Movies aren’t typically covered by Guerrilla Candy, but there have been a few exceptions. SIFF’s screening of Bob and the Monster, which happens Thursday at 8 p.m., can be added to that short list of exceptions.
The film tells the story of Bob Forrest. If that name sounds familiar you probably watch Celebrity Rehab where he works with Dr. Drew Pinsky. He’s also the frontman of influential post-punks Thelonious Monster.
Bob and the Monster features interviews with Anthony Kedis, Flea, Courtney Love and others along with performance footage of Thelonious Monster to help narrate the transformation of Forrest from someone who once struggled with life-threatening addiction to one of the most influential addiction counselors in the country.
And while Thelonious Monster and Celebrity Rehab both are California products, Forrest has a bit of a Northwest connection. Or at least he has connections with some prominent names in Northwest music. One of those names is famed local DJ Marco Collins who is someone he helped recover from addiction troubles. If you aren’t familiar with Collins’ career I recommend reading this excellent Seattle Weekly profile.
Collins will be on hand for Thursday’s screening and after the film he will do a Q&A with Forrest and the film’s director Keirda Baruth. The Q&A should provide some excellent additional insight into the life of Forrest and film itself. And as if a film screening and Q&A session with the star and director of the movie isn’t enough, following the post-film interview Forrest will take the stage with Thelonious Monster at the Uptown for the group’s first performance in Seattle in 20 years.
Watching the film, the Q&A and seeing Thelonious Monster perform should give a pretty well-rounded look into the life of Bob Forrest. After viewing the trailer for Bob and the Monster (check it out above) it looks like up to this point Forrest has lived quite a fascinating life that anyone with an interest in rock history, or who has had struggles with addiction, should be made aware of because Forrest’s life is a rock ‘n’ roll redemption story well worth your time.
Tickets for Bob the Monster cost $15 ($12 for SIFF members). The screening begins at 8 p.m. with the Q&A and performance by Thelonious Monster follow.
