WRPS Rocks – Scholarship Fundraiser

Movie & Band Performance with The Dogmatics

Event Overview

Rockland High School Auditorium (Air Conditioned!)
Saturday, August 26, 2023
Doors at 6 pm, Movie at 7 pm (90 min), followed by a live band performance
Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 day of event
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See the new award-winning full-length documentary about Boston garage-rockers The Dogmatics, directed by Rockland resident and filmmaker Rudy Childs – followed by a live band performance.

Thanks to everyone who attended or donated!

The Cause

This unique evening event is a fundraiser for the WRPS Scholarship Fund. The annual scholarships recognize Rockland High School graduates who volunteer with WRPS TV and 88.3 FM in radio, television, and/or lighting, sound, and video for theater and events. In 2023, the scholarship distributed over $4,000 among five students who applied.

The Film

Rockland resident and filmmaker Rudy Childs has directed multiple films. His latest full-length documentary is “The Dogmatics: A Dogumentary – They were Boston’s house band.” Six 2023 international film festivals have already selected the documentary. Berkeley Springs Film Festival (US) awarded it Best Editing. Most recently, Brighton Rocks International Film Festival (UK) selected it as an Honorable Mention.

The Band

Formed in 1981 and still writing and performing new music today, The Dogmatics is a Boston-based band known for their pioneering garage punk/rockabilly sound. They released two albums in the 1980s and toured with renowned acts such as The Bangles, The Fleshtones, The Replacements, and Beastie Boys. Multiple bands, including The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, have covered their songs.

After the tragic loss of bassist Paul O’Halloran in 1986, they disbanded for quite some time. They never lost their friendship or love for playing together and would occasionally regroup for charity events in the following years.

In 2019, they teamed up with Rum Bar Records to record their first new material in over 30 years with the release of their EP “She’s The One.” The new tracks delighted long-time fans and newcomers alike. Despite the disruption of the pandemic, they kept up their momentum and released their latest EP, “Drop That Needle,” in 2022.