Good Vibrations: The Film
Premiere & Aftershow Parties, Belfast, 31/05/12
(review & photos © Joe Donnelly)
It's the morning after the night before, and I'm feeling more than a little fragile as I may have overdone the celebrating a tinsy winsy bit. I very rarely drink at all, but I got caught up in all the razzamatazz and nostalgia last night. My head is splitting and I'm croaking like a frog, yeah! As you've probably already guessed, it was an absolutely brilliant night.
The 'Good Vibrations' movie has been a longtime coming - jeez, the film has been in the pipeline for around 13 years and it's been over two years since the excellent 10 minute fund raising pilot film was made and then screened one Sunday afternoon in Feb 2010 at the 'QFT'.
Always the punky fanboy, I'd made a pilgrimage last year to the Blackstaff Industrial Estate on the Springfield Road when I heard the fake movie version of the 'Harp Bar' exterior had been built there. Sadly for me it had been removed the day before I visited, but a friend of a friend who worked in the units gave me a photo and the faux front actually did the impossible and looked even more grimey than the real thing lol.
I couldn't wait to see this film.
Anyway, I want to try and remember everything that went down last night so I think I'll take a little nap and then maybe the room will have stopped spinning before I continue any further. Thank god I booked those days off work weeks in advance.
(Film & After Party Running Order/ multi email)
Film starts 7.00pm approx / finishes at 9.00 pm approx-
Audience 30 mins to reach venues.
500 people invited across two venues. Capacity
Black Box 250/Black Box Cafe 60
Black Box Cafe
Jeff Doherty (DJ Set)
Black Box
9.00pm
Stuart Watson (DJ Set)
10.20pm
Protex
11.00pm
SabreJets
11.40pm
Outcasts
12.20pm-1.30pm Tanya Mellote/ Stuart Watson (DJ Set)
*All DJs can mix and match according to preference
(Needless to say it all didn't run to schedule on the night)
Get on with the review......
So tonights the night, and I'm absolutely delighted that the 'Good Vibrations' film is here at last, and not only is the movie making its high profile red carpet debut it's also launching the 'Belfast Film Festival.' For the first time ever theres a hometown big screen erected especially for the ocassion in the historic Ulster Hall which is celebrating its own 150th birthday this year. There was TV coverage all through the glorious day on the local news bulletins. which is not surprising as this is the true (ish) story of a most unlikely Belfast anti hero & the hottest ticket in town for quite some time. Requests to attend the premiere far out stripped supply so two more screenings were quickly arranged to cope with the overwhelming demand. Upon entering the venue, it was clear to see that the majority of the privlieged audience was made up of media luvvies & liggers who probably never visited any of Mr Hooleygan's shops or bought anything from him in their long lives - they certainly were never part of the NI punk scene documented in the film thats for sure. But it was great to catch up again with the ex punks / Harp Bar regulars from that time who were the kids that lived a confrontational and exciting lifestyle during a very dangerous time. They did hang out in the shop, steal the posters from the staircase wall, and we did buy our 45's, fanzines etc etc from the man of the moment himself.
The writers and producers totally understood from the get-go just how important this movie was going to be to a generation of kids who stood together studded shoulder to shoulder before and alongside 'Terri Hooley' kicking against the pricks, they treated Terri and the punk's tale with empathy, respect and some very dark humour. Certain scenes in the movie were laugh out loud, while others like Gordi Owens visiting the shop for the first-time and then the subsequent 'Rudi' gig in The Pound just lifted my heart, it was so vivid and evocative of that great time. The sinister side of the story was Terri's beating by two skinheads, which was very realistic, vicious and hard to watch gritty film-making.
Now the important question everyone is asking "did the 'Good Vibrations' film live up to all the hype & expectation?" Of course it f*****g did! There was a long and well deserved standing ovation for all the main players (without whom this movie wouldn't have happened) who were all brought onstage together and seemed genuinely moved by the ecstatic reaction to their little independant film which is now set to go global.
Richard Dormer is a revelation, he is so realistic and believable. He actually does Terri better than Terri does, and if justice is done this will be seen as an award winning performance by the movie industry movers & shakers. That's if 'Petesy Burns' (Outcasts/ Stalag 17) as 'Pugwash' doesn't pip him to the post, lol. In truth there are many strong performances throughout.
My son Steven ($$) and I can't thank Lisa Barros D'Sa, Glenn Leyburn, David Holmes & Chris Martin enough for giving us the opportunity to participate in the film - they are four really talented and very nice people, we are very grateful indeed. '$$' and his pal Chris Smith (plus my authentic punk era 'Rudi' logo emblazoned leather jacket) got the chance to reprise their roles from the original pilot film, only this time on the hallowed Ulster Hall stage. '$$' & me also spent a very long day back in September 2011 down in Dundalk filming his part as the 'Rural Punk Kid', which is in the finished movie. Early during pre production stage he was being lined up for a band member part, but school hours got in the way and he couldn't commit or devote the time required. Then there's my unseen scarey cameo as the bar manager who refuses to cough up the cash to Terri (Richard Dormer) because of the damage caused to his venue after 'Rudi' played. The scene thankfully only made it as far as the cutting room floor due to time constraints, but I think my wig went on to work on Adrian Dunbar's head in the completed film. I'm more than happy to be in there as my teenage punky self in a 1979 'Something Else' tv clip with the real 'Rudi' and to be included in the end credits vintage punk photo's reel.
Next screening is apparently set for the 'Galway film fleadh in July with more local one off screenings a strong possibility. I'm now back at square one and I can't wait to see this magnificent movie again ASAP. Congratulations to everyone involved with 'Good Vibrations', you've delivered a movie we can all be proud of.
The After-Parties..........
We exited the Ulster Hall and stopped off at the Voodoo Bar for a swift half before heading round to the Black Box for the after party. '$pikey $teve'/ 'VX' were meant to play at one of the film related after party gigs, but again real life got in the way and there was no option but to withdraw at the last minute due to unfortunate A level exam schedule pressures (maybe next time!).
There was quite a few ghosts from our collective past hanging out post pemiere in the Black Box - long lost old punky faces, some I hadn't seen in many years. Plus there was also free beer upon entry to the club, and that always goes down well. First off, sorry about some of the photo quality attached, I don't know what happened but the stage area was very dark during Protex's set and I'd had a few beers by this point which probably didn't help my vision. I was surprised when I heard that Protex had reformed after so many years, I didn't know until a week or so before the gig though that only Aidan Murtagh & David McMaster from the original line up would be playing as Owen McFadden and Paul Maxwell had both declined to join the reunion. I always liked the band, and just like me I remember them being massive fans of the early 'Clash' stuff. So for old times sake I was eager to check them out. I don't know what was wrong here but Protex were extremely disappointing. The band had no energy about them, they were never the most hardcore outfit but tonight they sounded so lightweight they made 'The Moondogs' sound like 'Metallica' in comparison. The new songs sounded dreary and lifeless, and their classic NI pop punk tunes like 'Strange Obsessions', 'Don't ring me up', and 'I can't cope' were going nowhere fast. Hopefully this was just first night nerves and only a minor blip. I'd really like to see them crank it up a gear and hopefully they'll get into their pop punk groove next time.
The Sabrejets are always dependable, they're so well drilled they never fail to hit the mark live. Like the TV commercial says "they do exactly what it says on the tin". The Belfast greaser kings still reign supreme.
I'm going to keep this short & sweet. The Outcasts sounded fantastic, this was easily the best show I've seen them play since they reformed last year. The band are really getting it together now - you can't fail to see they're growing in confidence and starting to get their swagger back.
It was now getting pretty late, so we decided to head round to the Hudson bar to check out Terri's aftershow party - it's a narrow place and it was crammed, and there he was onstage accompanied by his usual guitarist, liquored and ranting away. Like the song says "its his party and he can do what he wants to". I headed to the toilets for a quick slash and immediately got into an argument, I was only in the door and I was nearly in a scrap with some pissed up old tosser. So much for the misconception about punks being violent, there wasn't a peep out of anyone in the Black Box all evening. I stopped for a natter with Terri who was on great form fully enjoying his moment in the spotlight and he kept hugging me; he then told '$$' that "I hated him" lol (which I certainly don't).
'Mr Hooleygan' is a real one off character, a storytelling socialist press darling anarchist local legend and possibly one of the worst business-men ever, but through thick & thin and with eternal optimism he has kept the 'Good Vibrations' name alive as a legendary brand. The actual 'GV' record shop still exists and resides in its current form on Royal Avenue in Belfast City Centre, and rumour has it the record label is set to return. The fact that regardless of the location he's still out there doing it 36 years later is his two fingered salute to the world, because he's never let the bastards grind him down.
Stuff the Jubilee, 31.5.12 was a real celebration. 'God Save Terri Hooley'.
Joe Donnelly Belfast 3.6.12.
It's the morning after the night before, and I'm feeling more than a little fragile as I may have overdone the celebrating a tinsy winsy bit. I very rarely drink at all, but I got caught up in all the razzamatazz and nostalgia last night. My head is splitting and I'm croaking like a frog, yeah! As you've probably already guessed, it was an absolutely brilliant night.
The 'Good Vibrations' movie has been a longtime coming - jeez, the film has been in the pipeline for around 13 years and it's been over two years since the excellent 10 minute fund raising pilot film was made and then screened one Sunday afternoon in Feb 2010 at the 'QFT'.
Always the punky fanboy, I'd made a pilgrimage last year to the Blackstaff Industrial Estate on the Springfield Road when I heard the fake movie version of the 'Harp Bar' exterior had been built there. Sadly for me it had been removed the day before I visited, but a friend of a friend who worked in the units gave me a photo and the faux front actually did the impossible and looked even more grimey than the real thing lol.
I couldn't wait to see this film.
Anyway, I want to try and remember everything that went down last night so I think I'll take a little nap and then maybe the room will have stopped spinning before I continue any further. Thank god I booked those days off work weeks in advance.
(Film & After Party Running Order/ multi email)
Film starts 7.00pm approx / finishes at 9.00 pm approx-
Audience 30 mins to reach venues.
500 people invited across two venues. Capacity
Black Box 250/Black Box Cafe 60
Black Box Cafe
Jeff Doherty (DJ Set)
Black Box
9.00pm
Stuart Watson (DJ Set)
10.20pm
Protex
11.00pm
SabreJets
11.40pm
Outcasts
12.20pm-1.30pm Tanya Mellote/ Stuart Watson (DJ Set)
*All DJs can mix and match according to preference
(Needless to say it all didn't run to schedule on the night)
Get on with the review......
So tonights the night, and I'm absolutely delighted that the 'Good Vibrations' film is here at last, and not only is the movie making its high profile red carpet debut it's also launching the 'Belfast Film Festival.' For the first time ever theres a hometown big screen erected especially for the ocassion in the historic Ulster Hall which is celebrating its own 150th birthday this year. There was TV coverage all through the glorious day on the local news bulletins. which is not surprising as this is the true (ish) story of a most unlikely Belfast anti hero & the hottest ticket in town for quite some time. Requests to attend the premiere far out stripped supply so two more screenings were quickly arranged to cope with the overwhelming demand. Upon entering the venue, it was clear to see that the majority of the privlieged audience was made up of media luvvies & liggers who probably never visited any of Mr Hooleygan's shops or bought anything from him in their long lives - they certainly were never part of the NI punk scene documented in the film thats for sure. But it was great to catch up again with the ex punks / Harp Bar regulars from that time who were the kids that lived a confrontational and exciting lifestyle during a very dangerous time. They did hang out in the shop, steal the posters from the staircase wall, and we did buy our 45's, fanzines etc etc from the man of the moment himself.
The writers and producers totally understood from the get-go just how important this movie was going to be to a generation of kids who stood together studded shoulder to shoulder before and alongside 'Terri Hooley' kicking against the pricks, they treated Terri and the punk's tale with empathy, respect and some very dark humour. Certain scenes in the movie were laugh out loud, while others like Gordi Owens visiting the shop for the first-time and then the subsequent 'Rudi' gig in The Pound just lifted my heart, it was so vivid and evocative of that great time. The sinister side of the story was Terri's beating by two skinheads, which was very realistic, vicious and hard to watch gritty film-making.
Now the important question everyone is asking "did the 'Good Vibrations' film live up to all the hype & expectation?" Of course it f*****g did! There was a long and well deserved standing ovation for all the main players (without whom this movie wouldn't have happened) who were all brought onstage together and seemed genuinely moved by the ecstatic reaction to their little independant film which is now set to go global.
Richard Dormer is a revelation, he is so realistic and believable. He actually does Terri better than Terri does, and if justice is done this will be seen as an award winning performance by the movie industry movers & shakers. That's if 'Petesy Burns' (Outcasts/ Stalag 17) as 'Pugwash' doesn't pip him to the post, lol. In truth there are many strong performances throughout.
My son Steven ($$) and I can't thank Lisa Barros D'Sa, Glenn Leyburn, David Holmes & Chris Martin enough for giving us the opportunity to participate in the film - they are four really talented and very nice people, we are very grateful indeed. '$$' and his pal Chris Smith (plus my authentic punk era 'Rudi' logo emblazoned leather jacket) got the chance to reprise their roles from the original pilot film, only this time on the hallowed Ulster Hall stage. '$$' & me also spent a very long day back in September 2011 down in Dundalk filming his part as the 'Rural Punk Kid', which is in the finished movie. Early during pre production stage he was being lined up for a band member part, but school hours got in the way and he couldn't commit or devote the time required. Then there's my unseen scarey cameo as the bar manager who refuses to cough up the cash to Terri (Richard Dormer) because of the damage caused to his venue after 'Rudi' played. The scene thankfully only made it as far as the cutting room floor due to time constraints, but I think my wig went on to work on Adrian Dunbar's head in the completed film. I'm more than happy to be in there as my teenage punky self in a 1979 'Something Else' tv clip with the real 'Rudi' and to be included in the end credits vintage punk photo's reel.
Next screening is apparently set for the 'Galway film fleadh in July with more local one off screenings a strong possibility. I'm now back at square one and I can't wait to see this magnificent movie again ASAP. Congratulations to everyone involved with 'Good Vibrations', you've delivered a movie we can all be proud of.
The After-Parties..........
We exited the Ulster Hall and stopped off at the Voodoo Bar for a swift half before heading round to the Black Box for the after party. '$pikey $teve'/ 'VX' were meant to play at one of the film related after party gigs, but again real life got in the way and there was no option but to withdraw at the last minute due to unfortunate A level exam schedule pressures (maybe next time!).
There was quite a few ghosts from our collective past hanging out post pemiere in the Black Box - long lost old punky faces, some I hadn't seen in many years. Plus there was also free beer upon entry to the club, and that always goes down well. First off, sorry about some of the photo quality attached, I don't know what happened but the stage area was very dark during Protex's set and I'd had a few beers by this point which probably didn't help my vision. I was surprised when I heard that Protex had reformed after so many years, I didn't know until a week or so before the gig though that only Aidan Murtagh & David McMaster from the original line up would be playing as Owen McFadden and Paul Maxwell had both declined to join the reunion. I always liked the band, and just like me I remember them being massive fans of the early 'Clash' stuff. So for old times sake I was eager to check them out. I don't know what was wrong here but Protex were extremely disappointing. The band had no energy about them, they were never the most hardcore outfit but tonight they sounded so lightweight they made 'The Moondogs' sound like 'Metallica' in comparison. The new songs sounded dreary and lifeless, and their classic NI pop punk tunes like 'Strange Obsessions', 'Don't ring me up', and 'I can't cope' were going nowhere fast. Hopefully this was just first night nerves and only a minor blip. I'd really like to see them crank it up a gear and hopefully they'll get into their pop punk groove next time.
The Sabrejets are always dependable, they're so well drilled they never fail to hit the mark live. Like the TV commercial says "they do exactly what it says on the tin". The Belfast greaser kings still reign supreme.
I'm going to keep this short & sweet. The Outcasts sounded fantastic, this was easily the best show I've seen them play since they reformed last year. The band are really getting it together now - you can't fail to see they're growing in confidence and starting to get their swagger back.
It was now getting pretty late, so we decided to head round to the Hudson bar to check out Terri's aftershow party - it's a narrow place and it was crammed, and there he was onstage accompanied by his usual guitarist, liquored and ranting away. Like the song says "its his party and he can do what he wants to". I headed to the toilets for a quick slash and immediately got into an argument, I was only in the door and I was nearly in a scrap with some pissed up old tosser. So much for the misconception about punks being violent, there wasn't a peep out of anyone in the Black Box all evening. I stopped for a natter with Terri who was on great form fully enjoying his moment in the spotlight and he kept hugging me; he then told '$$' that "I hated him" lol (which I certainly don't).
'Mr Hooleygan' is a real one off character, a storytelling socialist press darling anarchist local legend and possibly one of the worst business-men ever, but through thick & thin and with eternal optimism he has kept the 'Good Vibrations' name alive as a legendary brand. The actual 'GV' record shop still exists and resides in its current form on Royal Avenue in Belfast City Centre, and rumour has it the record label is set to return. The fact that regardless of the location he's still out there doing it 36 years later is his two fingered salute to the world, because he's never let the bastards grind him down.
Stuff the Jubilee, 31.5.12 was a real celebration. 'God Save Terri Hooley'.
Joe Donnelly Belfast 3.6.12.