Big in Japan: Local Filmmaker to Film Tennis Pro December 3 @ Crocodile
Tennis Pro Live @ Crocodile
December 3, 2010
By Matt Ashworth
I’ve adored local band Tennis Pro since I heard instant-classic “Mixed Tape” back in 2004 after they sent us their debut, Happy is the New Sad.
Despite releasing two more great records, Cassie’s Junior Varsity Make-Out Squad (2005) and Are You There God? It’s Me, Tennis Pro (2008), they’ve never become big stars, even locally, and that’s a shame. Their smart, hooky power-pop rivals that of their influences — the Rentals and Fountains of Wayne to name a couple — and they put on a high energy live show.
If local writer/director John Jeffcoat (Outsourced, which was the foundation for the NBC comedy of the same name) has anything to say about it, that may all change soon. His new movie Big In Japan is a rockumentary about the band’s recent two-week tour through the Land of the Rising Sun. Jeffcoat took on the project after meeting the band while shooting for MTV’s $5 Cover series.
Jeffcoat and his team will capture more footage of the band when they play the Crocodile on December 3. If seeing Tennis Pro before they get “Big In Japan” isn’t enough to get you out, perhaps the other bands on the bill will seal the deal. Jupe Jupe do sophisticated synth pop and Cute Lepers up the “punk” a notch in the pop/punk equation. The show will be featured as a special performance in the film.
Big In Japan trailer