Coming in 2023
Status: The film has been submitted to a variety of 2023 film festivals and awaiting response on potential premiere venues. It has already been selected by the Youngstown Film Festival (nominee for Best Feature Documentary), Berkeley Springs Film Festival (chosen as headliner to close the festival), and Sound on Screen Music Film Festival (Cape Town, South Africa).
The Documentary (Synopsis)
Are you ready to experience what Lou Mansdorf at Rum Bar Records likes to call “Garage Rock 101”? See this intimate glimpse into the early 80s Boston music scene. “The Dogmatics: A Dogumentary” shares the untold story of the band that unwittingly pioneered and became emblematic of the genre.
This documentary is a four-year effort by family and friends, crafted as a tribute to the Dogmatics’ late co-founder and bassist Paul O’Halloran. It takes you back to the origins of The Dogmatics, recorded on long-forgotten 8mm film reels, giving you a glimpse into the dilapidated loft on Boston’s rundown South End, where the band lived along with many other talented musicians.
The quartet was no different than any other talentless, self-deprecating, beer-swilling, girl-chasing lunkheads with guitars. It wasn’t about money. Catching a girl’s eye, a free round of drinks, or simply completing a song in unison were their rewards. But somehow, success would discover them as they created music that everyone could agree on.
As their songs appealed to many audiences, they became known to many as “Boston’s House Band.” It’s not just a story of brothers – by blood and bond – but a rock and roll quartet that included identical twins with a shared passion for music and its rich history.
The Band (Bio)
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 Peter 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.
Additional Info.
- View our Press Kit?
- Interested in screening the film? Contact Us
- Read the Film Credits
- Read the Band & Bandmate Bios
- Read an interview with the Director on BGN
Reviews & Accolades
Here’s some pre-release coverage from various media outlets.
An affectionate love letter to a band, a city, and a time when it all came together in the ultimate garage band punk lifestyle. If you know The Dogmatics, you will enjoy the nostalgia and good times remembered. If you don’t, then you’ll love getting to know them and what it was like in Boston when they appeared on the scene.
It’s a heartfelt story of brotherhood and a cool insight into the garage rock scene, based on the experiences of those directly involved and unique images of the band members growing up and performing. Highly recommended.
Great job on the dogumentary!! It’s kick A$$! Looks like award winning material to me!!!
The Dogmatics: A Dogumentary is a vibrant and alive blast filled to the brim with kick-ass garage rock, a rock n’ roll spirit, and an emotional core that keeps you rooting for these guys from beginning to end.
The Dogmatics: A Dogumentary has it all, the start of the band the middle and what’s still ongoing. It’ll make you laugh, shed a tear and mostly importantly appreciate the music created by the Dogmatics. A must see for any fan of the “Boston scene”!!
Dogmatics and local music fans alike are going to go bonkers for this. The film tells the band’s story from the very beginning and right up to their latest release… All bands would be lucky to have a career spanning documentary like this.
Last updated: March 19, 2023
