Produced by legendary musician of Rage Against the Machine, Tom Morello, ‘Don’t Turn Your Back On Friday Night’ is a documentary telling the story of American singer-songwriter, Ike Reilly.

In addition to Ike and his band, The Ike Reilly Assassination – Phil Karnats, Dave Cottini, Pete Cimbalo, Adam Krier, Tommy O’Donnell, Ed Tinley, Shane Reilly, Kevin Reilly, and Mickey Reilly, the documentary also features David Pasquesi (‘Veep,’ ‘Book Of Boba Fett’), Tony Fitzpatrick (Artist, Actor – ‘Patriot’) and Mars Williams (Psychadelic Furs – band).

Release Date

Directed by Michael O’Brien and Mike Schmiedeler, ‘Don’t Turn Your Back On Friday Night’ opens in select US theaters on August 15, 2024 and on VOD on August 27, 2024.

Synopsis

Meet former gravedigger and doorman Ike Reilly. At 40 years old he landed a major label recording contract and in true rock and roll fashion he bought his family a dream home. He took his band out on the road where they became what The New York Times called “one of the best live bands in America.” Despite 9 albums, a cult following and immense critical acclaim Reilly has failed to achieve commercial success. Academy Award winning director James Marsh says, “Ike’s stuff sounds like it should be enormously successful and it just isn’t and I have no idea why.” Exploring Ike’s career, the film culls over 40 years of footage masterfully weaving in songs that reveal a complicated and formidable artist with an incredibly charismatic family. Struggling with booze and in the face of foreclosure, Ike finds redemption in music, art and family as his 3 sons begin performing with his band.

The film includes electrifying live performances, intimate personal moments and interviews with critics, fans, family, and legendary artists including David Lowery and Johnny Hickman of the band Cracker and Rock & Roll Hall Fame inductee Tom Morello. Morello, who also serves as Executive Producer says, “Ike Reilly is kind of like a real-life version of Jimmy Stewart’s character in It’s A Wonderful Life. Ike’s path as an incredibly talented yet underappreciated heartland troubadour has taken many unexpected, hilarious, rocky, and ultimately redemptive twists and turns that are all beautifully captured in this great film.”

Official Trailer

Watch the official trailer for ‘Don’t Turn Your Back On Friday Night’.