"Shaken Daddy Syndrome" Premiering This Weekend

Filmmaker and Kalamazoo native Kevin Park will be premiering his film, "Shaken Daddy Syndrome" tonight, soundtrack of which is comprised exclusively of selections by local bands. With songs by MESA, Nobody's Favorite, Chris Voss, Blue Dahlia, Ghosts of the Great Lakes, REA, Aaron Young and his Night Jars, and more, this film show cases some great music from the Kalamazoo scene's past and present.
     In an interview, writer/ director Park, who has been filming area bands for years, described the film to me as "a father/son Odd Couple." The story is about Wayne and Tristan Banks, an estranged father and son. "After years of not caring, [Wayne and Tristan] finally come to amends when the father, Wayne, disowns Tristan, hoping to never see him again.  Within days, Wayne is kicked out by his wife and is forced to move in with Tristan and his roommates," Park explained.
     With the hilarious and bizarre premise, a "deadbeat sister" and "overly religious mother" thrown into the mix, and considering Park's admiration of classic comedic genius (he cites Mel Brooks, Bobcat Goldthwait, and John Candy as influences) you're sure to get plenty of laughs. But, you'll get a good dose of great local music, hand-picked by someone who really knows his stuff: Park has been active in the Kalamazoo scene for long enough to know exactly who's who on the scene, both then and now. "When I turned 21," he says, "I would say [my friend] Chad Houts and I were at the old Harvey's six nights out of the week seeing live shows. Most of the music in the movie is of older bands that may not exist anymore, but their albums are always near the player and I never grow tired of them." Classics from now-defunct bands like MESA, Nobody's Favorite and others, aside more current tunes from Ghosts of the Great Lakes' first album "The Death of the Party," and others exhibit Parks' eclectic taste. Park also digs King Tammy, Lint, Lo Fi Scorpio, Their Teeth Will Be of Lions and Fiona Dickinson.
     The film was partially shot in Kalamazoo, but the music selections were about more than just local color. "The music in the movie is half the movie. You take away these songs and you're left with a shell." Park says. "The movie is still good, but the music is the soul of the film.


     It's premiering tonight (5/22/10) at the Riviera Theatre in Three Rivers, and will begin playing tomorrow night at the Rave in downtown Kalamazoo (visit the Official Press Page, or ShakenDaddySyndrome.com for more info) but expect to see Park around the scene in the future: "I would love to do music videos. That would be a dream job. There's so much talent around here, not just with the bands, but with artists and designers that could go into making killer videos."
     But Park is about more than just filmmaking; his history in the scene gives him valuable insight that I think we can all learn from: "We could be doing a lot more for the artists and arts in town if we were working together more. When I say that I mean the artists working with other artists, not this humdrum Art Hop and events like that where the city makes it look like we're doing more than what we really are. We should have Art Hop crowds for all arts all the time, not just one day a month."
     Well, you heard the man.
     See you out there this weekend.

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Shaken Daddy Syndrome is presented by Campaign Pictures, LLC.