Little-known band left big legacy
Lives changed by hard-rocking SoCal band that saw B.C. as second home
At first glance it might seem a bit weird that a documentary about a SoCal rock/punk/rockabilly band is opening the Langley International Film Festival (Feb. 16-18).
However, the Cadillac Tramps, the band at the centre of the film Cadillac Tramps: Life on the Edge, are kind of homies through association as they toured the Canadian West Coast quite extensively during 1991-00. In fact, in 1994 alone, The Tramps gigged in Vancouver three times.
“Canada was always really good to them. It is almost like their second home,” said Jamie Sims Coakley, the director of the documentary and the wife of Brian Coakley, one of the Tramps’ guitar players. “We were really excited when Langley asked for the film.”
The film is as energetic and heartfelt as the band itself was. I was lucky enough to see them live in the day. Leaving one of their shows you were both exhausted and completely exhilarated. This was a raucous happy place, where audience members were encouraged to slam into each other, but also hug one another.
Cadillac Tramps: Life on the Edge is one of six films at this year’s Langley International Film Festival (LIFF). It’ll be screened Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. After the film, Jamie and Brian will be on-hand to talk about the band and the movie.
Led by the charismatic and unrelenting frontman, the late Mike (Gabby) Gaborno, The Tramps entertained audiences and put fear in the hearts of other musicians who might find themselves having to follow the Orange County, Calif., outfit on stage.
Despite the huge shout-outs and reverence from musicians from bands like No Doubt, Pearl Jam and Rancid, The Tramps never made it big in the record-deal, arena-tour sort of way, in turn leaving their history to be more legendary than lucrative.
“Even after everything and even after making the film, I can’t put my finger on it. I still can’t say there is one definitive thing,” said Jamie Coakley, when asked about the band missing the big record deals and MTV success.
Coakley began the filmmaking process in 2013, when it became clear that Gaborno’s health began to crash.
He eventually died in January 2017 at age 51 from liver disease. Gaborno dealt with addiction and alcoholism for stretches of time between 1987 and 2001. However, it should be noted that for the most part The Tramps were a sober gang that supported each other.
“We met because we all had a problem. We met because we were all seeking recovery,” says Brian in the film.
It’s that sober situation that also inspired Jamie to turn the camera on the group.
“Beyond the celebrities or rock stars talking about them, what really blew me away were the fans were just like, ‘They changed my life,’ or, ‘They saved my life,’ ” said Coakley.
Coakley added that during filming of the movie that at least 100 people told her they got sober and remained sober due to the band.
“I thought, ‘Who cares if they got famous or not?’ How many people can say they made art that affected people that deeply on that level. That you literally gave people their lives back with your art,” said Coakley. “That’s amazing. How cool is that?”
It’s really cool when you consider the film will be part of a festival that in turn helps young people make art, art that some day may also help people. The LIFF has to date raised close to $20,000 for film programs in the Langley secondary-school system. This year they’re expecting to add another 10 grand to the mix.
This year’s festival lineup also includes The TIFF and VIFF award-winning film, the drama Luk’Luk’l, from former Langley resident Wayne Wapeemukwa. The French film C’est la vie delivers the laughs. Rounding out the festival are the Hollywood movies Wonder and the Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe-winning Get Out. Wonder stars Langley’s own 11-year-old Jacob Tremblay, who’ll be on hand after the film’s screening on Feb. 18 todoaQ&A.
On Feb. 17, 18 short student films take centre stage at the LIFF.
“They are always very interesting. It shows what the next generation is maybe going to look like in filmmaking,” said Susan Cairns of the Langley School District and the festival’s programmer. “They love it and they love having their films in the festival. We make a big deal out of it.”
That big deal is the adjudication and prizes, as well as a post-showing reception.