BOOM. A Film About The Sonics - a multi-award-winning documentary, as bold and badass as the band it talks about, makes its greek premiere at Gimme Shelter Film Festival on Monday - November 5, at Gagarin 205 - Athens.
The director of the film, Jordan Albertsen, answers the questions of Nikos Chinaris and prepares us properly for the screening of the film about the history of The Sonics - from their founding and early disbandment as their completely unexpected reunion, which offered us unique concert moments!
Live act on stage: The Acid Visions.
RockOverdose: Greetings Jordan and congratulations on your film. What are you up to these days?
Jordan Albertsen: Raising two boys with my wife. Getting Boom ready for it’s world-wide release next year. And I’m currently writing what will hopefully become the next film.
RockOverdose: Looking at the IMDB page for “BOOM!” we can see that it got 7 wins and 7 award nominations. Are you happy with the reception of the film?
Jordan Albertsen: Yeah the reception has been crazy. I really didn’t have any expectations when I was making it. So when it started playing all over the world and winning awards, it was pretty shocking and humbling.
RockOverdose: One question I like to ask people like you who followed a certain band/artist for a period of time and even worked on producing media about them is: Do you separate the artist from art? Does an artist’s character and actions change the value of the piece of art that they created?
Jordan Albertsen: The music is the music. And getting to know the band didn’t effect or change my love and admiration for that.
RockOverdose: We often hear statements like: “Best symphonic metal bands come from Scandinavia”, here in Greece a lot of Stoner Rock bands came out in recent years similar to San Francisco and Thrash Metal in the 80’s. To what extent do you believe that certain regions and socioeconomic factors favor the growth of specific styles and genres in music?
Jordan Albertsen: There are so many contributing factors that go into the storm for a music scene to form. Socioeconomics are always a part of that. With this film being so centered in the music of the Pacific Northwest, one of the things that kept being brough up in interviews was the shitty weather and how it forced all the kids into the basements and garages. Hense, garage rock. Also, The Sonics aren’t from Seattle, they’re a Tacoma band. Tacoma is more blue collar, and a lot tougher then it’s sister city. All of that played a part in the sound I’m sure.
RockOverdose: Streaming platforms helped bands spread their sound through the globe. At the same time people often feel overwhelmed by the number of releases and some tend to get lost among the numbers. Do you feel the overall contribution of streaming is positive or negative to the average band?
Jordan Albertsen: I don’t know that I’m the right person for that question. I’m a vinyl guy. I only stream when I’m in a car or walking my dog. The one thing streaming has done is givin complete access to everyone. Which is cool in a way, but also nobody has to really earn it you know? I remember when an album was going to come out that I was excited about it was such an event. I’d be stoked for weeks, then run to the record store and buy the CD and listen to it obsessively. That whole part of it is just gone. So that value and excitement seems to have died. And I miss that. This new generation is just allowed access to everything without ever having to earn it. So I think the value of music feels less important to the younger generation. And that must make it really hard for up and coming bands.
RockOverdose: Not wanting to spoil part of the film but we see how the actions and commitment of Buck helped The Sonics skyrocket even when the members of the band didn’t believe in themselves. Do you believe one man can make the difference in today’s world?
Jordan Albertsen: Absolutely!
RockOverdose: In the film we can see you attending a Metallica concert. Did you have fun? Which was your best live experience?
Jordan Albertsen: Fuck yeah I had fun. Metallica with my dad was a blast. Him and I went to a ton of concerts together and it was always incredible. Some of the highlights would surely be The Stones, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Them Crooked Vultures.
RockOverdose: We see styles coming back like Psychedelic Rock, Garage Rock and even Surf. Why do you think that is? Is it because today’s music is lacking something and we tend to look back or we’re now coming in touch with that side of music history?
Jordan Albertsen: I just think those classic styles come and go. It just takes a new artist to be inspired by an older artist and there you go! Maybe some kids will hear the Sonics this year and go start a garage band.
RockOverdose: Why the Sonics? Did you choose this band to make a documentary about simply because no one has ever done it before or was it something else that drove you? What do you want people to take away with them after watching this film?
Jordan Albertsen: It was really that show that my dad and I went to in 2008. The first local Northwest Sonics reunion gig. It was such an amazing night. And I just kept thinking to myself “More people need to know about this band”. That night, I decided I was going to make the film. Hell or high water, I was going to do it. I had no idea it would take 15 years.
RockOverdose: The last statement goes to you. Thank you so much for your time and I can’t wait for the screening at Gagarin 205.
Jordan Albertsen: Thanks so much!
For RockOverdose,
Nick Chinaris
GSFF_Boom_Trailer from GSFF on Vimeo.
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