This is the story 'Behind The Music' about an Atlanta band called Film and their one time lead singer Michael Lee. This is also the story about how Michael Lee and his new band The Rising took what many people thought to be, Film's record deal and 2 of Film's songs and told everyone he wrote them. He even changed the name of the most well known song Q to So Alive possibly to try and keep from paying Film the royalties it deserved.

Michael Lee even claims on The Rising's website that 'So Alive' is a very personal song... "a moving confession about the struggle to maintain faith in the face of adversity that is nothing short of inspirational" ... such a shame that it was actually written by Film guitarist Michael Sickeler before Mike Lee ever joined the band!

FILMLAND CD Cover Film formed in 1996 and for the first few years Michael Sickeler handled lead vocals and lead guitar. The song Q was written by Michael Sickeler back in 1998 and appeared on Film's first CD Filmland (available from here) released in January 1999. After putting out their debut cd FILMLAND, the band decided to look for a lead singer so that Michael Sickeler could focus on playing guitar.

Auditions were held and finally Australian Michael Lee was asked to join the band in March of 2000.

Since FILMLAND, Film had written a load of new material and so Michael Lee's first task was to learn the songs already written. This included songs like Be With Me Now, Lead Machine, Chemical Wonder, Get Away and Coming Down. The band also continued to play the song Q (from the CD Filmland).

Rolling EP [now available]
In December 2000 Film went in to the studio to record the ..rolling.. EP. It was released January 2001 and included a newer, sightly different version of Q with a new chorus tag line added written by Film's singer at the time, Mike Lee, in addition to the old chorus, along with the tracks Be With Me Now, Lead Machine, Chemical Wonder, Get Away and Coming Down

Guy Oceary (head of Maverick Records) has said that 'Q' is one of his favourite songs of all time. It was brought to his attention by Michael Goldberg, A&R at Maverick, after being sent by Film's lawyer at the time, Greg Brooks. Film were flown to LA in March 2001 by Maverick records and played a showcase at the legendary Viper Room, on the Sunset Strip. Maverick immediately offered the band a record deal.

The band returned to Atlanta to negotiate the deal.

1 week later, Michael Lee left the band, saying he didn't wish to pursue a career with the band, and started shopping himself with the help of his new manager, Tim O'Brien using the songs written and recorded by Film. He eventually took the same deal with Maverick as a solo artist. Michael Lee's record will be out in the summer of 2003. He has re-recorded Q and changed the name to So Alive and it will be released along with another Film song Coming Down (can you feel it) on his debut CD "Future Unknown" released by Maverick Records.

Film has a new lead singer and a new version has been recorded with an even better chorus, that can be heard online here.

Leslie Fram, program director at 99X WNNX radio in Atlanta called 'Q' "Film's career building song".

Film meanwhile, are still going strong with their new lead singer Michael Meyer and continue to record and write while weighing up various offers from several indie labels. The new material can be heard online here.

I thought Nigel made them delete their myspace page when they make the top 24.

I thought Nigel made them delete their myspace page when they make the top 24.

Which hasn't happened yet - mid-January is when the Top 24 are chosen.

Greasy here is supposed Top 50.

Beatles, Stones, Petty, Zeppelin, Otis Redding, The Faces all the way to INXS. Anything that rocks with soul.

Looks like a Pool in some LA backyard is missing its Guy.

Can't they let us have one season without greasy Constacheese clones? :manbearpig

Sab, is that a typo? Poo-boy? !

That was last season. (I think)