The Protomen’s Scartoe Gleason Emerges From Retirement

Let me tell you about a magical time in history that I like to call “2004” — a time of flip phones, MySpace and “Vote for Pedro” shirts. A time when The Protomen played their very first show.

While trends have come and gone in the two intervening decades, the Mega Man-themed Nashville institution’s stature has only grown. Originally a one-off project that came to life within MTSU’s recording industry program, The Protomen have gone on to produce two concept albums based on the Mega Man universe (with a third on the way), plus live albums, a covers album, soundtrack work and a handful of EPs.

Onstage, they’re a band of robots battling an evil Dr. Wily against a backdrop of synth-worshipping arena rock and power ballads. And those battles have only gotten larger — in January, the group played video-game-centric MAGFest in Washington, D.C., to an audience of 5,000.

With their 20th anniversary coming up, marked by a long-sold-out show at Eastside Bowl, I connected with one of their former robot soldiers. Guitarist Scartoe Gleason, who exited the band in 2009, is someone I’ve definitely never met before and am in no way associated with at all.

Hey, it’s great to finally meet. This is crazy, because I’m always getting mistaken for you.

That doesn’t make sense. Your face isn’t even silver.

Yeah, I guess that’s true. Can you tell me a bit about the early days of the band?

Oh man, it was great. It’s crazy to think of the stuff we got away with back then. Some really ridiculous situations like getting run out of a house in San Diego and ending up in Tijuana. Plus all the insane ideas we’d have for shows. Definitely the sorts of things you can only pull off in your 20s. No one in their 40s would still be doing that sort of thing. Absolutely no chance.

Let’s hear some more about those early battles with Dr. Wily.

They were hard-fought for sure. Back then we didn’t have the best equipment for the job, and battle plans were kinda made up as we went. But clearly, we came out on top. That’s why absolutely nothing bad has happened in the world since 2009.

That’s the year you left the band. What have you been up to since then?

Oh, you know, the normal robot retirement stuff. Traveled a bit. Got a little spot out on the West Coast and started a family.

Wow, that’s pretty much exactly what I’ve been doing since 2009.

What a crazy coincidence! Anyway, yeah, I mostly wait for Panther or Commander or Murphy or Gambler or any of the other guys and gals from the band to call. I’m sure they’re out enjoying their retirement as well.

I’m not sure about “retirement.” Since you left the band, Protomen have done the Warped Tour, played Bonnaroo, been featured in ***Rock Band 4, played Tenacious D’s festival and performed with Jack Black, toured Europe and Australia, had a song on the Cobra Kai* series — I could go on.**

[Scartoe spits coffee.] They’ve done what now?

I just mean — what’s it been like to watch their success from afar?

I, uh. Yeah, that’s — why did no one call me? Is this because I told Commander that I don’t like Journey?

What’s not to like about Journey?

Don’t you start with me too.

So you had no idea the band was still going?

I just don’t get it. I thought we fixed everything.

I don’t think everyone would agree about things being fine since 2009.

What do you mean?

Well, for one, remember that guy from The Apprentice?

Oh man, that show sucked.

Here. [Sullivan hands Scartoe a stack of newspapers.]

You’ve got to be kidding me.

I had heard a rumor that you would be rejoining the band for their 20th anniversary show, but I guess since all of this —

[Scartoe cuts Sullivan off.] Oh, yes, yes. I, uh — yeah, I’m definitely doing that, and the thing about me not knowing was just a bit. Remind me, where’s the show again? I assume with everything you just told me that we’re playing the Ryman.