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In recent years, a lot of bands have jumped into video games. Hell, escaping an ad for "The Beatles: Rock Band" is nearly impossible. Until now, every one of these games has been "action-oriented" -- where you must keep up with the pace of the music to win.

The latest act to make the genre leap is REO Speedwagon. (Yes, that REO Speedwagon -- mullets and "You take it on the run, baby/If that's the way you want it, baby.") Its foray into gaming, however, offers something different: Along with Curious Sense, which creates digital music experiences for various acts, the band just released "Find Your Own Way Home." It's got new and old REO songs interspersed in a mystery story about a missing band member.

I'm not a gamer -- I'm a mustache expert, damn it -- but I give it a 9.3 on the Mustache Scale of 10.
Recently, REO lead singer Kevin Cronin talked to us about the game, the music industry, his former mullet and, of course, mustaches. Check below the jump for our conversation:



The music industry has obviously changed a lot. It's gotten tough for bands. Give me your perspective on those changes.
When we started out, in choosing life as a musician you were also choosing a life of desperate poverty. When musicians actually started getting paid, a lot of poseurs decided it was a sound financial strategy to start bands.
What did you think when you were first approached with the idea of a video game?
I was impressed by the dashing good looks of my avatar.

When you first met Adam Blumenthal (CEO of Curious Sense), rumor is his first words to you were: "Fuck you." Did you want to club him over the head with your guitar or hug him?
Adam had the misfortune of meeting us on a Thursday, or as it came to be known on our tour, "Fuck You Thursday." The following Thursday I met figure skating champion Peggy Fleming, who greeted me in a similar fashion. Being told to fuck off by America's sweetheart was definitely a tour highlight.

I'm a longtime fan and I really miss the old-school rock mullet you used to sport. What the hell?
Strictly speaking, my 'do was more of a mull-fro -- equal parts mullet and afro. But thanks.

When you had that hair, did you and Billy Squier ever exchange notes on hair care?
No, but Richard Marx learned a thing or two from me. Later I would trade in the mull-fro for more of an Art Alexakis (of Everclear) look -- and Art tortures me with this fact regularly.

Despite being bare-lipped, would you say you support the Mustached American way of life?
Actually, I strongly disapprove of mustaches. Two words: "food particles." I am Irish. Facial hair is not one of my people's strong points.

You do know it improves guitar play and melodies by 38 and 49 percent respectively, right?