Ringers: Lord of the Fans

Australian Singer Greta Gertler to Record for Documentary Feature,
Ringers: Lord of the Fans

Los Angeles-based quartet World Without Sundays has breathed new life into the most derided song in the entire cannon of Rankin/Bass animation: "Where There's a Whip, There's a Way." Sung by an army of bellowing Orcs in the 1980 adaptation of The Return of the King, the tune has since achieved cult-status among Ringer enthusiasts as a guilty pleasure. The producers of RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS asked World Without Sundays to update "Where There's a Whip" with their signature electro-rock sound, and the band soon emerged from the studio with a stunning, dramatic version that is part Radiohead, part Prodigy, and more genuine protest song than ever before.

RINGERS features a bevy of performers reworking songs from the classic cartoon adaptations of Tolkien from the 70's and 80's -- including Australian singer Greta Gertler performing an extraordinary version of "Leave Tomorrow Till It Comes" (also from ROTK); and indie-rock mainstay Arlo updating the classic ballad of The Hobbit, "The Greatest Adventure." Director/producer/writer Carlene Cordova believes these songs have a unique place in the hearts of Ringers everywhere: "Looking back over the past 50 years of this fan phenomenon, our film has so much music and great songs, as does The Lord of the Rings itself. We felt nostalgic for these Rankin/Bass songs, knowing they deserved to be heard again with a fresh ear. I know the fans will be thrilled and surprised at what our musicians have created."

The moving and addictive sounds of World Without Sundays has no doubt beaten the odds through lasting friendships, bi-coastal moves and chance meetings with each member of this unique band. Shoxwaken Hincks (singer/co-songwriter/guitarist) and Guy Harrington (songwriter/bassist) met up with Adam Hurlbut (drummer) in Boston and decided to move to Los Angeles where they met the remaining addition to their band, Grecco Buratto (guitarist). Their style has been heavily influenced by such acts as Queen, Tom Waits and David Bowie; bringing a dynamic mix of rock, experimental sounds, and blues to their sold-out shows. Online music outlet IMPACT Press raves: "WWS build their songs into furious crescendos with front man Shoxwaken Hincks' powerful vocals."

World Without Sundays played a soaring, hellfire set during TheOneRing.net's Oscar bash "The Return of the One Party" in February 2004, where they were joined onstage by Lord of the Rings stars Dominic Monaghan (Merry Brandybuck) and Billy Boyd (Pippin Took). Upcoming performance dates for the band include Seacliff Beach, CA, and the world-famous ROXY on the Sunset Strip. Their newest release is eponymously titled and distributed through the band's official website here.

About the documentary:

RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS shows how, after 50 years, “The Lord of the Rings” continues to spark the minds and hearts of millions. RINGERS explores the real foundations of Middle-earth; a community of true fans who share a common bond. Moving beyond “cult classic” and over several different generations, the film unearths countless people gathered under the banner of ‘Ringer’ -- academics, musicians, movie stars, authors, filmmakers, and a plethora of pop junkies. Celebrity interviewees include Peter Jackson, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Clive Barker, and David Carradine.

RINGERS features a dynamic rock-driven score with musicians who were influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien. Several indie recording artists have provided new covers of songs from previous “Rings” adaptations. Produced in association with the popular fan-site TheOneRing.net, RINGERS stands as the most comprehensive film document of the ongoing fandom of “The Lord of the Rings.”

From the hippie counter-culture to the electronic age; from the Bakshi animated film to Jackson’s epic trilogy; this documentary brings together extensive footage collected over 21 months -- across three continents. Our cameras have captured the most energetic “Lord of the Rings” events.

What began as the private amusement of a tweedy Oxford professor has now become a new mythology for the 21st century. RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS shows how an adventure story published in 1954 has had dynamic ripple-effects through Western pop-culture. RINGERS carefully pulls away the veil between Tolkien’s book and the creations of art, music, and community that have been inspired by it.

RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS spent 21 months shooting on three continents. Produced in association with the popular Tolkien fan-site TheOneRing.net, Ringers stands as the most comprehensive film document of the ongoing fandom of "The Lord of the Rings."

Current “Ringers” Interviewees include:
Writer/Director/Producer - Peter Jackson, Actor - Elijah Wood, Actor - Sir Ian McKellen, Actor - Viggo Mortensen, Actor - Sean Astin, Actor - Dominic Monaghan, Actor - Billy Boyd, Actor - Andy Serkis, Screenwriter - Philippa Boyens, Author/Interviewer - Cliff Broadway, Author/Filmmaker - Clive Barker, Writer/Director/Producer - Cameron Crowe, Actor - David Carradine, Author - Terry Pratchett, Author - Peter S. Beagle, Author - Terry Brooks, Musician - Lemmy Kilmister, Musician - Geddy Lee, Tolkien Scholar - Dr. Jane Chance, Chairperson of the Tolkien Society - Christine Crawshaw, Author - Colin Duriez, Filmmaker/Critic - Chris Gore, Writer/Publisher - Forrest J. Ackerman, Actor - Sala Baker, Actor - Bill Mumy, Author/Broadcaster - Brian Sibley, Illustrator/Author - Colleen Doran, Illustrator/Author - Jill Thompson, Great-Grandson - Royd Tolkien, and hundreds of Tolkien fans!