Working Class Rock Star (2008)

Director:

Justin McConnell

Writer:

Justin McConnell (concept)

Release Date:

2008 (Canada)

Genre:

Documentary | Music

Tagline:

The rarely seen face of the music industry.

Plot:

The lives and struggles of touring musicians as they expose a little seen face of the music industry, and how it is changing.

Plot Keywords:

Band | Industry | Strapping Young Lad | Rock 'n' Roll | Rockumentary

Cast

Randy Blythe	...	Himself
Dave Brockie	...	Himself
Jean-François Dagenais	...	Himself
Alex Delis	...	Himself
Jessica DesJardins	...	Herself
Peter Dolving	...	Himself
Jason Fields	...	Himself
Norm Geneau	...	Himself
Kevin Gibson	...	Himself
Shane Ivy	...	Himself
Rob Kleiner	...	Himself
Frank Marino	...	Himself
Mike Marino	...	Himself
Matt McGachy	...	Himself
Trevor Phipps	...	Himself
Dirk Rogers	...	Himself
Caleb Schneider	...	Himself
Todd Smith	...	Himself
Ken Susi	...	Himself
Devin Townsend	...	Himself
Matthew Wicklund	...	Himself

Directed by
Justin McConnell

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Justin McConnell		concept

Produced by
J. Harry Edmiston	....	associate producer
Justin McConnell	....	producer
Sam Forrest Schrader	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Rob Kleiner

Cinematography by
Justin McConnell

Film Editing by
Justin McConnell

Sound Department
George Flores	....	sound mixer

Camera and Electrical Department
Tom Gregg	....	camera operator
Dylan Harrison	....	camera operator
Wesley Hartshorn	....	camera operator
Greg Sommer	....	camera operator

Thanks
Kevin Hutchinson	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Unstable Ground Productions

Distributors

• Cinema Epoch (2008) (Canada) (DVD)
• Cinema Epoch (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• MTS Video On Demand (2009) (Canada) (TV)
• Peace Arch Entertainment Group (2009) (Canada) (TV)
• Shaw Cable Systems Ltd. (2009) (Canada) (TV)
• Super Channel (2010) (Canada) (TV)

Other Companies

• Rogers Television  Canada VOD

Runtime:

Canada:95 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Filming Locations:

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Company:

Unstable Ground Productions

Says a lot that needs to be said

I caught this at a premiere screening in Toronto back in June. It was a cool night, they even had a concert following it under the same ticket price. I couldn't go to the concert, but I'm happy I saw the film. Afterward I talked briefly with the director, and apparently he shot most of this movie by himself, with his own money. All said pretty impressive considering what he managed to pull off.

In the film you follow 3 different bands, all of which seem pretty talented and down to earth people. Bloodshoteye and 3 Mile Scream are younger, but seem to really have their head in the game. Tub Ring seem to have more experience and been around longer. Was neat to see their lives and how they clash with the life on the road and in a band. There's also a bunch of interviews with people from bigger bands, like Lamb of God and GWAR. I found Dave Brockie (Oderus' real name) from GWAR to be funny as hell, and really insightful. Classic rocker Frank Marino comes off best though, saying some pretty eye opening things.

If you're a musician artist or anything I highly recommend this. Piracy, label changes, the good and the ugly are all covered here in some way. You don't have to be a metal fan either, but it helps. More people need to see this film.