When the Seattle music scene of the 90s made headlines, “low rock” band Morphine was developing a fan base of die hards that would stand the test of time and went above and beyond the realm of power chord driven angst-filled grunge rock. The band’s frontman, Mark Sandman, is a legend in his own right, which is proven by filmmakers, Jeff Broadway, Robert G. Bralver and David Ferino in the documentary Cure for Pain: The Mark Sandman Story.
In this award winning film, we watch the life and times of Sandman unfold from his humble beginnings in Newton, Massachusetts to his untimely death on stage in Palestrina, Italy in 1999 at age 47. Telling the story of how Sandman’s troubled life as a boy and how it brought him to numerous bands prior to the fruition of Morphine.
To be a three piece band consisting of drums, baritone sax, and two-string bass in the 90s, when guitar riffs ruled the airways, was a deviation from the unwritten rules of rock; yet, Morphine influenced musicians of all types including guitar players. With footage from home movies, TV news and concerts strewn together with photographs, postcards, pages from Sandman’s mother’s memoir, and even appearances by other artists, such as, Les Claypool, Josh Homme, Mike Watt, and Ben Harper, Cure for Pain will educate even the most avid music and film buff.
Also, don’t forget to check out an after party where you will get the chance to have an up close and personal Q & A with the filmmakers themselves at Picnic.
Cure For Pain: The Mark Sandman Story is showing at The Arts Station, in Fernie, on Thursday, March 8 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.
For more information on this event or any others associated with The Arts Station, contact 250-423-4842 or info@theartsstation.com
