Film @ Eleven

Film @ Eleven came about in the spring of 1985. Alan Wellman (bassist and vocalist) and June Goering-Wellman (keyboardist and vocalist) had previously been in the band The Shapes that disbanded in June of 1984. Eric Elwell (drummer) was previously the drummer in the Kansas City band Jeoparty. Eric saw June in the stereo shop he worked at in Hutchinson in the spring of 1985. Eric had previously helped The Shapes as stage manager on a few large shows in Kansas City. Eric was excited to see her, and asked if we were playing in another band. June said we were not, and Eric immediately asked if we would like to put together one. We thought about it for a few seconds over Margaritas and decided it would be fun!

Next we had to find a guitarist. Shaun Ray (guitarist and vocalist) had just finished playing with the band My Three Sons (that had opened a show or two for The Shapes). Alan first thought of Shaun, and asked him if he would like to join. Shaun was “too tired”…and going to school. So, reluctantly we had to find someone else. Eric found this young man-child by the name of Doug Fallis (guitarist) that looked good playing his Jackson guitar and Marshall Amplifier. Doug had a pretty girlfriend that was easy on the eyes by the name I. Vonda Humpalot. Anyway, we proceeded to show Doug the difference between minor and major chords, and eventually he learned a few, but could never figure out when to use them.

Our motto was succinct and to the point “Fuck Art…Let’s Dance.” I think Eric came up with the name Film @ Eleven (not knowing that Al Gore would invent email and use @ in the addresses!). Eric also designed our logo (not your average mouth-breathing-drooling drummer). We started off fairly low-key and unpretentious playing a few gigs in the mid-Kansas area, Hutchinson, Manhattan, McPherson, and private parties. We were used as musical background and bit parts in an independently produced movie being filmed in Hutchinson called “The Potato Game” (out of print…thankfully). Our first big gig was opening for The Clocks at their reunion show at Pogo’s in Wichita in 1985. There are some photos from this night. It was a great show, and many of our good friends came out…including Shaun Ray. Shaun realized he was no longer tired and finally wanted to play guitar in the band. We thought about it for a nanosecond over Margaritas and sent Doug and Vonda on their happy way.

Shaun was a perfect fit for the band. We actually coaxed him towards the microphone occasionally to sing background vocals. We began to play larger gigs in Wichita and the surrounding areas. We played fairly steady about every other weekend.

One of our favorite gigs was The World Famous Flicker Lounge in Wichita. They had a great staff, and great customers. One of our larger gigs was to open for The Romantics at Pogo’s in Wichita. There are some photos of this gig. We also got the opportunity to open for The Producers at The Flicker Lounge in 1987.

This was Eric’s last gig on drums. Eric decided to pursue his career of audio engineering by moving to Kansas City to work with Shooting Star, among others. Eric suggested we get Stan Hartman (drummer and vocalist) formerly of the bands Image and Dogs?. Stan agreed and we were on our way, with Eric running sound whenever he was available. Stan was another perfect fit, and a great vocalist. Stan was able to provide great backing vocals, as well as singing lead on a few songs! This was a great new dimension for the band.

We continued playing clubs and parties in Wichita, Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City areas, building a great following and reputation. In August 1989, we played the Wichita Beach Party just outside of Century II along with Spuds McKenzie, Fabulous Shirtheads and Spencer Davis. We also opened a concert for REO Speedwagon at the Cotillion Ballroom in Wichita. Another concert we did was at the Wichita outdoor River Festival stage opening for .38 Special.

In 1990, Alan and June moved to Lawrence so Alan could finish his music education degree at KU. The band continued to play every other weekend as before.

In 1990 Film @ Eleven competed on a listener call-in battle of the bands competition for Kansas City’s KY-102 radio station. This was in conjunction with City Spark studios, where all the recordings were made. Eric Elwell produced our session. We were one of 15 bands (that were selected from 90), to be included on the Knock Out 91 promotional CD. Our song “Walking Down A Fine Line” was one of the most popular and requested on the CD. Unfortunately Alan and June’s marriage was failing at this time. Film @ Eleven played its last gig at the Y-Not in Wichita in January 1991. Alan and June were divorced later that year.

Alan Wellman obtained his music education degree from KU in 1992, and moved to Kansas City. He has been playing live and occasionally recording in the bands The Gweedles, The Peaceniks, Linoleum Blownaparte’, and currently X-RAY GLASSES and They Only Look Familiar (with fellow ex-The Shapes guitarist Layne Brock). He has opened shows for Billy Squire, and Los Lobos. He also recently toured with Buddy Holly tribute artist Johnny Rogers and guitarist Tommy Allsup, and guest appearance by Bobby Vee.

Eric Elwell is a successful engineer and producer in Nashville, TN working both live and in the studio with many artists including Shooting Star, Giant, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Vince Gill, Leanne Rimes, Jo Dee Messina, Neil Diamond, Rev. Billy Graham, Jewel, and presently Billy Currington, as well as television production for NBC’s “3 Wishes” series and broadcast mixes for Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits festivals.

Stan Hartman continues to live in Wichita, KS and has been involved playing music in bands As We Speak who opened for Billy Squire and The Romantics. He is currently performing live and recording with the band Against the Grain that has opened for Diamond Rio and Tracy Byrd.

Shaun Ray continues to live in Wichita, KS and has just recently started playing guitar again the past few years.

June Goering is living outside of Lawrence, KS and is not involved in music.