FOUR STARS!

While the review from the Providence Journal will be in print tomorrow, you can get a sneak peek on the paper's website.

REVIEW

"Four Stars...a free-spirited romp that makes one want to get up and dance and buy a ticket to Neutral Nation’s next reunion show. It’s a blast."

FOX News in Boston!

In the News: the Providence Journal

Rick Massimo over at the Providence Journal wrote a great and flattering piece about the band and the film.

Here's an excerpt:

And while Neutral Nation strikes one as the same kind of only-in-Rhode-Island story that makes a perfect fit with subject matter such as Rocky Point, Bettencourt says it goes deeper than that: “I saw an interesting story line in the birth of that whole live music scene in Providence in the ’80s and ’90s, and the band themselves. They’re such nice guys, and they have a unique history. … They were the kings of the Providence scene when the Providence scene was word of mouth. It was flyers on poles.”

You can read the entire thing by clicking this link.

Counting down the days....

Posters are in!

It's a Bash! on the cover of Motif Magazine

There's an article about "It's a Bash!" inside the most recent issue of Motif Magazine - and Neutral Nation are on the cover as well. You can download a pdf of the issue at the link below:

http://motifmagazine.net/

10 days until the big Lupo's screening/show! We can't wait to get this thing out there!

Neutral Nation live CD to be released in conjunction with Film Premiere at Lupo's

Here's a press release from our friends over at Big Noise. A great CD for a great cause - and you can get a copy of your own at the big "It's a Bash!" bash at Lupo's on April 30. - Kevin

Big Noise is proud to announce the release of ‘Neutral Nation Live At
Bandwagon,’ the seminal punk band’s performance at the 1986 legendary charity concert that raised thousands of dollars for agencies that aid the hungry and homeless and elevated awareness of the plight of the poor in America.

The live CD’s debut coincides with the release of David Bettencourt’s film documentary of Neutral Nation’s history and triumphs, ‘It’s A Bash!’ Songs from the Neutral Nation's Bandwagon performance will be featured in the film.

The CD will be available for sale at the Film's Premiere on Friday Night, April 30, 2010 at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel, 79 Washington Street in Downtown Providence, RI.

The ‘Neutral Nation Live At Bandwagon’ CD was recorded at at The Living Room in Providence, RI, and features 13 tracks of a rollicking and sonically thunderous set that includes hits like ‘Beat On Your Lover,’ ‘Apathy,’ and ‘Whattayawant.’

You can also purchase the CD now at CD Baby - http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/NeutralNation1

All of the proceeds from the sale of 'Neutral Nation Live at Bandwagon' will be donated to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.


CD Credits:

Produced by Paul Martin and Al Gomes
Engineered by Paul Martin
Additional Live Engineers: Mary Lou Palumbo and Mary Rivera
Stage Manager: Brendan Keefe
CD Release Co-Producer: A. Michelle

Recorded live at The Living Room, Providence, RI
Remastered by Tony Ricci and Al Gomes
at TRIAD Recording Complex, Pawtucket, RI
Digital transfer by Harry Cawthorn

Art Direction and Design by A. Michelle and Al Gomes for Big Noise
Cover Photography by Carl DellaGrotta

Special Thanks to David Bettencourt, Tom Buckland, Neutral Nation, Cynthia Roberge, Jamie Kurtis, Randy and Brian Hien, and Bob Giusti


Bandwagon History:

Inspired by Bob Geldof's Band Aid recording and Live Aid concert, producer and songwriter Al Gomes wanted to put together a similar effort to aid those less fortunate in America. Gomes founded Bandwagon in 1986, along with Jamie Kurtis, and produced the benefit recording 'Three Sides of Hunger,' and two sold-out televised concerts.

Bandwagon went on to win the coveted Jefferson Award from The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Foundation for Recognition of Outstanding Public Service.

Video Extra: PM Magazine Piece on Rhode Island Bandwagon

Here's a piece from the old Rhode Island t.v. staple "PM Magazine" - Neutral Nation Mike Yarworth and Tom Buckland can be seen in this piece on "RI Bandwagon", along with several other people who appear in the upcoming film "It's a Bash!" including Al Gomes, Rash of Stabbings, and Carl Sugarman. My second cousin Steve Smith also appears in this video, and while he's not in "It's a Bash!", I figured I'd mention it (another second cousin of mine, Danny Smith, used to be a correspondent for PM Magazine. It's Rhode Island, what do you want?)

Anyway, enjoy. I should also mention that "It's a Bash!" features some great footage of both Neutral Nation and Rash of Stabbings playing the RI Bandwagon benefit concert.

Here's the press release for the It's a Bash! premiere

Midway Pictures Announces Premiere of Documentary Film "It's a Bash!"

PROVIDENCE, RI -- Midway Pictures, producers of the award-winning documentaries "You Must Be This Tall: The Story of Rocky Point Park" and "On the Lake: Life and Love in a Distant Place", announces the premiere of the documentary film "It's a Bash!" on April 30, 2010 at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, RI.

The new documentary film is an in-depth look at seminal Rhode Island punk rock band Neutral Nation, and, by extension, of the Providence music scene. Neutral Nation were an active band in the music scene throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, releasing records, touring, and playing with other acts such as the Ramones and the Red Hot Chili Peppers before deciding to break up in 1993. The band has since played a series of well-attended and regarded reunion shows in the intervening years. The film explores the reasons behind the band's popularity in Rhode Island, their break-up, and why they subsequently continued to play music together.

"It's a Bash! isn't just about one band.", said David Bettencourt, the film's director. "It also takes a look at the many great people that helped to build a live music scene here in Providence. It's a film about being in a band."

The screening will be followed by a rare Neutral Nation live performance. "When we started the band the three goals were free beer, to meet girls, and be on the cover of The Attleboro Sun Chronicle weekender addition. Mission accomplished, and then some!", said Mike Yarworth, Neutral Nation's vocalist.

Tickets to the premiere and show are on sale now at http://www.lupos.com. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. "It's a Bash!" then plays at the Cable Car Cinema in Providence, RI from May 2 - May 6.

About Midway Pictures

Midway Pictures is an award-winning film production company based in Providence, RI. Midway Pictures productions have aired nationally on PBS stations and have played at several film festivals. Their first production, "You Must Be This Tall: The Story of Rocky Point Park", played to packed houses in 2007 and their second film, "On the Lake: Life and Love in a Distant Place" was nominated for a 2010 Emmy award in the category Best Documentary Film. "It's a Bash!" is their third film, and their first to not have a colon followed by a subtitle.

http://www.neutralnationmovie.com

"It's a Bash!" live!

Courtesy of Stumpy, here's Neutral Nation performing "It's a Bash" live at the Ocean Mist on April 3 at a show to promote the big unveiling of the film of the same name (April 30 at Lupo's!).

Enjoy!

"It's a Bash!" on WICKED LATE

See director David Bettencourt on Brendan Kirby's hilarious late night talk show, WICKED LATE.