another crack at the promotions business for us tonight
the 2 previous outings with live music and very successful
the havana lounge actually set up for film showings so perfect
a small matter of woo-ing 32 people in to complete bums-on-seats
select an enticing film and offer the usual superb food - a no-brainer
wrong - a bit of a struggle to get the theatre half-full and not sure why
nobody complaining about the scaled back but still ample food offerings
fully devoured and on with the viewing as soon as all attendees present
prior worries re the equipment subdued with a r&m check earlier today
lights down, hit the play button, grab a seat at the back to take it all in
the film first seen at the 2013 nziff and then again with air nz in-flight
so well known and selected for viewing here for a number of reasons
music related - iconic band - drama element - life in nz - local interest
bob sutton appears in the film as a talking head and is also with us tonight
simon ogston - director - also with us in spirit having given us permission
the film opens in their home town of palmerston north with a blues player
he obviously well entrenched in blues and name-dropping the big stars
equally enthusiastically suggesting the skeptics made of the same stuff
the music in their souls - deep - almost in tears as he dwells on this
then it's off to school - dunedin-ite robin gauld giving us the tour
visits to rehearsal spaces intercut with photos of the young band
then the film launches into the first archival skeptics music video
and a clear reminder of the absolute unique nature of their music
pulsating electronica/guitars/drums/vocals and no holds barred
it sounds kind of dated but at the same time very contemporary
3 decades on and the thinking is how radical it must have been then
confirmed by the cult following they built up of very dedicated fans
the film spends time in the present with all remaining past members
fondly talking of their time in the band and the sadness of it's demise
john halvorsen the most enlightening with some hands-on demonstrations
he the guitarist and driving force in the second incarnation of the band
here showing his interest and skill in noise-making with guitars/amps
some fascinating footage also of the making of the affco music video
stuart page the filmmaker armed with a fully clockwork video camera
a very confronting video even today of the brutality of animal slaughter
and likewise the music itself sounding absolutely timeless and relevant
riveting stuff - me tearing my eyes from the screen to check the audience
and likewise there seems to be full engagement from all in attendance
the film itself is quite linear with a good balance of music and talking
with the final part where the human interest element comes to the fore
charismatic singer and creative energiser david d'ath contracts leukemia
at the time the band was hitting a peak in composition and performance
the illness taking him out very quickly and a week after their last show
the band members all talking reverently of the man and his dedication
most poignant though were the words from his partner and daughter
sarah still affected by her loss 24 years ago of the love of her life
her daughter also obviously missing the father she never knew
cut to the last show at the gluepot tavern in front of 700 fans
david d'ath literally days from death but giving it his all
90 minutes of a fully engaging film with so much on offer
chatting with our audience post-show confirming my feelings
first-timers and repeat viewers all agreeing on it's relevance
an offer made to drive guest bob sutton home to osborne
interesting trip - he providing more insight to the band
and that alone makes the whole night very worthwhile
a few more people would have been encouraging too
but - welcome to showbiz - lesson - assume nothing
let's see if we can pull another show together soon...
