Newport Beach, Calif. — The West Coast premiere of Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of the Hollywood Vampires took place on October 22, 2026, at the Newport Beach Film Festival’s Lido Theater. The screening featured a post-film Q&A with director Daniel E. Catullo III and select musicians associated with the band. The documentary explores the excesses and losses associated with the 1970s rock scene and its influence on later generations of musicians. The modern Hollywood Vampires features Alice Cooper, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, actor and musician Johnny Depp, and guitarist and producer Tommy Henriksen.
Inside the Documentary
Directed by music documentarian Daniel E. Catullo III, Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of the Hollywood Vampires examines the original drinking club and the modern band’s history.
The film examines brotherhood, fame, excess, loss, and music as a source of creative connection. It pays tribute to musicians associated with Cooper’s original Hollywood Vampires circle, including Keith Moon, John Lennon, and Jimi Hendrix.
Catullo traces the band’s history through archival footage, recording sessions, and live performances, including footage from Rock in Rio and Wembley Arena. Interviews with Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry, and Tommy Henriksen examine the relationships among the band’s members.
The Newport Beach Film Festival Screening
The documentary screened on October 22, 2026, at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach, California. Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of the Hollywood Vampires was selected as the Newport Beach Film Festival’s closing-night documentary feature.
Former MTV and VH1 host Matt Pinfield moderated the post-screening Q&A at the documentary’s West Coast premiere.
The Q&A featured Hollywood Vampires guitarist and producer Tommy Henriksen, Stone Temple Pilots co-founder Robert DeLeo, and bassist Chris Wyse. The participants discussed the band’s development, touring history, and tributes to influential rock musicians. Director Daniel E. Catullo III also discussed how the documentary portrays Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, and Joe Perry.
The Origins of the Hollywood Vampires
Alice Cooper helped establish the original Hollywood Vampires drinking club in the early 1970s. Other musicians associated with the circle included John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson, Keith Moon, and Jimi Hendrix. The club became associated with heavy drinking and the excesses of parts of the 1970s rock scene.
The modern Hollywood Vampires features Alice Cooper, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, and actor and musician Johnny Depp among its members. The group pays tribute to musicians associated with Cooper’s original 1970s drinking club, keeping their musical legacy in the public eye.
The modern band’s story also touches on survival and the consequences of excess in rock music. Through its music, the group revisits aspects of 1970s rock history while honoring musicians who influenced its members.
How the Modern Supergroup Came Together
Alice Cooper and Johnny Depp met while working on the 2012 film Dark Shadows in London, a connection that helped lay the groundwork for the modern Hollywood Vampires. Depp had played in bands before achieving widespread fame as an actor and continued pursuing music throughout his acting career. The two bonded over their shared interest in music and began playing together. They later revived the Hollywood Vampires name as a tribute to Cooper’s original drinking club from the early 1970s. Cooper took the lead vocals, while Depp and Joe Perry played guitar alongside guitarist and producer Tommy Henriksen.
The modern Hollywood Vampires debuted in 2015. That year, the band released its self-titled debut album, featuring guest appearances by Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Joe Walsh.
Since then, the band has toured internationally.
The Music: Classic Rock, Covers, and Original Material
The Hollywood Vampires blend hard rock and garage-punk influences, drawing on the musical traditions associated with the original club.
The band’s 2015 self-titled debut album includes cover versions honoring musicians associated with Cooper’s original drinking club.
The Hollywood Vampires pay tribute to Jimi Hendrix with their cover of “Manic Depression.” The band also pays tribute to John Bonham and Keith Moon with covers of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” and The Who’s “My Generation,” respectively.
The band’s second album, Rise, was released in 2019 and combines original songs with the group’s rock influences. The album includes original songs such as “Who’s Laughing Now” and “The Boogieman Surprise.”
The Supergroup’s Legacy and Cultural Significance
Rock supergroups have formed across several generations. Like other supergroups, the Hollywood Vampires bring together musicians with established careers of their own and combine original material with covers honoring influential rock artists.
Since forming in 2015, the Hollywood Vampires have performed alongside their members’ other professional commitments. The band’s repertoire includes tributes to earlier generations of rock musicians. Through covers, original songs, and guest appearances, the band introduces the work of earlier rock musicians to audiences across generations.
Conclusion
Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of the Hollywood Vampires explores rock history, musical camaraderie, and the lasting influence of musicians who came before the band.
Through musical collaboration and tributes to influential rock artists, the film examines how the Hollywood Vampires connect contemporary audiences with rock history. After premiering at the Boston Film Festival in September 2026, where it won Best Feature Documentary and Best Music, the film continued its festival run with a West Coast premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Sources:
Newport Beach Film Festival — Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of The Hollywood Vampires
Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of the Hollywood Vampires — Official Film Website — Documentary
The Lido Theater — NBFF Presents: Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of The Hollywood Vampires
Alice Cooper — PRESS RELEASE – Legendary Hollywood Vampires Rise Again
Screen Daily — 2026 Newport Beach fest unveils ‘Frampton’ opening night film, honorees
Editor’s Disclaimer: This article draws on event information, documentary materials, and published sources concerning the Hollywood Vampires and their history. Descriptions of the documentary reflect the film’s content and the sources consulted.
