XHonusWagnerX
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another interview with Ian about the Slapshot film
www.lonelyreviewer.com/2009/04/22/iifboston-interview-ian-mc...
IIFBoston Interview: Ian McFarland
April 22, 2009
In 1985, Slapshot formed in Boston, Massachusetts. Before even performing live, the anticipation for the band was high. One writer said they were a
“great live act,” before they ever stepped foot on a stage. The group’s origins come from Boston’s hardcore scene, but the band never stayed within
those lines, choosing to lead rather than follow.
“Chip on My Shoulder: The History of Slapshot,” follows the band over their thirty year history, and features rare footage and in-depth interviews
with band members. I had the chance to talk with co-director Ian McFarland about the film.
LR: What made you want to make the movie?
IM: The idea for the film about when my band (Blood for Blood) was on a three week European tour in 2004. We were sharing a bus with Slapshot, so
naturally that makes you either become really close or puts you at odds with each other . Luckily in this case, we all hit it off immediately. We were
constantly laughing—it was definitely one of the tours that I have had the most fun on. I can’t speak for the other guys In my band, but I can say
that for me the experience of touring with a band with so much history and that has had so much influence on a subculture was surreal. At the time I
was starting to do a lot of documentary and music video work and I was looking for stories to tell. One night I was having a dinner with Chris Lauria
(Slapshot, bassist) and he was telling me some really amazing stories about the band and their history when it just hit me that no one had done
anything with them before. And in talking with Chris more I realized how interesting their past is. I mean Chris, Mark and the original guitarist
Steve Risteen went to Jr. High together and got into hardcore all at the same time. They used to go see Choke’s (Slapshot singer) other bands before
Slapshot (Last Rights, Negative FX) when they were literally young teenagers. That was in the early 1980’s; now almost 30 years later they are still
friends and doing basically the same things. You don’t see that much these days.
LR: Were you a Slapshot fan?
IM: The first time I heard them was when I was in 14 years old and my friend Chris Moorse demanded that I hear this band that he had just gotten into.
The second I heard the first note, I was hooked. There was something raw and fresh about the band that I had not heard up to that point.
LR: What did the band think about your idea? Were they immediately into it? Did you have to convince them?
IM: From the start I wanted to do a documentary film rather than a fan DVD that only the fans would appreciate. I thought that the band had this
interesting story that would appeal to a much broader audience if presented in the right way. When I approached the band about the idea they really
didn’t think that their story was very interesting and they didn’t think that anyone would want to hear about it. Regardless, they agreed to let me
give it a shot and I began work on the project. I think that once we did the first round of interviews with them they quickly realized that I was not
out to tell just the history of the band but rather was interested in looking at the opposing personalities of drummer Mark McKay and singer Jack
“Choke” Kelly over their 30 year history. I think that they all got really nervous at that point because they realized that this was going to expose
their personal sides. Never the less they went along with it.
LR: Can you talk a little bit about the search for archival material?
IM: It sucks, it sucks, it sucks….. I don’ t know what else to say.
LR: Was there one thing that you were surprised to find?
IM: The thing that suprised me the most was that these guys just really don’t take the band seriously and never have. I mean yes, the band started
with a mission to put the Boston scene back on the map but that was as far as it went. I don’t think that they ever dreamed that they would be
together 30 years later, let alone still be close friends. And in looking at the footage of when they were teenagers and being around them today, they
really have not changed to much.
LR: Are there any surprises for Slapshot fans in the movie?
IM: Yes, Choke (the singer) gets really really personal in his interview. The other guys in the band couldn’t even beleive it when they saw the final
cut!
LR: What do you want viewers to take away from this film?
IM: A better understanding for what it is like to be in a band and what it can do to a soul over time. It is more than just parties and music.
“Chip,” screens Friday, April 24th at the Brattle theater. Both McFrarland and co-director Anthony Moreschi will be in attendance. Slapshot is also
scheduled to appear.
| Quote: | Originally posted by REV.PAULIE
HONUS-as much as i can't stand a great deal of what you really like (for my own reasons that i would never hold,nor impose,against you),YOU FUCKING
RULE!
YOU,HONUS,IS WHAT MAKES THE "EDGE" COOL.
YOUR FRIEND,
PAULIE |
check out my post contributions at www.VinylNoize.com
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CR83
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Jesus this is cool
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necrobutcher
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I'm probably jumping the gun on this but are there plans for a DVD release down the road?
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XHonusWagnerX
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| Quote: | Originally posted by necrobutcher
I'm probably jumping the gun on this but are there plans for a DVD release down the road? |
not jumping the gun at all. There is DEFINITLY a DVD coming. I don't know when, but I dont think it will be that far off. Taang! is putting it out and
all the info about it will be at www.ChipOnMyShoulderFilm.com and www.Myspace.com/ChipOnMyShoulderFilm
| Quote: | Originally posted by REV.PAULIE
HONUS-as much as i can't stand a great deal of what you really like (for my own reasons that i would never hold,nor impose,against you),YOU FUCKING
RULE!
YOU,HONUS,IS WHAT MAKES THE "EDGE" COOL.
YOUR FRIEND,
PAULIE |
check out my post contributions at www.VinylNoize.com
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Discipline
* DRUNKEN MONKEY *
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Sometimes my expectations have far exceeded what I've gotten in the past, be it dvds, cd's, etc. I don't think that's going to happen this time. I
think this dvd is going to be amazing and something I watch over and over again.
‘Do you know what a love letter is? It’s a bullet from a fucking gun. Straight through your heart.’
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Mark Lind
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I like to imagine that Ian did that interview making eye contact with the camera and dramatically speaking to the members of Slapshot like he did in
that cheeseball interview he did about my brother.
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ShawnRefuse
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premiere tomorrow, you going to be there Josh?
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XHonusWagnerX
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ShawnRefuse
premiere tomorrow, you going to be there Josh? |
HELL YEAH!
its going to be pretty awesome... I think that Jon Anastas (DYS/Slapshot) is coming and I think that Curtis (Taang!) is coming as well as the past &
present Slapshot & crew.
| Quote: | Originally posted by REV.PAULIE
HONUS-as much as i can't stand a great deal of what you really like (for my own reasons that i would never hold,nor impose,against you),YOU FUCKING
RULE!
YOU,HONUS,IS WHAT MAKES THE "EDGE" COOL.
YOUR FRIEND,
PAULIE |
check out my post contributions at www.VinylNoize.com
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ShawnRefuse
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nice. see you there, unless your with the too cool to hang crowd 
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BDx13
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josh, you taking a bag full of OG slapshot shit for them to sign?
If I fail math, there goes my chance at a good job and a happy life full of hard work.
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Discipline
* DRUNKEN MONKEY *
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BD
josh, you taking a bag full of OG slapshot shit for them to sign? |
He'd have to hire armed security guards to escort him.
‘Do you know what a love letter is? It’s a bullet from a fucking gun. Straight through your heart.’
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MarkV
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| Quote: | Originally posted by necrobutcher
I'm probably jumping the gun on this but are there plans for a DVD release down the road? |
I think the main intention was that it was going to be a DVD release.
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XHonusWagnerX
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BD
josh, you taking a bag full of OG slapshot shit for them to sign? |
actually I do need Steve Risteen to sign BACK ON THE MAP, STEP ON IT and SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME and I need ED LALLI to sign DIGITAL WARFARE and TEAR IT
DOWN.
I need Jamie Schirapa to sign SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME, but he cant make it to the film tomorrow.
I might bring that stuff, but I'm not sure.
I actually sent some LPs to Jon Anastas awhile ago and he signed them and sent them back which was awesome. I didnt think I would ever get to meet
him.
Dave Smalley does the naration, but he cant make it either (bummer!)
| Quote: | Originally posted by REV.PAULIE
HONUS-as much as i can't stand a great deal of what you really like (for my own reasons that i would never hold,nor impose,against you),YOU FUCKING
RULE!
YOU,HONUS,IS WHAT MAKES THE "EDGE" COOL.
YOUR FRIEND,
PAULIE |
check out my post contributions at www.VinylNoize.com
|
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