By: Chuck Miller
Music, , , , ,

Hello, My Name is Blotto – The Movie – what an amazing night!

It’s Saturday night and I’m navigating my way through the Cohoes Music Hall for the world premiere of a documentary on Albany’s greatest party rock band – Blotto.

Hello! My Name is Blotto – The Movie is a retrospective of the rock band whose songs “I Wanna Be a Lifeguard” and “Metal Head” broke through to national radio prominence and took some hard-working party rock musicians – many of whom previously existed in an off-the-wall country / bluegrass / jug band – into national prominence. Through a magic confluence of early MTV, relentless touring and a massive DIY attitude, Blotto was Albany’s rock and roll center in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, and continued performing locally for decades after that.

And here I am, at the Cohoes Music Hall, where the documentary will have its national premiere. The remaining Blotto bandmembers past and present were on hand to celebrate this milestone, and people snagged selfies and autographs with all of them.

Left to right – Bowtie Blotto, Chevrolet Blotto, Blanche Blotto, Broadway Blotto and F Lee Harvey Blotto. Photo (c) Chuck Miller.

So yeah, this was a really cool event. And of course, I couldn’t resist getting in a selfie or three. Oh, you’re not going to deny me a chance to hang out with Blotto, are you? 😀

Yep, I’m rocking the Blotto T-shirt and an Albany Patroons jacket. I couldn’t be more Albany right now if I offered a meal of steamed hams.

I can tell you this. After seeing the documentary, I want to see it again. It was just that great. There was a definite “never say die” attitude with the band, no matter what obstacles popped up in front of them – and through it all, Blotto remained dedicated to their music and their craft and to providing their fans with a good time every night.

The documentary will appear at various festivals, and there are plans for the film to appear in the Capital District at future dates. Best way to find out when those screenings will happen is to visit Blotto’s website for more information – and while you’re there, it wouldn’t hurt to purchase a t-shirt or a set of tumblers or some buttons … hey, I wonder if they’re still offering Blotto shower shoes.

But yeah. Total fun all around.