WAIST HIGH: Attention US Festival Fans!

5/15/2012

Attention US Festival Fans!

ICON Television Music, UNUSON (Unite Us In Song) and Plum Moving Media have announced a release date, Sept. 3, 2012, for The US Generation - a documentary of the 1982 US Festival.

According to Carlos Harvey of UNUSON (the company Steve Wozniak formed during the US Festival days), "This film is the only authorized and sanctioned documentary of the 1982 US Festival. It captures the cultural essence of the festival and tells the behind-the-scenes stories the fans will appreciate. I’ve had thousands of calls & emails from attendees over the years about when we'll release a film about the US Festival. After 30 years it seems like the right time so the fans can relive the experience and we can create new fans too."

The release of The US Generation will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the original US Festival which took place over Labour Day weekend in 1982 in the foothills of San Bernardino, California. It was 110 degrees the first day of the festival when the first band, Gang of Four, took the stage on opening day and the rest is precious history.

The original three-day US Festival (the second was held in May 1983) was funded by $12.5 million of Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak's own dollars who at the time was still vice president of the company. Wozniak declared, "I want to throw the party of the century!"

Wozniak paid for the construction of an outdoor concert pavilion (now The San Manuel Amphitheater) which included a temporary stage built with the largest sound system in the world at the time and five large tents which housed the US Festival Technology Exposition.

Day one of the festival included performances by The Ramones, The English Beat, Oingo Boingo, The B-52's, and The Police. Day two featured The Cars, The Kinks, and Pat Benatar, and the final day (Sunday) included The Grateful Dead, Jackson Browne, and Fleetwood Mac.

Watch Steve Wozniak's animated Apple IIe floppy disk-based invitation to the US Festival.

According to the filmmakers the 90-minute documentary will include never-before-seen and digitally re-mastered concert footage, with an "intermingling of history," and "anecdotal stories as told by and seen through the eyes of the event participants."

Steve Wozniak: "The US Festival was not a charity event. It was a rock concert to bring music, technology and people together. It was an event to unite government, industry, science and education to improve the quality of life for everyone."

Photo: Richard Auger via The US Generation Documentary

Quoted material: The US Generation

CAST OF CHARACTERS

THE KERN COUNTY DRUNKARD
Everything at Waist High is a long story, and the story of The KCD is no exception. After this individual told Waist High in December of 2003 that she was going to kill her, "Waist High" the blog was born. Please do not tell Waist High the person that you are going to kill her or she will create "Waist High" the blog and write nasty things about you! Including the time you stunk up the bathroom at The Alley Cat. The "Kern County Drunkard Watch" detailed the drunken comings and goings of the live-in love interest of one of Waist High's most cherished male friends. Never has Waist High met anyone who drank as much as or as often as The KCD. The KCD, because she was an insecure drunk, hated Waist High for most of her decade long relationship with Waist High's most cherished male friend. She hated Waist High for the obvious reason: Waist High is hot. A one time source of much of the material for Waist High the blog, The "Kern County Drunkard Watch" was permanently retired in March 2005 when Waist High's most cherished male friend finally came to his senses and kicked her ass to the curb.

RAMPART
Rampart is the first ex-husband of Waist High. She refers to him as her first ex-husband because she knows there will eventually be a second. Rampart grew up on the mean streets of Bakersfield and claims to have been the co-discoverer of the well known 1980s dirt field party spot known as "The Place." Rampart's 1987 directive to Waist High, "Drink this six pack before I get back!" made both Waist High and Rampart parents at age 20. Rampart currently resides 4.5 miles from Waist High in the wilds of Oregon and is an enduring fixture at their local Cigs For Less shop. Once a Bakersfield Del Taco associate, Sail Thru Hamburgers drive up dude, and Wible Road AM/PM graveyard worker, Rampart claims to now net $49,000 per month. But only to impress people, not when required.

(THE FORMER) LOVELY TEENAGED DAUGHTER
Not your average 35 year old. Born to Waist High as a "Miracle on 34th Street" in Bakersfield Memorial Hospital on 34th Street, LTD is on the board of MAC cosmetics. Not really, but she swears allegiance only to them. When LTD's mother once purchased LTD some eye shadow from Target, LTD threatened to call the police. Sweeter than Tupelo Honey, with the attitude of a feral cat, LTD is disgusted with most things. Including being forced to live with Waist High from 1988-2005. The child at one time even had her own blog, "Living With Waist High," which detailed her misery. A graduate of the oldest institution in the Oregon University System, LTD kept her promise of not getting knocked up at age 20 like Waist High did.

THE STRANGER
Oh God bless The Stranger. The Stranger was one of Waist High's most loyal confidants during some of the darker periods of the blog. Although his fierce allegiance to really bad music was a great source of aggravation for Waist High, The Stranger gave her a much needed look at life. Through the eyes of someone not yet bitter. The Stranger was almost pushed out of a moving vehicle when he revealed to Waist High that not only did he not know who Barry Manilow, Captain & Tenille, or Spandau Ballet were, but that he literally had no clue what Trail Mix was.

"TRI-TIP"
Special Correspondent to Waist High, and one of Waist High's most cherished friends. Used to live with The Kern County Drunkard. Was a Special Correspondent to Waist High for 9 months before knowing it. Long story. This individual coined the ultimate mid '80s Bakersfield drinking phrase, "Lock hubs. Party!"

DESI
Waist High's former work spouse. Cares about Waist High so much that he once took Waist High with him on a smoke break the very next day after she spent $250 for hypnotherapy TO QUIT SMOKING. Was the first person in conversation to introduce Waist High to concepts like "The Dirty Sanchez," "Dog In A Bathtub," "Tea Bagging," and "The Shocker." Reminds Waist High as often as possible that if women "neglect the balls," their men will leave them.