SWEET PAIN: THE MOVIE

SWEET PAIN: THE MOVIE

Anne Leighton

This is the real-life movie of a trash rock 'n' roll band with a hot guitarist. This is Sweet Pain—the brainchild of a mother-lovin’, gutsy, tough guy: Corky Gunn.

Flashback: The diaper years ... Corky toddles to the stage, where his uncle Charlie’s band is jamming the hot hits of the day, “Last Time” and “Under My Thumb.” Uncle scoops Corky onto a stool and Corky grabs the microphone and screams, “I can’t get no girlie action!" Ladies over 30, teens, and Corky’s mom grin, smile and embrace Corky. The other toddlers are delirious.

Today: The Sweet Pain video “New Toy,” has a shot of three-year-old Corky standing by a drum set, holding a guitar. “When I was five years old my Halloween costume was a Paul McCartney mask.

I just always wanted to be a rock ’n’ roll star. As I got older I realized the Stones were cooler ’cause they were so anti-everything."

Flashback: Corky sees Kiss at the Electric Ballroom in Atlanta, 100 miles from his home. “That’s when I knew that I had to do it. The coolest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. It blew me away.”

Flashback: Corky getting his report card in High Schoolall A’s. “I was the teacher’s pet. And I was so into rock ’n’ roll. Everybody used to laugh at me. ‘Ha, ha, ha, you don't know what you’re doing.’ Everybody wanted to be a doctor or lawyer.”

Today: Corky’s in METAL, has a band with a record made with some help from another guitar player, Richie Ranno, of one of his all-time favorite bands, Starz. At first Corky was a bit awed by this, but now they play basketball together and hang out.

Flashback: “MUSICIANS WANTED: Glam, Trash R&R lead singer forming band ala Alice Cooper, T. Rex, Aerosmith, Dolls. Call Corky Gunn, 212-555-5555.”

Today: Corky is pointing at his brain. "I never put anything down on paper because it can be stolen. It’s all in here.”

Flashback: Corky cleaning toilets for a major record company. The president and number one publicist come out of the stalls discussing marketing strategy. Corky listens. Later on he asks a music reporter the “real meaning” of “rap records."

Today: Corky is sitting in the Hard Rock Cafe signing autographs for Juicy George, our heavy metal waiter and giving advice: “I busted my ass for a lot of people just to get to know people.”

He could have gotten a major label deal if he wanted, but has seen some great bands get lame record deals. He joined forces with a good independent label, Combat. “They are going to be a big noise in this industry,” maintains Corky. “They’re moving their offices to a bigger place. Things are starting to expand.”

At this point, there’s a drumroll from the kitchen downstairs. Fifteen Hard Rock Cafe waitresses, dressed in white mini nurse uniforms, march upstairs with various drummers. The guitars and basses from the walls fly around our table and begin strumming. For some inexplainable reason, I fly up to the Hard Rock’s highest ceiling! And Corky grabs his fork and begins singing into its tines. He stands up.

“We’re gonna make this label known.

We’re gonna rock you on down home.

I want this more than anything

And everything I’ve wanted Was everything that I’ve gotten ’Cause I busted— me ass!”

Flashback: Corky visiting his old neighborhood. Mom’s embracing Corky. The toddlers are delirious. He goes to Rafters, the corner bar. Monday Night Football’s on TV. Corky—and everyone—raise a glass or two. The camera pans out and, in the style of John Boy Walton, we hear Corky’s Brooklyn accent, “I’m not a Hollywood person. So what that this guy’s poor and he has no money? What am I? Better than him? I don’t believe in that, ’cause it ruins bands. When you lose touch with your roots and where you come from—what inspired you to be a rock ’n’ roller in the first place, what gave you your ideas—when you lose touch with that, you’re gonna sink.” Fade out.