Prey for Rock & Roll
A punk rock band's last shot at success.
Prey for Rock & Roll is a 2003 American drama film directed by Alex Steyermark and written by Cheri Lovedog and Robin Whitehouse. The film follows Jacki and her all-girl punk rock band, Clam Dandy, as they navigate the challenges of pursuing a music career in Los Angeles. Adapted from a semi-autobiographical play by Lovedog, the film explores themes of ambition, personal tragedy, and the struggle to keep a band together.
- release_year
- 2003
- director
- Alex Steyermark
- writers
- Cheri Lovedog and Robin Whitehouse
- genre
- Drama
- based_on
- Semi-autobiographical play by Cheri Lovedog
- starring
- Gina Gershon, Drea de Matteo, Lori Petty, Shelly Cole, Marc Blucas
Lore & Background
Cheri Lovedog wrote the stage musical Prey for Rock & Roll based on her own experiences fronting the punk band Lovedog, who opened for groups like Jane’s Addiction, Hole, L7 and X in the 1980s and early 1990s. The musical was staged in the summer of 2000 at New York's CBGB club. For the film adaptation, Lovedog did not want actresses to lip-sync to another singer's vocals. Director Alex Steyermark, who had previously served as the music supervisor for films like Malcolm X and Hedwig and the Angry Inch, suggested Gina Gershon after seeing her perform on Broadway in a revival of Cabaret. Gina Gershon did all of her own singing in the film and also came on board as a producer. Joan Jett was a consultant on the film and gave Gershon guitar lessons, but ended up leaving the production after a pay dispute that culminated in a lawsuit. Filming began on May 16, 2002, in Los Angeles.
Reader's Guide
Prey for Rock & Roll premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and received a limited theatrical release on October 3, 2003. Reviews praised the film for capturing 'the flavor of band life' and Gershon's performance, with Stephen Holden of The New York Times writing that her 'hot-wired performance infuses Prey for Rock and Roll with a bracing charge of authenticity.' Critics also commended Lori Petty, Drea de Matteo, and Shelly Cole, as well as the film's perspective on the rock music scene from a woman's viewpoint. However, criticisms centered on some subplots as melodramatic and clichéd, and opinions were divided on the music. The film holds a 57% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 48 out of 100, indicating mixed or average reviews. In June 2024, distributor Kino Lorber released a restored version in select theaters and on Blu-Ray and streaming.
Did You Know?
- Gina Gershon did all of her own singing in the film and also served as a producer.
- Joan Jett was a consultant on the film and gave Gershon guitar lessons, but left after a pay dispute that led to a lawsuit.
- The film was adapted from a semi-autobiographical play by Cheri Lovedog, who founded an LA punk band in the 1980s.
- To promote the film, Gershon went on an eight-city tour with a backup band, documented for the 2004 IFC reality show Rocked with Gina Gershon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Prey for Rock & Roll?
It is a 2003 American drama that follows Jacki and her all-girl punk rock band, Clam Dandy, as they fight to build a music career in Los Angeles. The story centers on the group's final chance at making it big in the industry.
Who directed and wrote Prey for Rock & Roll?
Alex Steyermark helmed the project, while Cheri Lovedog and Robin Whitehouse penned the screenplay. The script was adapted from a semi-autobiographical stage play that Lovedog originally created.
Who stars in Prey for Rock & Roll?
The principal cast includes Gina Gershon, Drea de Matteo, Lori Petty, Shelly Cole, and Marc Blucas, who portray the band members and supporting characters in the story.
What is Prey for Rock & Roll based on?
The film is adapted from a semi-autobiographical play written by Cheri Lovedog, who then co-wrote the screen adaptation alongside Robin Whitehouse. Much of the personal material in the story traces back to that original theatrical work.
What themes does Prey for Rock & Roll explore?
The narrative weaves together ambition, personal tragedy, and the strain of keeping a band unified under pressure. It portrays the emotional cost of chasing a music career in a competitive, unforgiving city.
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