Documentary Review: Falling Higher: The Story of Ampage

Text © Robert Barry Francos / FFanzeen, 2023
Images from the Internet

Falling Higher: The Story of Ampage

Directed by Colin J. Felger
Force Field Studios; Freestyle Digital Media
76 minutes, 2023
www.ForceFieldStuidos.com
www.facebook.com/FallingHigherFilm
Soundtrack link HERE

The Sunset Strip in California is known for a lot of things, from the stars that line the streets with entertainers’ names, druggies, hippies, and a film concerning a riot there (1967)  During the 1980s, what was most prominent for the Strip was glam hair metal bands, such as Mötley Crüe, W.A.S.P, the L.A. Guns, and Ampage.

During this time, I was listening to the First Wave of punk, British punk, hardcore, and was getting into the garage revival in New York. Hair bands relied on long guitar solos, which were anathema to me, but they were still omnipresent thanks to the likes of MTV, and local stations like V66, V68, etc. But of all the bands mentioned about the Sunset Strip above, I did not know of Ampage. This documentary mainly focuses on the lead singer and driving force of the band, Mark Mason (commonly known as Mase). I may not be the only one who is unaware, as there is not even a Wikipedia page for the band or Mason (this needs to be corrected). That is just one of the reasons why I feel that this film is important, as a testament to the band’s trajectory.

Like many bands, the core is the lead singer and songwriter, in this case Mase, and whomever is playing behind him may change, but it Is technically the same band. It is rare for find a band that has been playing (on and off) for forty years and keeping the same members (the only one I can think of off the top of my head is ? and the Mysterians).

Over the years, the whole sound of the band has been morphing as well, starting off as hair metal (without the screeching), and eventually turning into a rock band over the course of their nine albums. The history of the band, and especially Mase, ranges from drug and alcohol-fuel debauchery, to married life on a ranch. I also found it fascinating that Mase is a major triathlon athlete and has competed nationally in his middle age.

The film is narrated by actor Jake Busey (recently in 2019’s Ghost in the Graveyard), as Mase was friends with his dad, actor Gary, who sang on one of their records. Also shown in archival footage, is Jeff Conaway (Grease; “Taxi”; d. 2011), who went on tour with the band as a co-singer.

Among those also interviewed, we are presented with Bill Stokem (bassist since 2016), Mark Pearce (guitarist since 2016), Jason Fish (drummer since 2017), Happenin’ Harry (1988 road manager), Mark London (drummer, 1986-88), Punky Peru (drummer in 1981), Loren Molinare (guitarist 1997, and in the punk band the Dogs), Frank Scimeca (bassist for 5 years), Billy Vaughn (bassist 1986-88), Rick Allen (Def Leopard drummer in archival footage), Cameron Cutler (president, Higher Source Records), and family members. One person absent is the original drummer, Mike Kroeger, who passed away from Leukemia in 2016, for whom there is a touching section dedicated to him in the film.

While I still do not think I would go out and buy their music, I find their later years’ material more appealing. There are lots of archival clips of them throughout the entire career of the band. Wisely, they had someone videotape (obviously VHS of some form by the visual noise factor), giving a more complete picture of what it was like to record and tour with the band, and I enjoyed watching them being interviewed on several radio shows (visual, not just the sound).

The clips of them playing music on the stage, or just on the soundtrack, is often short, making it a little harder to get a greater picture of their sound (obviously, this was dedicated to their fans who could sing along with them, word for word, as is stated in the documentary), but with that much of a catalog, if they played whole songs, this would be hours long. Luckily, if you are interested, there is a link to buy the soundtrack above.

I must say, as they are presented in the video, Mase and the various members of the band seem to get along (though some had left to form other groups), and they come across as amenable. No trash talking, though Mase has a self-depreciation moment.

Many band documentaries have a similar pattern, including this one, of the group starting out, getting big, becoming small, being a cult idol, and striving to achieve fame again into middle age. And yet, each band’s story is different, as well.

One thing I noticed, that has nothin’ to do with nothin’, is the tee-shirts worn. Two people wear Soundgarden and Misfits tees, for example, where Mase seems to wear the band’s Ampage shirt frequently.

The story of the rise and fall to/from fame, and the desire to get it back reminded me of the also single-named band from Canada, Anvil, who similarly had a documentary made of their story. 

This release will be available to rent and own via global digital HD Internet and satellite platforms on January 24, 2023, through Freestyle Digital Media.