X-Ray Visions: A Look Inside Portland's Legendary X-Ray Cafe
From 1990 to 1994, ground zero for the all-ages, alt-rock scene in Portland was the X-Ray Cafe. Brought to life and operated as a flight of fancy by Benjamin Arthur Ellis and Tres Shannon, the X-Ray was both a critical venue for emerging local and touring bands and hang-out for an amazing array of outcasts, street kids and creative eccentrics of all stripes. When band such as Crackerbash, Sprinkler, Poison Idea, Hell Cows, Smegma, Dead Moon, Hitting Birth, Beat Happenings, Cake, Hole, Green Day or the Spinanes were not on stage, anything from poetry to Spanish lessons to a sewing circle might have connected and entertained the customers. Whether shelter, social or information hub, or music mecca, the X-Ray represented and remains, in age-old fashion, a key chapter in many Portlander's coming of age. Ellis's film, loaded with interviews and performance clips, is a spirited valentine to the craziness and glory of days gone by and to the many who called the X-Ray home.
Directed by Benjamin Arthur Ellis · Written by Benjamin Arthur Ellis
Where to Watch
Streaming
Cast
- Benjamin Arthur Ellis self
- Tres Shannon self
- Roger Nusic self
- Scott Campbell self
- Jim Redden self
- Tony Demicoli self
- Pierre Ouellette self
- Fred Cole self
- Mark Sten self
- Tom Robinson self
- Jermaine Poppymoonbeam self
- Travis Kurtz self
Make it a double feature
3h 31m together
X-Ray Visions: A Look Inside Portland's Legendary X-Ray Cafe
Mr. Holland's Opus
A close match in mood and era.
