Drafthouse Films picks up SXSW rockumentary, 'A Band Called Death'

Jeff Howlett and Mark Covino’s rockumentary, A Band Called Death, has been picked up by Drafthouse Films.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that the film focuses on a 1970s African-American Proto-Punk threesome that gathered a cult following after a 30-year period when their demo tape was discovered.

The group was formed in 1971 by three teenage brothers in Detroit. The obscure musical trio has been cited as one of the first punk bands ever; preceding The Ramones and Sex Pistols. However, they struggled to earn money, keep their families intact and attract attention.

Their lack of success forced the group to hang up their instruments. They left all of their records in an old attic for no one to hear.

In a stroke of luck, internet fans and record collectors sparked a new sense of curiosity for the band. The rockumentary chronicles their triumphs and newfound interest from the public.

The film is set to screen at the SXSW Film Festival in the “24 Beats Per Second” film category, according to Indiewire.com.

A Band Called Death first premiered at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival and Drafthouse will release the film theatrically and on VOD this summer.