DataKrashD is a chromatic rock band that it finally getting noticed outside the region. The band is named for Rache Bartmoss’ infamous virus that destroyed the Old NET (Cyberpunk RED Core Rulebook, pp. 254-255). They just kicked off their first large-scale tour. Like many bands, the group started out covering classic artists like Samurai and Kerry Eurodyne, adding in songs by their guitarist and bassist, Staccato and Introvert. DKD, as their fans call them, soon got attention for these hard-hitting original pieces, which didn’t always fit into classical chromatic. DKD’s two songwriters and the band’s saxophonist and composer, Mellow, use everything from classic jazz to centuries-old folk songs to focus attention on today’s social ills.
This Is DataKrashD!
- Pete “Mellow” Dales, electric sax. Mellow is the word, aided by assorted drugs. While any DKD member will indulge, he’s a functional addict. He’s also very kind and friendly. Even people who aren’t fans of DKD’s music like him.The band’s composer/arranger.
- Logan “Brash” Ortiz, percussion. Again, what the label says. Whether he’s coming on to someone, or trying to start a fight. But those closest to him know he’s a bit of a romantic deep down.
- Velma “Variable” Morita, keyboards, vocals. Both good looking and talented. She could have been a concert pianist but was too rebellious. Velma still doesn’t like anyone telling her what to do.
- Egon “Staccato” Krebs, lead guitar & vocals. Good shot with an excellent quality pistol, fast talker. Writes the lyrics, sometimes with Introvert.
- Ezekial “Introvert” Simms, bass guitar. He got the nickname because he is the life of the party, and almost as friendly as Mellow. Co-writer, with Staccato, of several of their songs.
DataKrashD: OUR Streets! (album):
Most tracks are stereotypical chromatic rock odes to violence, rebellion, violent rebellion, stick it to the corpos and the wealthy. Below are some notable songs that stand out in various ways.
- “Run the Edge” – A crew of edgerunners barely keeps ahead of corporate security.
- “Fridge Man” – An ode to Rache Bartmoss, where he comes off somewhere between anti-hero and Big Bad Evil Guy. It showcases wild neo-jazz sax by Mellow.
- “The Help” – A young streetrat takes a job with an unnamed corporation to keep from starving and realizes they’re slowly being corrupted by their employer.
- “Tomas D” – a modern-day cyberpunk re-imagining of “Tom Dooley,” a 19th century American folk song. Tom Dula (pronounced “Dooley”) was a Confederate veteran convicted, arguably wrongly, for murdering one of several women he was involved with. In this version he’s a veteran of the South American conflicts.
- “These Streets are Yours!” – an unusual chromatic anthem condemning not the usual targets of chromatic rock but ordinary people who look the other way, don’t even try to improve their street, or help their neighbors. Profane lyrics about how such locals are just selfish politicians or corpos minus the loads of Eddies.
Notes: In case you need it, DataKrashD members can be considered to have Charismatic Impact 8 or 9, as they just arrived at national level. Of course you probably shouldn’t use Charismatic Impact on PCs, since players should be free to choose how their characters react to NPCs.
Your crew can take a long-term gig as support for DKD on their tour, or just for their Night City concert. Don’t limit the players to bodyguarding (Solos); sourcing good street drugs and fulfilling all the weird contract clauses (Fixers); or making the next great rockumentary (Medias). Musical Rockerboys can be the opening act, with their fellow PCs as their team. A PC Rockerboy might even be one of the DKD bandmembers! This is also a chance for players to try out some of the reskins or multiclass options presented in Collecting the Random (official CPRED downloadable content). For example, the Agent (Random, p. 2), a reskin of the Medtech Role that caters to the needs of Rockerboys and other celebs, making sure they’re happy and at their best for their adoring fans.
Instead of a full campaign or arc, DataKrashD can be used for a one-shot, being hired for just the one concert. Or the band’s concert might just be the backdrop for an entirely different gig.
I originally created DataKrashD for a Play by Post campaign arc. The players and I had a great time from escorting DKD into the city to bodyguarding them and their local sponsors to dealing with the saxophonist’s medical crisis. And that was all in the week leading up to the concert! During the concert? The crew foiled a kidnapping.
Art: Keyboardist Variable and guitarist Staccato, rehearsing vocals. © 2022 Linda Whitson
Disclaimer: “DataKrashD, a New Band for Cyberpunk RED” is unofficial content provided under the Homebrew Content Policy of R. Talsorian Games and is not approved or endorsed by RTG. This content references materials that are the property of R. Talsorian Games and its licensees.
Linda Whitson
Latest posts by Linda Whitson (see all)
- Astral Projections – The Ripperdoc Is In - May 8, 2023
