Christopher Bacchus MILLSTONE — Life could not be sunnier for Christopher Bacchus of Millstone Township.
Bacchus will be featured along with his band Sunny Gang in a documentary film that is expected to be released this fall. The film focuses on the underground music scene in Newark through the lives of Bacchus and some of his peers, many of whom are immigrants like him.
“My role in the documentary will be very key,” Bacchus said. “My role is to introduce the world to the talent Newark has sculpted for the past few years and to perform with Sunny Gang.”
The documentary is part of a three-year project called Newest Americans, a collaboration between Rutgers Newark, the VII Photo agency and Talking Eyes Media, a nonprofit production company based in Montclair.
Bacchus said he was impressed by the filmmakers, Ed Kashi and Julie Winokur.
Kashi, who is a member of VII Photo agency, has credentials as a photojournalist, filmmaker and educator. While in transit to another country, Kashi provided some information about the documentary.
“[Bacchus] was selected for the film because he comes from an immigrant family and his story is compelling,” Kashi said.
Bacchus is a first-generation Guyanese American who is in his senior year at Rutgers University’s Newark campus.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, members of the Bacchus family emigrated from Guyana, on the Caribbean coast of South America, to the United States. Bacchus grew up in Millstone Township and at the age of 12 he learned to play an instrument and eventually joined bands.
His current band, Sunny Gang, has had some national success. They were picked up by Red Bull and placed on the Sound Select roster. They performed at two major festivals, including Afropunk.
“We have been catching the attention of more mainstream media and sponsors,” Bacchus said. “We have had pictures on the Rolling Stone website and we have been name-dropped in dozens of articles including Brooklyn Vegan and the Wall Street Journal.”
In addition to Bacchus, Sunny Gang members are Nate Hitchock of Roselle on vocals, Joe Sapienza of Red Bank on bass, and Marshal from Wallington on drums. All of the members are students at Rutgers Newark except Sapienza, who is an alumnus of the university. After the spring semester, the rest of the band members will graduate.
In reflecting on his musical path, Bacchus said he believes his ethnic background has an influence on his songwriting.
Bacchus said Sunny Gang’s most wellknown song, “Bloc Party,” is based on the kinds of music he grew up listening to such as island music, reggae and ska.
“My [ethnic background] is definitely ingrained in my musicianship,” Bacchus said. “Guyanese people are go-getters and are always trying to reach the next step. This is reflective in my determination and work ethic I have for my band. I am always trying to make the next move and be ahead of the game. Sunny Gang’s music will be in the documentary.”
Bacchus got involved in the documentary after he wrote a paper for an advanced reporting class that focused on the subcultures of Newark’s skateboarding, music and arts scenes. His professor, journalist Mark DiIonno, shared the paper with people involved with the Newest Americans project.
“It sparked some interest and caught the eye of talented video journalists Ed Kashi and Julie Winokur,” Bacchus said. “We clicked right off the bat.”
Bacchus learned he would be in the forefront of the film, showing how the Newark music scene works and the strong sense of community that is present in Newark’s artists.
“I was excited when they told me I would have a major role in the documentary,” Bacchus said. “I like being in front of the camera.”
The film will feature other players in the Newark underground music scene, such as Steeve Sam and Omotade Fatiregun. The film will showcase the talent and determination of the musicians, Bacchus said.
Other up-and-coming musicians who will be featured in the film include Bacchus’ friends from the band ho99o9 (pronounced horror).
“They are a thrash-core band that has been getting some serious buzz lately and recently were featured on Carson Daly’s show on NBC,” Bacchus said.
Bacchus lives with his parents, John and Regina, in Millstone. His parents will be featured in the documentary and are quite excited about it. Bacchus said he is impressed with how his parents and grandparents paved a life in the United States.
“It is inspiring how my parents and grandparents came here with barely any money and made America work for them,” he said. “They are the true meaning of underdogs. I am so proud of their accomplishments and how they have provided a great life for me. I have learned everything I know from them. They are the reason I continue to pursue my dreams. It is fun to be in the documentary.”