See Ron Gallo Explore His Options in the 'Really Nice Guys' Doc

Ron Gallo was a popular figure in our 2017 Rock ’n’ Roll Poll and his LP Heavy Meta was our pick for Best Rock Trojan Horse in our 2017 Best of Nashville issue, but it seems that the shine has come off of rock for the former Philadelphian. If his new documentary "Really Nice Guys," a companion to the EP of the same name he released in January, is to be believed, he's enthusiastically preparing to shift his focus to jazz trumpet ... or pro skateboarding ... or both. In reality, it's a delightfully satirical mockumentary directed by Christian Gentry that pokes fun at some of the weird truths of being a working musician in a town overrun with them.

The 20-minute home-movie-style flick invites fans into the messy home Gallo shares with bassist Joe Bissiri and drummer Dylan Sevey, offering a comedic peek at Gallo's life and career as a "rock icon" who's just turned in his final rock album. The camera follows Gallo as he practices his skating and makes cringe-worthy attempts at trumpet, as well as a loving dog mom who shields her pup’s ears from Gallo's music as he tries to sell his label on his new direction. The threads that tie it all together are Gallo’s lovable awkwardness and a good dose of honesty about the strains of self-seriousness that can bubble up from trying to make a living as a musician. Appropriately for Gallo, the piece ends with his team talking intensely on banana phones.

The record itself takes plenty of shots at the same subjects, though in slightly different ways. “I’m On the Guestlist” pokes at friends all asking to get into your concert for free, “Rough Mix” pleads with listeners not to judge early takes and “Emotional Impact for Sale” plays up musicians’ need to make a commodity out of their deepest feelings. It's all done with a sense of quirky fun, with nuggets like commentary from Gallo's mother's boyfriend Jerry and a sneaky cover of "Wonderwall" woven throughout. 

Gallo will be busy on the festival circuit this spring and summer, including stops at SXSW, Coachella and Bonnaroo. You can pick up a copy of Really Nice Guys at your favorite record store or via Gallo's website.