Every year the Seattle International Film Festival issues the "Fly Filmmaking Challenge", a two week start to finish production of a short film. This year I've been invited to participate and I'll be making the lone documentary in the bunch.
Back in the 80's I was introduced to the music of a band called HOUSE OF FREAKS. For those of you who don't know, they were a two man ensemble (Bryan Harvey; Vocals/Guitar and Johnny Hott; Drums), who many have called the predecessors to bands like THE WHITE STRIPES. They played Americana, songs about the backwaters of America, heavy on the imagery.
I hadn't listened to HOUSE OF FREAKS for over a decade, and about a month before Christmas I found myself wondering whatever happened to them, and was thinking maybe I should dust off my old records and give them a listen again. I didn't.
On New Year's day, drummer Johnny Hott arrived at Bryan Harvey's house to help prepare for the annual Harvey New Year's bash in Richmond, VA. When Johnny arrived he found no one home and the house on fire. He called 911.
In the basement, firefighters found the lifeless bodies of Bryan Harvey, his wife Kathryn and their two little girls Stella and Ruby. At first it was presumed they were unconscious from smoke inhalation, but when the bodies were brought outside they discovered that each of the family member's hands were bound, and their throats were slit.
Since the murders, two suspects have been apprehended. It now appears that this was simply a random burglary gone bad.
Not a day has gone by since I've heard this story where I haven't found myself humming, whistling or singing a HOUSE OF FREAKS tune. I saw the HOUSE OF FREAKS play live once, and although I had acquaintances who knew them, I don't recall ever meeting them, but I feel a great sense of loss now that Bryan is gone. I want to explore what that is... how is that a stranger can touch us from far away, and when they are gone we suffer.
The documentary has to be shot locally here in Seattle, and up until now I don't know anyone who has ever heard of this band. I am looking for subjects to interview here in the King County area. If you are a fan of HOUSE OF FREAKS I would like to interview you for my film A CRACK IN THE SIDEWALK. If you have a friend who might be a fan of HOF, please forward this to them or put me in touch with them.
On a sidenote, residents of Richmond, VA and friends of the Harveys are trying to purchase the Harvey house to tear it down and build a memorial park in it's place. When this film has premiered at SIFF I plan to donate it to their cause in hopes of raising funds toward their goal.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Back in the 80's I was introduced to the music of a band called HOUSE OF FREAKS. For those of you who don't know, they were a two man ensemble (Bryan Harvey; Vocals/Guitar and Johnny Hott; Drums), who many have called the predecessors to bands like THE WHITE STRIPES. They played Americana, songs about the backwaters of America, heavy on the imagery.
I hadn't listened to HOUSE OF FREAKS for over a decade, and about a month before Christmas I found myself wondering whatever happened to them, and was thinking maybe I should dust off my old records and give them a listen again. I didn't.
On New Year's day, drummer Johnny Hott arrived at Bryan Harvey's house to help prepare for the annual Harvey New Year's bash in Richmond, VA. When Johnny arrived he found no one home and the house on fire. He called 911.
In the basement, firefighters found the lifeless bodies of Bryan Harvey, his wife Kathryn and their two little girls Stella and Ruby. At first it was presumed they were unconscious from smoke inhalation, but when the bodies were brought outside they discovered that each of the family member's hands were bound, and their throats were slit.
Since the murders, two suspects have been apprehended. It now appears that this was simply a random burglary gone bad.
Not a day has gone by since I've heard this story where I haven't found myself humming, whistling or singing a HOUSE OF FREAKS tune. I saw the HOUSE OF FREAKS play live once, and although I had acquaintances who knew them, I don't recall ever meeting them, but I feel a great sense of loss now that Bryan is gone. I want to explore what that is... how is that a stranger can touch us from far away, and when they are gone we suffer.
The documentary has to be shot locally here in Seattle, and up until now I don't know anyone who has ever heard of this band. I am looking for subjects to interview here in the King County area. If you are a fan of HOUSE OF FREAKS I would like to interview you for my film A CRACK IN THE SIDEWALK. If you have a friend who might be a fan of HOF, please forward this to them or put me in touch with them.
On a sidenote, residents of Richmond, VA and friends of the Harveys are trying to purchase the Harvey house to tear it down and build a memorial park in it's place. When this film has premiered at SIFF I plan to donate it to their cause in hopes of raising funds toward their goal.
Thanks in advance for your help.
