AMHERST — “Zip Tied – The Virus X Story” — a full-length documentary chronicling the 40-year-plus history of Niagara Falls, N.Y. punk band Virus X — will premiere at 7 p.m. Thursday Nov. 6 at The Screening Room in Amherst.
A joint production of 1120 Press and Shepherd Moon Studios, the film explores the group’s origins, experiences and how Niagara Falls and Love Canal influenced the band’s music and art. (See movie trailer HERE)
“Virus X has never claimed to be the greatest band. But they are a band that has blazed their own path from Day One, doing things their own way and staying true to punk’s DIY ethos. What’s more, they’ve been doing it for 42 years, which is simply astonishing,” said Matt Smith, founder and publisher of 1120 Press and the film’s writer and co-director. “The story of this band is compelling. It’s worthy of being told and I’m very honored we were given the opportunity to tell it.”
“It’s been a privilege to work on a film so deeply rooted in the history of the area’s music scene,” said Thane McGarry, founder of Shepherd Moon Studios and the documentary’s cinematographer, editor and co-director. “I’m humbled by the trust showed in us by Virus X, who granted us full access to their personal story and time. It’s been an honor to be part of this project, which from the very start thrived on the spirit of teamwork.”
The Screening Room is located at 880 Alberta Drive in Amherst. Doors to the Nov. 6 premiere open at 7 p.m. The movie will be shown at 7:30 p.m. and Virus X will perform afterward. Presale tickets are $8 and available at Eventbrite.com (HERE). Tickets on the evening of the premiere will be $10 at the door.
A second showing of the film will be held Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Buffalo Creative Workshop, 255 Great Arrow Ave., Suite 205, Buffalo NY.
