
"I’ve always wanted to start a band with my brother," Darren Criss told us. "And life is too short, so I was like, 'If I don’t do this now, I’ll just wonder what if.'"
While most of us know Darren from the stage and screen, we probably recognize Chuck from his time with the Freelance Whales. They have two albums, including the hit "Generator^First Floor," and their music has appeared on shows like Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, and Roadies. Now, however, it's all about Computer Games.
"I’ve been kind of laying low," Chuck said. "I’ve had two kids. They keep me pretty busy. I’m excited to do the music thing again, but not just the music thing again, I get to do it with my brother."
While this is the duo's first professional project together, they've been collaborating and jamming together since they were kids — although none of it is on the internet.
"Thank god," Darren exclaimed.
Their first release — a four-track EP that's out now — is really just a way for them to test the waters before figuring out what's next.
"The crowd will dictate what’s going to happen," Darren said. "We’ll find out what people say."
The friends who have listened to their music describe it as having a '80s vibe, which coincides with the time period Darren and Chuck were growing up together.
"It coincidentally is reminiscent of the sounds of the late '80s and early '90s, which is when we were little children. So that’s kind of a fun coincidence but it’s not necessarily the aim," Darren explained. "There were certainly a lot of dance records from that time that our songs harken back to."
We went live with Darren and Chuck to chat about the new band, his relationship with music, and if we should expect A Very Potter Musical reunion.
Photo: Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock.