Q&A with Featured Artist: (hed)p.e

(hed)p.e. is set to debut their brand new song "Suck It Up" as part of the new EA Trax feature in Madden NFL 2003. We sat down with a few members of the band to talk about Madden, the music and more. EA SPORTS: How did you get involved with Madden NFL 2003? Chad: I think our manager hooked it up for us. B.C.: Yeah, our manager and future race car driver, Rick Sales, hooked up the deal, and it's awesome because on tour, we battle at Madden. We all agree that EA's Madden is the best selection out of the football category of games. EA: What does it mean for the band to have the song "Suck It Up" debut in Madden NFL 2003, which ships about 5 months before the release of your new album?

Guitarist Chad Chad: I hope it means that we get some free games! Seriously, it's a nice opportunity to expose our band a bit more. B.C.: It means we will get tons of exposure prior to the album coming out. What more can you ask for? On a cooler note, it's kind of a payoff to the band members who have loved and respected the game for a long time running. EA: Are any of you guys avid video gamers? If so, what are your favorite games? How often do you play? And what consoles do you use?

Drummer B.C. Chad: I am the undisputed KING of James Bond 4!! No radar, no health, no auto aim. I'll challenge anyone anytime -- there's no competition for me on PS2, baby! B.C.: Myself, I am really into racing. So I dig the NASCAR games, play very often and I use a P2. EA: You tagged your sound as "G-punk", how would you describe that music to someone who hasn't heard it before? B.C.: It seems that the punk has gone away from the music a bit in the past few years, but the attitude is still there. I don't describe our music -- I never really know what to say. Chad: We don't really put titles on our music anymore, we just try and write some cool songs. EA: Are you guys interested in doing more soundtrack work, for either games, movies or TV? B.C.: Of course. It really helps expose the band to people who have never heard of us. All exposure is good exposure. Chad: Oh yeah, I've got plenty of material to go around -- plus I need the money! EA: What do you guys like to do when you're not playing music? B.C.: I've been instructing at the Derek Daly Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada. It's a Formula 2000 racing school that teaches everything from defensive driving to driving at high speeds in a Formula 2000 open wheel racing car. Chad: I enjoy killing my friends on "Agent Under Fire" and going to the beach. EA: And finally, how did you end up with the name (hed)p.e.? Chad: We were known as (hed) for a long time before we landed a record deal. We ended up adding the p.e. later (standing for "Planet Earth") to separate ourselves from any other companies or bands trying to use the name "hed". In the beginning I think it caused some confusion but now I think it did exactly what we wanted it to do -- make us stand out from the norm. To find out more about (hed)p.e., check out their official site hedpe.com.