Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit

Last updated
Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit
Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit poster.jpg
Directed byTom Lehrer Tom Nahas
Written by
Produced byChris Fuller
Starring
CinematographyTom Lehrer
Edited byTom Nahas
Music by Electric Six
Production
company
Mad Habit Creative
Release date
  • July 14, 2016 (2016-07-14)(home media)
Running time
85 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$63,243

Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit is an American mockumentary film starring members of the rock band Electric Six as fictional versions of themselves. The film was written by lead singer Dick Valentine and was crowd-sourced through a Kickstarter campaign. [1]

Contents

Cast

Production

The project was originally pitched on Kickstarter as a spoof 45-minute pilot for a documentary TV series following fictionalised backstories and exploits of the members of the band. [2]

A $30,000 goal was set which was soon reached and surpassed. A total of $63,243 was raised by the end of the campaign. [3]

The mockumentary features cameos from some backers of the project on Kickstarter who pledged to be given a role in the film.

During the edit, it was decided to alter production and produce a feature-film mockumentary with the footage instead. The finished product runs for 85 minutes.

The project was distributed to its backers on the 14th of July 2016. A public screening was held at the Main Art Theatre in Detroit on the 8th of September 2016 [4] and it was subsequently accepted into the Royal Starr Film Festival and screened publicly on the 15th of October 2016. [5]

As with previous Kickstarter campaigns run by the band, the option was given to pledge money in exchange for choosing a song that the band would cover to potentially appear in the film and to feature on the soundtrack. None of these made their way into the final cut but are all present on the soundtrack. [6]

Soundtrack album

The film's soundtrack album was released on CD and digital download to the project's Kickstarter pledgers. It is the band's thirteenth studio album, comprising four original songs, three covers and two remixes of the band's songs.

Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit
Soundtrack album by
Electric Six
ReleasedJuly 14, 2016 (2016-07-14)
Genre Rock
Label self-released
Producer John Nash
Electric Six chronology
Bitch, Don't Let Me Die!
(2015)
Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit
(2016)
Fresh Blood for Tired Vampyres
(2016)
Soundtrack
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Compensation [7] "John Nash and Tyler Spencer2:08
2."All Night Long" (Originally recorded by Rainbow) Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover 3:56
3."An Omen of Things to Come"John Nash, Tyler Spencer and Christopher Tait 3:42
4."Obsession" (Originally recorded by Animotion) Holly Knight and Michael Des Barres 4:30
5."Night Vision Dubai Bros. Remix" (Dubai Bros. remix of "Night Vision" from Switzerland )Tyler Spencer3:38
6."I Upgraded To You"John Nash, Tyler Spencer and Christopher Tait3:32
7."Shrink the Bastards"Tyler Spencer2:04
8."Lottery Reptiles Tropicalia Mix" (Remix of the song "Lottery Reptiles" from Fresh Blood for Tired Vampyres )John Nash and Tyler Spencer3:23
9."When the Lights Go Out" (Originally recorded by Oingo Boingo) Danny Elfman 3:42

The covers and remixes do not appear in the film despite being present on the album. Conversely, the film makes use of the songs "Dance Commander", "Night Vision", "Infected Girls", "Down at McDonnelzzz", "Gay Bar Part Two", "Eye Contact", "I'm the Devil", "Kids Are Evil", "Roulette!" and "Dime, Dime, Penny Dime" from previous Electric Six albums with none of them appearing on the soundtrack. [8]

Personnel

Dick Valentine Raw Collection

One of the rewards offered as part of the project's Kickstarter campaign was the Dick Valentine Raw Collection, a compilation album of demos and other pieces produced by Electric Six frontman Dick Valentine.

Raw Collection
Compilation album by
Dick Valentine
ReleasedJuly 14, 2016 (2016-07-14)
Genre Rock
Label Self-released
Producer Dick Valentine
Dick Valentine chronology
Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit
(2016)
Raw Collection
(2016)
Robocalls
(2017)

All tracks written by Tyler Spencer. [10]

Raw Collection
No.TitleLength
1."Classon Ave. Robots" (Demo of the track featured on Covered in Gas) 
2."Digital Jackass" 
3."Hello! I See You" (Demo of the track featured on Heartbeats and Brainwaves) 
4."I Belong In a Factory" (Demo of the track featured on Kill) 
5."I Can Translate" (Demo of the track featured on the deluxe edition of Zodiac) 
6."I'm Not Scared of Flying Saucers" (Demo of the track featured on Covered in Gas) 
7."Laughing Gas" 
8."Making Progress" (Demo of the track featured on Flashy) 
9."Miami" 
10."Rubbing Me the Wrong Way" (Demo of the track featured on Kill) 
11."Suitcases" (Demo of the track featured on Mimicry and Memories) 
12."Synth 2" 
13."Theme From Garage Band (Test 1)" 
14."Tonight Should Have Never Been Tonight (Test 3)" 
15."Waste of Time and Money" (Demo of the track featured on Kill) 
16."Zora and Nora" (Demo of the track featured on Covered in Gas) 

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Taylor</span> American singer

Roland Stephen Taylor is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, music executive, film maker, assistant professor, and actor. A figure in what has come to be known as Christian alternative rock, Taylor enjoyed a successful solo career during the 1980s, and also served in the short-lived group Chagall Guevara. In contrast to many Christian musical artists, his songs have often taken aim at Christian hypocrisy or "error" with the use of satirical, sardonic lyrics. In 1997, he founded the record label Squint Entertainment, which fueled the careers of artists such as Sixpence None the Richer, Chevelle, and Burlap to Cashmere. Despite this success, Taylor was ousted from the label by its parent, Word Entertainment, in 2001. He has produced and written for numerous musical acts, one of the most consistent being Newsboys. As a film-maker, Taylor co-wrote, directed, and produced the feature films Down Under the Big Top, The Second Chance, and Blue Like Jazz. After a decade and a half of hiatus, Taylor returned to performing music in 2010 as the front-man for Steve Taylor & The Perfect Foil, a supergroup he founded with Peter Furler, Jimmy Abegg, and John Mark Painter. Along with a university residency and continued filmmaking, Taylor would resume work on unfinished Chagall Guevara material into the 2020s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric Six</span> American rock band

Electric Six is an American rock band formed in Detroit in 1996. They are known for combining elements of comedy rock, disco, garage rock, metal, new wave, and punk rock. Since achieving widespread recognition in 2003 with the singles "Danger! High Voltage" and "Gay Bar", they have released 15 studio albums, two rarities albums, one live album and one live DVD. Each band member is given a unique stage name; the line-up has undergone changes over the years; co-founder, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter Dick Valentine has been the only constant member. The current line-up consists of Valentine, lead guitarist Johnny Na$hinal, keyboardist Tait Nucleus?, rhythm guitarist Herb S. Flavourings, drummer Dr. J and bassist Smorgasbord.

<i>Señor Smoke</i> 2005 studio album by Electric Six

Señor Smoke (2005) is the second album from Electric Six, following Fire in 2003. It was released in the UK February 14, 2005 by Warner Music imprint Rushmore Records. Due to complications with Electric Six's former record label, Rushmore did not release the album in North America. In December 2005, the band announced a new partnership with Metropolis Records that resulted in Señor Smoke's North American release on February 7, 2006.

<i>Electric Apricot: Quest for Festeroo</i> Film

Electric Apricot: Quest For Festeroo is a mockumentary film by Primus lead-man Les Claypool, featuring himself as well as others using pseudonyms. The band Electric Apricot played occasional shows in 2004 and 2005, unannounced, in the California area for footage. The Electric Apricot also made an appearance at the SXSW music festival in Austin, TX in 2007. The movie has been screened at film festivals internationally, including the Bonnaroo Music Festival and The Raindance Festival in London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Electric Flag</span> American blues rock band

The Electric Flag was an American blues/rock/soul band from Chicago, led by guitarist Mike Bloomfield, keyboardist Barry Goldberg and drummer Buddy Miles, and featuring other musicians such as vocalist Nick Gravenites and bassist Harvey Brooks. Bloomfield formed the Electric Flag in 1967, following his stint with the Butterfield Blues Band. The band reached its peak with the 1968 release, A Long Time Comin', a fusion of rock, jazz, and R&B styles that charted well in the Billboard Pop Albums chart. Their initial recording was a soundtrack for The Trip, a movie about an LSD experience by Peter Fonda, written by Jack Nicholson and directed by Roger Corman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muruga Booker</span> American musician

Steven Bookvich known as Muruga Booker is an American drummer, composer, inventor, artist, recording artist, and an autonomous Eastern Orthodox priest.

This article catalogues the releases of the American band Electric Six.

<i>Switzerland</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Electric Six

Switzerland is the title of the third album by Detroit rock band Electric Six.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Needle in the Hay</span> 1995 single by Elliott Smith

"Needle in the Hay" is a song released in 1995 by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. It was the sole single from his second studio album, Elliott Smith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Scary</span> American musician

Bryan Scary is an American musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Spencer</span> American singer

Tyler Spencer, also known as Dick Valentine, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and author. He is best known as the lead vocalist, main lyricist, and co-founder of the rock band Electric Six.

<i>Kill</i> (Electric Six album) 2009 studio album by Electric Six

Kill is the sixth album by Detroit rock band Electric Six, which was released in October 2009.

<i>Flashy</i> 2008 studio album by Electric Six

Flashy is the fifth album by Detroit rock band Electric Six, released on October 21, 2008, through Metropolis Records.

<i>Zodiac</i> (Electric Six album) 2010 studio album by Electric Six

Zodiac is the seventh studio album by electronic rock band Electric Six. It was released in 2010 on Metropolis Records.

<i>Heartbeats and Brainwaves</i> 2011 studio album by Electric Six

Heartbeats and Brainwaves is the eighth album by Detroit rock band Electric Six. It was released on October 11, 2011. It was released as a CD, digital download and a colored double vinyl set which is sold at the band's live shows.

<i>Absolute Pleasure</i> 2014 American film

Absolute Pleasure is a live album by Detroit rock band Electric Six. It is composed of recordings from shows at both First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Double Door in Chicago, Illinois.

<i>Bitch, Dont Let Me Die!</i> 2015 studio album by Electric Six

Bitch, Don't Let Me Die! is the twelfth album by Detroit rock band Electric Six and the eleventh in their official canon. It was released on Metropolis Records on October 2, 2015. It is the last album to feature longtime drummer Percussion World before his departure later in the year to join Flogging Molly.

<i>Mimicry and Memories</i> 2015 studio album by Electric Six

Mimicry and Memories is a compilation album by Electric Six. Disc one, Mimicry, is composed of cover songs. Disc two, Memories, consists of demos, B-sides and rarities. It was funded through a Kickstarter campaign and self-released directly to the campaign's backers.

<i>Soulfire</i> (Little Steven album) 2017 studio album by Little Steven

Soulfire is the sixth solo studio album by Little Steven, released on May 19, 2017. It marks his first studio album since 1999's Born Again Savage. The album consists of Van Zandt's versions of songs that he either wrote or co-wrote for other artists and describes it as "me covering me!" In June 2017, Rolling Stone ranked Soulfire number 28 on their list of the "50 Best Albums of 2017 So Far."

<i>How Dare You?</i> (Electric Six album) 2017 studio album by Electric Six

How Dare You? is the sixteenth album by Detroit rock band Electric Six and the thirteenth in their official canon. It was released on October 13, 2017. It is their longest studio album to date. Although this is not technically true as their 2007 album, I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me That Restricts Me from Being the Master, is longer at 50 minutes. A single of the song "Arrive Alive" was released ahead of the album as an incentive to pre-order it.

References

  1. "Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit by Electric Six" . Retrieved 28 Apr 2017.
  2. "Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit by Electric Six" . Retrieved 28 Apr 2017.
  3. "Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit by Electric Six" . Retrieved 28 Apr 2017.
  4. "Main Art Theatre Showtimes" . Retrieved 28 Apr 2017.
  5. "Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit Feature - Mockumentary" . Retrieved 28 Apr 2017.
  6. "Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit by Electric Six" . Retrieved 28 Apr 2017.
  7. "Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit by Electric Six at Discogs". Discogs . 13 July 2016. Retrieved 28 Apr 2017.
  8. "Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit Soundtracks". IMDb . Retrieved 28 Apr 2017.
  9. "Roulette Stars of Metro Detroit". Discogs. 13 July 2016.
  10. "Dick Valentine Raw" . Retrieved 28 Apr 2017.