UPDATE: Due to the natural disaster in Asheville, this event is cancelled.

Grail Movie House was gutted by the recent devastating floods. Once the long and slow process of recovery begins in our community, I’ll post any and all relevant news about fundraising/relief efforts. For now, please keep Western NC in your thoughts. If you want to do more, donate to reputable agencies (and — speaking for myself only — preferably non-religious one, please) agencies who are trying to help here.

A new documentary chronicles the story of obscure yet influential ‘60s rock band The Sonics. BOOM! A Film About the Sonics is the selection for the next installment in the Music Movie Mondays series at Grail Movie House, hosted by Asheville author and music journalist Bill Kopp. BOOM! screens one night only: Monday, October 14.

In the 1960s, The Sonics were part of the rough and hard-edged rock scene of the United States’ Pacific Northwest. Along with a handful of other bands, The Sonics served up some of the nastiest, most aggressive rock of the era. The Pacific Northwest was, in those days, still somewhat isolated from the rest of the country, so the scene didn’t extend far and wide.

But the music that The Sonics made might not have quite caught on nationally anyway; it was arguably too raw for the masses, presaging punk by a good few years. The Tacoma-based band would release three albums between 1965 and 1967, but their influence can be felt and heard in many bands who followed in their wake. The band’s 1965 single “Strychnine” was immortalized on the landmark Nuggets compilation in the early ‘70s, and later-day compilations have preserved their work for discerning fans, but the group’s music has largely remained an underground sensation.

That could well change with the release of BOOM! A Film About the Sonics. Drawing upon archival footage and audio, interviews with bad members and those influenced by the group, BOOM! tells the band’s story for modern-day audiences.

A special October 14 screening as part of the Music Movie Mondays series at Grail Movie House will be hosted by Asheville author and music journalist Bill Kopp. For one night only – Monday, October 14 @ 7 pm – Music Movie Mondays will present BOOM! A Film About the Sonics. The program will feature a brief introduction. Then we’ll watch the film together; afterward, we’ll engage in a moderated discussion.

The one-night-only screening of BOOM! A Film About the Sonics is the latest in the ongoing popular series of Music Movie Mondays at Grail Moviehouse. Every month, we’ll watch and discuss new releases, classics and cult favorites. Music Movie Monday is proudly sponsored by AshevilleFM.

WHAT: Music Movie Mondays Series: BOOM! A Film About the Sonics
Special screening + moderated discussion hosted by Bill Kopp
WHERE: Grail Moviehouse, 17 Foundy Street, Asheville
WHEN: Monday, October 14 @ 7 p.m. / Tickets are $15 and likely to sell out!