What I always say about Keith Roth is that whichever of the three modes you may encounter him in – “radio Keith,” “onstage Keith” or “just hangin’ out” Keith – he’s the same cat.
Keith is just a rockin’ dude who lives rock, loves rock, and loves to talk about … rock.
Locals know him as the host of WRAT’s Sunday night rock-’n’-chat show, “The Electric Ballroom,” and as the frontman for a band that has gigged at many area venues, Frankenstein 3000. (Although, F3K hasn’t been as busy lately, and now I know why.) The rest of the country knows him as a SiriusXM personality.
Well, Keith has added a fourth mode: “movie Keith.”
I just caught the trailer for “Let Me Down Hard” (Red Bank Film Factory), a movie starring Keith as faded rock star Jack Ainsley. From the synopsis: “With every opportunity exhausted, a one-hit rock-and-roll wonder comes home to his once broken city — itself on the rebound — to seek redemption.”
WATCH THE TRAILER:
Based on the trailer, the movie looks gorgeous. Jersey Shore-philes will dig the lovingly photographed locations seen in the trailer: Convention Hall, the Paramount, the Stone Pony, the Brighton Bar, the Asbury boardwalk, the promenade between Asbury and Ocean Grove. (Also, the Wonder Bar and the Pony are seen in what appears to be vintage imagery.)
And Keith looks the part. A rocker from Asbury coming home? It’s like it was written for him.
I’m really psyched to see this flick, which won the Best Homegrown Feature Award from the Garden State Film Festval.
“Let Me Down Hard” is directed by William DeVizia, and written by Frank Harkins and DeVizia. Joining Keith in the cast are Paul Diomede, Harry Chambarry, John Serge, Leah Oster, Margo Crupi, Kristin Scuorzo and Stephanie Silk.
A sweeping aerial shot of Asbury Park, from “Let Me Down Hard.”
The venerable Brighton Bar in Long Branch, from “Let Me Down Hard.”
Keith Roth as faded rock star Jack Ainsley, from “Let Me Down Hard.”
The Stone Pony in vintage imagery, from “Let Me Down Hard.”
The Wonder Bar in vintage imagery, from “Let Me Down Hard.”
Keith Roth and a fellow cast member of “Let Me Down Hard” walk the promenade between Asbury Park and Ocean Grove.
Keith Roth (center) and fellow cast members of “Let Me Down Hard” in a scene filmed at Tim McLoone’s Supper Club on the Asbury boardwalk.
Jack Ainsley (Keith Roth) performs at the Brighton, from “Let Me Down Hard.”
Jack Ainsley (Keith Roth) performs, from “Let Me Down Hard.”