Drummer Scott Beardsley, bassist Chris Boeger and keyboardist Mike Cammilleri, mainstays on the Madison music scene, will grace movie screens across the country next summer. The three flew to Cape Cod last week for the filming of an Adam Sandler movie, tentatively titled I Hate You, Dad.
Director Sean Anders (Hot Tub Time Machine) is an old friend of Boeger's. He contacted Boeger when a scene in the movie called for a jazz trio playing at an upscale wedding reception.
The Madison trio, along with colleague Mike "Stu" Stoinski, penned a set of original tunes for the film. "We put together a writing team," says Beardsley. "We kept recording, sending stuff off, and they liked it." Stoinski traveled to Madison from Chicago to help craft the tracks, which initially included his vocals - though they were replaced with piano melodies for the film.
The players worked with legendary music producer and director Brooks Arthur, who gave them guidelines on tempo and on what the action of each scene called for musically. Working with Arthur, Beardsley says, was "as good as it gets."
At least one original song performed by the trio, "A Girl Like You," is slated to appear onscreen. They may even wind up with speaking roles, but moviegoers will have to wait until the film's 2012 release to find out.
The movie features Hollywood luminaries like Susan Sarandon and James Caan, as well as Ian Ziering and Vanilla Ice. Adam Sandler plays the cantankerous father of Andy Samberg. The father moves in with Samberg's character just prior to his wedding.
Chatting behind the drum kit with Sandler and previewing scenes with Anders were Beardsley's favorite moments from his time on the set. "We've worked on films before, but nothing on this scale," says Beardsley. "We were lucky to get the opportunity."
Beardsley says it was a pleasant week of filming. "The crew is so huge, it's like they travel with their own government. They leave every location better than they found it," Beardsley said. "Everyone we worked with - hair and makeup, the crew, the actors - was super, super nice."
Back home in Madison and off the movie set, the musicians stay busy. Beardsley, Boeger and Cammilleri are members of various local groups, including the Hometown Sweethearts, the Cash Box Kings and the Kissers, and they juggle busy studio schedules. A full-length recording of the new songs inspired by the film, including Stoinski on vocals, is on the horizon.
