Options
Jeff Ament will feature in a new documentary about 1980s punk in Montana
The documentary – “…So Good I Can’t Take It” directed by Kirk LeClaire – is about Montana’s punk, new wave and alternative music scene as it was in the 1980s.
One of the most universally recognizable interviewees in the film is Jeff Ament. The bassist grew up in Big Sandy, Montana, and briefly went to college and played in bands in Missoula before moving to Seattle with, as he says, $100 in his pocket.
“…So Good I Can’t Take It” will show at the Ellen Theater on Tuesday, July 30. Tickets and more information about the screening can be found at bozemanfilmsociety.org.
0
Comments
A 81 minute survey of Montana Punk, Postpunk, New Wave, and Hardcore from the late 1970s to the early 90's. Features material culled from shoe boxes and dark closets documenting over 20 of the states wildest bands and their local scenes.
Personal interviews are supplemented with a treasure trove of 16mm, Super-8's and VHS tapes of live performances, archival recordings, recent tape transfers and much more. Many of the recording are seeing the light of day for the first time.
Director Kirk LeClaire wrote, filmed,edited and traveled the state gathering material and interviewing many of the major figures in the movement. This is an exploration of a time and place in which music was changing and the boundaries of style were in flux in a place just left of center. Montana is the last best punk place.
Inspired by and working with David Marten’s Lost Sounds Montana music archive project, director Kirk LeClaire stitches together a fascinating story of musical rebels and energetic youth playing “weird” music that wasn’t always appreciated by listeners but that allowed many to hone their craft. Musicians and artists that had their roots in this early Montana music scene are plentiful, including musician Jeff Ament (Big Sandy) of Pearl Jam, Steve Albini (Missoula)- Recording Engineer of Nirvana, The Pixies, and more; filmmaker John Dahl (member of early Bozeman band – The Pugs) who went on to direct “Rounders” and numerous TV shows; Composer Mike Morasky (Bozeman) of Steel Pole Bathtub; Keyboard/Singer Reggie Watts (Great Falls) now music director on The Late Late Show with James Corden; and the late Joe Skyward, who played and promoted underground rock in Bozeman, and was a member Posies and Sunny Day Real Estate after moving from Bozeman. Not rated, the film runs 82 minutes.
The film has its share of alternative music stars. One of the most universally recognizable interviewees in the film is Jeff Ament, bassist of the immensely popular grunge band Pearl Jam. Ament grew up in Big Sandy, Montana, and briefly went to college and played in bands in Missoula before moving to Seattle with, as he says, $100 in his pocket.
"Here's a guy that is playing punk music in Missoula, decided that there's something happening in Seattle, moves there ... gets into Pearl Jam and now has this huge success," LeClaire said.