Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie

Last updated
Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie
Attack of Life.jpg
Directed by Drew Fortier
Produced byAnu Gunn
Joe Placzkowski
Howard Benson
Drew Fortier
Starring Bang Tango
Narrated by Dee Snider
CinematographyAnu Gunn
Drew Fortier
Edited byDrew Fortier
Release dates
  • April 2015 (2015-04)(Chicago premiere)
  • January 15, 2016 (2016-01-15)
Running time
83 minutes
CountryUnited States

Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie is a 2015 documentary film about American hard rock band Bang Tango. [1] The film is directed and edited by Drew Fortier, and features interviews with band members, fans, producers, and musical contemporaries such as Howard Benson, Riki Rachtman, Andrew Wilkow, Mandy Lion, Chip Z'nuff, as well as an opening narration by Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider. [2] [3] [4] The film received positive reviews.

Contents

Production

Production began when Drew Fortier met Bang Tango in June 2011, which led to the band offering Fortier to shoot footage for a proposed studio documentary as the band were recording an album in Fortier's hometown of Chicago, Illinois at this time. [5] The documentary would then shift focus from a studio documentary to a feature-length endeavor once Fortier was put in contact with original members of the band and more details were revealed regarding the band's history. [6]

Despite being chosen by the band to create the film, Fortier has no formal training or schooling in filmmaking. [7]

Filming

Four years were spent shooting and editing the film. Fortier enlisted the help of cinematographer Anu Gunn to shoot many of the Los Angeles-based interviews in the film; Gunn would end up producing the film as well. Fortier accompanied Bang Tango on many tours during the four years spent making the film. [8] Due to his lack of background in filmmaking, and failure to log footage properly, Fortier had to edit and sort through over 400 hours of footage to complete the film. [9] [5]

In 2014, after showing the completed rough cut of the film to current members of the band, it was felt that the film's ending was too abrupt and depressing. It had originally ended with frontman Joe Lesté looking at the camera stating, in regards to the band's legacy, that "that was then, who cares?"; the film then cut to black for the end credits. With this in mind, it was decided by the band to bring Fortier out to a show that the band were performing at in Michigan alongside Queensrÿche, Great White, and Dio Disciples. [10] It was foretold to Fortier that it would be the perfect moment to shoot the new ending for the film seeing as it would take place at a large outdoor amphitheater and there would be a large audience in attendance to show Bang Tango in a much more positive light in a modern-day setting. The doors to the event opened close to the same time Bang Tango had begun performing their set, and due to this, only a handful of attendees were able to watch the band perform. Fortier felt that it would still make for a suitable ending, feeling that it would show the band in a more realistic light. [11] The film was then finished in early 2015. [12]

Release

Due to song clearing issues with Universal Music regarding the usage of Bang Tango's back catalogue of music in the film, a proper release was never had. One free public screening occurred in Chicago, Illinois in April 2015 for which Bang Tango was in attendance. [13]

Fortier would go on to join Bang Tango as their second guitarist, [14] a position he would hold until 2017.

January 2016, Fortier uploaded and released the film for free on YouTube. [15] As of 2024, the documentary is viewable in 480p, the fourth lowest resolution available on YouTube. [16]

Reception

Bang Tango

Members of Bang Tango past and present generally praised the film for being a straightforward, unbiased, and untampered telling of the band's story without making it a fluff piece similar to many other "rock docs" of recent times. [17] [18] [19]

Bang Tango frontman Joe Lesté publicly stated his dislike for the film, feeling that he and his band were misrepresented especially during the ending. Lesté had also mentioned that, allowing Fortier to do this film was one of his biggest regrets from when he was a drinker. Despite his feelings on the film, Lesté mentioned he and Fortier are friends and is happy to have him as a member of Bang Tango as a guitarist. [20] [21]

Fortier made a public response to Lesté's feelings on the film's ending in that the frontman had genuinely enjoyed and appreciated the film after viewing it at the screening but feels that the now sober Lesté may be a bit taken aback by where he was in his life during the filming and conclusion of the film's events. [11]

Reviews

Reviews of the film were positive. [22] Although the film has not been released officially, it had still garnered reviews amongst many music websites and publications. [23] The general consensus being that despite its low budget, the film still manages to get its point across in an unbiased, artistic, and engaging manner while being able to appeal to not only fans of the band or genre, but to anyone not familiar with Bang Tango. The general storytelling and editing were met with praise along with the chronological telling of the band's history. [24] The ending of the film polarized reviewers by either having them side with the band's frontman, Joe Lesté, for keeping Bang Tango alive to this day; or he is seen as someone who should have put the band to rest a long time ago and is only hurting the brand by keeping it active. [25] [26]

The Rock Pit wrote, "Introduced by Twisted Sister's Dee Snider, it's a ride that you can't take your eyes off of as it charts the history of the band to date taking in all the twists, turns and bumps along the way." [27]

Legendary Rock Interviews wrote, "If you are looking for a slickly produced, homogenized and "shot in hi-def" documentary about a rock n' roll band, I suggest you watch something else. If you want to watch a "warts and all" documentary containing fantastic interviews, career-spanning live footage presented in chronological fashion where you get a true sense of the subject matter then Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie is the film for you." [28]

Heavy Metal ICU wrote, "The film is gritty, dirty, and fun, just like Bang Tango. This doc doesn't smell of band desperation ala Anvil! The Story of Anvil. It's not the "I'm doing the best I can" tribute film as the Quiet Riot documentary from recent years either. This is a movie not only about a band that only niche fan base will be familiar with, but about all the bands just like Bang Tango back in the day." [29]

In May 2018, the film was the primary focus of an episode of Rock out with your Doc Out, hosted by Kay Hanley of Letters to Cleo and comedian Greg Behrendt. The duo praised the film for its brutally honest storytelling as well as its accurate depiction of the shift in popular music in the early 90s from hair metal party rock to grunge and alternative music; citing the film's subject, Bang Tango, as being caught between both genres. [30]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riki Rachtman</span> American television and radio personality

David Andrew "Riki" Rachtman is an American television and radio personality. He is best known for his association with the late 1980s and early-to-mid 1990s hard rock and heavy metal scene, hosting MTV's Headbangers Ball from 1990 to the show's cancellation in 1995, and he was the owner of the Hollywood-based nightclub The Cathouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brent Muscat</span> American guitarist

Brent Muscat is an American musician best known as the guitarist of glam metal band Faster Pussycat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhino Bucket</span> American hard rock band

Rhino Bucket is an American hard rock band from Van Nuys, Los Angeles, formed in 1988. The group's sound is often compared to that of AC/DC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bang Tango</span> American hard rock band

Bang Tango is an American hard rock band. The band was formed in Los Angeles in 1988 and was signed to MCA Records the same year.

Beautiful Creatures is an American hard rock band formed in 1999 by guitarist DJ Ashba and singer Joe Lesté of Bang Tango. The group's current lineup is composed of Lesté, Alex Grossi, Anthony Focx, Kenny Kweens (bass) and Timmy Russell (drums). Previously the group featured Michael Thomas and Glen Sobel among others while founder DJ Ashba is currently the lead guitarist for Sixx:A.M.

Femme Fatale was an American hard rock band. Originally from Albuquerque, the band moved to Los Angeles and released one studio album before disbanding. Lead vocalist, Lorraine Lewis, restarted the band in 2013 with an all-female line-up.

Brighton Rock was a Canadian hard rock band, who released three albums in their home country during the 1980s and 1990s. They broke up in 1991, before reuniting and releasing a live album in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kik Tracee</span> American hard rock band

Kik Tracee was a 1990s hard rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1988, during the last years of the glam metal movement, before the influx of grunge and alternative rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony J. Mifsud</span> Maltese-born Canadian actor, singer, and songwriter

Anthony J. Mifsud is a Maltese-born Canadian actor, singer and songwriter. He performs professionally under the moniker Mif.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob De Luca</span> American musician

Rob De Luca is an American bassist and vocalist, best known for playing in UFO and as a founding member of Spread Eagle. He has also toured with Sebastian Bach, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Of Earth and Helmet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spread Eagle (band)</span> American hard rock band

Spread Eagle is an American hard rock band from New York City, formed in 1989. After only a few months of formation, they were signed by MCA/Universal Records. They have released three albums: Spread Eagle (1990), Open to the Public (1993) and Subway to the Stars (2019).

Nasty Idols were a Swedish glam metal, hard rock band from Malmö, Sweden, which was formed in 1987. After the band split in 1995 they reformed in 2006. Since then the band has released a fifth studio album Boy's town and a sixth album Kalifornia. Band frontman Andy Pierce died in 2013.

<i>Back from the Dead</i> (Adler album) 2012 studio album by Adler

Back from the Dead is the only studio album by Adler, released on November 26, 2012 on New Ocean Media. The album's release was preceded by the single "The One That You Hated", which was released on April 10, 2012 via iTunes. It is the first album that Steven Adler has been completely involved with after he left Guns N' Roses, and the first full-length album he has played all drum tracks on since Appetite for Destruction. The album was recorded from January 2012 to April 2012 in Los Angeles, California with producer Jeff Pilson and mixed by Jay Ruston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slash Puppet</span>

Slash Puppet were a Canadian hard rock band that debuted in Toronto in 1989. The group originally consisted of lead vocalist Mif, guitarists Lou Garscadden and Frank Bartoletti, bassist Pete Dove and drummer Franklin Wyles. In 1992 Dave Carreiro joined the band taking over as bassist. The band released three records and received awards for Best Toronto Club Band and Best Independent Music Video before disbanding in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The New Roses</span> German band

The New Roses is a rock band from Wiesbaden, Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Fortier</span> American musician (born 1987)

Andrew Lawrence Fortier is an American musician, guitarist, filmmaker, actor, and author. He is best known for his work with The Lucid; which he cofounded alongside Vinnie Dombroski (Sponge), David Ellefson, and Mike Heller. He was guitarist for the now late Chuck Mosley. He has directed and edited the documentary Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie as well as the David Ellefson produced horror film Dwellers which Fortier also wrote and stars in. He is the author of Dark, Depressing, and Hilarious which is an autobiography on his career thus far.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Shareaux</span> American singer-songwriter

Stephen Shareaux is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known as lead vocalist for the hard rock band Kik Tracee. He is a solo artist as well as lead vocalist and co-founder of alternative rock band Zen From Mars which includes members of Bang Tango, Enuff Z'Nuff, Flipp, and Fear Factory.

Salty Dog was an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1986 by former Max Havoc guitarist Scott Lane, bassist Michael Hannon, and drummer Khurt Maier who also played on Max Havoc's 1983 album. Later, they were joined by lead singer Jimmi Bleacher. The band was managed by Vicky Hamilton, who also managed Poison, Faster Pussycat, and Guns N' Roses.

<i>Dwellers</i> (film) Upcoming film by Drew Fortier

Dwellers is an American found footage horror film written by, directed by, and starring Drew Fortier. The plot of the film follows a documentary crew who eventually go missing while uncovering the truths behind the disappearances within a homeless community. The film stars Drew Fortier, James L. Edwards, and Douglas Esper as themselves.

References

  1. ↑ "BANG TANGO Documentary: First 'Theatrical' Trailer Released". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  2. ↑ Lucchese, J Cooch. "Dee Narrates Bang Tango Documentary". www.deesnider.com. Archived from the original on 2018-03-15. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
  3. ↑ "Dee Snider To Narrate 'Attack Of Life: The Bang Tango Movie' - Screamer Magazine". Screamer Magazine. 2013-06-04. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  4. ↑ "Bang Tango Movie trailer featuring voice narration by Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider set for summer 2014 release". Metal Sludge. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
  5. 1 2 "WELCOME TO THE AMERICAN UNDERGROUND (Pt.8) Chris Taylor talks with Drew Fortier, musician and film maker". HeadBangers Lifestyle. 2016-09-10. Archived from the original on 2018-07-09. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  6. ↑ "Attack Of Life: The Bang Tango Movie - The New Noise". The New Noise. 2013-07-27. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  7. ↑ "ATTACK OF LIFE: Drew Fortier On Bringing The Bang Tango Movie To Life!". Icon vs. Icon. 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
  8. ↑ "Attack Of Life: The BANG TANGO Movie Streaming For Free". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
  9. ↑ "KNAC.COM - News - BANG TANGO Documentary Movie Now Streaming Free". www.knac.com. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  10. ↑ "Queensryche at DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, MI on 28-Aug-2014 - National Rock Review". www.nationalrockreview.com. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  11. 1 2 "Bang Tango movie creator Drew Fortier explains film ending that Joe Lesté dislikes – Sleaze Roxx". sleazeroxx.com. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  12. ↑ "Drew Fortier of Bang Tango Interview – Sleaze Roxx". sleazeroxx.com. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  13. ↑ "BANG TANGO - Band Members To Attend Screening Of The Bang Tango Movie". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
  14. ↑ "BANG TANGO Moviemaker Joins Band As Second Guitarist". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
  15. ↑ "Bang Tango documentary creator Drew Fortier releases movie for free viewing – Sleaze Roxx". sleazeroxx.com. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
  16. ↑ "Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie (2015)". YouTube . 29 October 2015.
  17. ↑ "Mark Knight (ex-Bang Tango) Interview – Sleaze Roxx". sleazeroxx.com. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  18. ↑ "Attack Of Life: The Bang Tango Movie – Mark Knight – 1987-1995". Blastzone Mike's Live Show/blastzone Online. 2015-05-08. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  19. ↑ "Bang Tango - The Movie". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  20. ↑ Callwood, Brett (2017-01-16). "Underrated '80s Rockers Bang Tango Return to the Sunset Strip". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  21. ↑ "Singer Joe Lesté does not like ending to Bang Tango movie documentary – Sleaze Roxx". sleazeroxx.com. 16 January 2017. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  22. ↑ ""Attack Of Life – The Bang Tango Movie"". Metal Sludge. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  23. ↑ "Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie Tells the Story of an Unappreciated Classic Band! - ZRockR Magazine". zrockr.com. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  24. ↑ E, Gaz. "Dead End Drive-In: Now Showing - 'Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie'". Über Röck-Kick Ass Rock N Roll. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  25. ↑ "Is the music loud enough ?: Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie (2015)". Is the music loud enough ?. 2016-02-01. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  26. ↑ Johnson, Kahn (2016-02-13). "Unsalted Popcorn: Attack Of Life: The Bang Tango Movie". Unsalted Popcorn. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
  27. ↑ "The Rock Pit - Hard rock, Metal and Blues Interviews, news & reviews from Australia and around the world". www.therockpit.net. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  28. ↑ "Movie Review - Attack Of Life - The Bang Tango Movie - A Drew Fortier Film | Legendary Rock Interviews". Legendary Rock Interviews. 2015-05-28. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  29. ↑ "Bang Tango Documentary What a Long FUN Trip". www.heavymetalicu.com. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  30. ↑ "Bang Tango | Rock Out with Your Doc Out | Podaholics". Podaholics. 2018-05-08. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.