in my heart. Released during my formative teenage years, they reflected the culture I associated and even defined myself with. Baggy jeans, oversized hoodies and DC trainers. Spitfire trucks and Enjoi decks. VHS copies of promotional videos passed around by friends from Almost and Panic/Blueprint. These were the things I remember.
But not least of these were the soundtracks. An eclectic mix of punk, hip-hop, metal, and a few oddities, these were sounds I could relate to and often included artists I listened to or at the very least had heard of. Whilst spending hours upon hours grinding for high scores or hunting out the perfect combo line, these were burned into my subconscious and still live there today, still as infectious as they ever were. As such, here are my favourite five tracks from each of these two games for you to listen to and, who knows, possibly even enjoy!
Starting with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, then…
Zebrahead – Check
A blast of punk blended with rap and a touch of lounge funk, this was an instant like for anyone who has enjoyed the early Incubus S.C.I.E.N.C.E days, mixing turntables and guitars into instant aural deliciousness.
Adolescents – Amoeba
One of the more classically hardcore punk offerings on the soundtrack, it’s not a genre I’d usually get into but something about the almost spoken word delivery of the lyrics left an indelible mark on my brain that’s still there many years later.
CKY – 96 Quite Bitter Things
Harder than most of the bands in this list to categorise, CKY write catchy alternative rock tunes with a dark undertone. I’d never have found them if it weren’t for my beloved skateboarding series. It’s not an instant earworm but once it catches, you’ll be hooked.
Ozomatli – Cut Chemist Suite
An early introduction to one of my favourite DJs ever, Cut Chemist, this is the group that would eventually go on to become hip-hop legends Jurassic 5. Featuring killer vocals from Chali 2na, it’s a party track that’ll keep your head nodding from the opening bars to the final note.
Alien Ant Farm – Wish
The song I associate most with THPS 3, Alien Ant Farm still pop up in my playlists even today. Nu-metal guitars, tongue in cheek performance and one of the more unique front men of the era in Dryden Mitchell, this is an absolute banger.
Right, let’s move onto Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, then.
AC/DC – TNT
Sometimes, you just can’t beat the classics. The opening title track of the game, it’s a super catchy slice of classic rock and you’ll be singing along whether you want to or not. And on the upside, it’ll even be one to share with your elderly parents.
Less than Jake – All my best friends are metalheads
Absolute stone cold classic. Upbeat ska punk that’s impossible not to smile along to whilst you skank your way around the room. It’s impossible to be in a bad mood with Less than Jake blasting out. Get your air sax out!
Goldfinger – Spokesperson
Leaving millions of people humming “Superman” after playing the original THPS, Goldfinger are at it again with two and a half minutes of pop punk gold. Perfect for grabbing “SKATE” and “COMBO” to.
Flogging Molly – Drunken Lullabies
With an unmistakable banjo intro, these American Irish punkers with a penchant for traditional instruments are just superb. This one’s a tune begging to be sung along to, deck in on hand and a pint of the black stuff in the other.
System of a Down – Shimmy
I mean, just fucking listen to it! Thrash metal influences meet Armenian craziness. One of my favourite bands of all time and still just as fresh as the day it was recorded. A genuinely unique band that everyone needs to listen to. Pogo around the room and smash shit up: that’s an order.
So feel free to comment below on how wrong I am, but just make sure you grab what’s one of my most anticipated remakes (and releases, full stop really) of the year.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 is coming to PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch on July 11th.
