Rock-afire Programming

DVD now available! Visit www.rockafiremo... for ordering info.
In the early eighties, kids all over the US flocked to Showbiz Pizza for the rides, games, and animatronic rock band, The Rock-afire Explosion. Created by 23-year-old prodigy Aaron Fechter, The Rock-afire Explosion amazed children and adults alike before being mysteriously pulled from showrooms and replaced by the now popular Chuck-E-Cheese in the early nineties.
Nearly twenty years later, still profoundly affected by his experience at Showbiz Pizza, small-town disc-jockey Chris Thrash sought out Fechter and purchased a Rock-afire band of his own. Some clever programming on Chris' part, and the band was once again performing for millions, this time on KZbin.
The Rock-afire Explosion reveals how Chris came to revive this fallen 80's gem, explores his and a number of other fan's obsessions with the animatronic band, and chronicles the rise and fall of Showbiz Pizza and what was once a 20 million dollar per-year venture for inventor Aaron Fechter. More than this, the film is a look at the importance of nostalgia, ever-changing media culture, and the eternal quest to stay young.

[@disneykid9393]

Aron is the definition of stuck in the 80's, he still uses 80's tech and hase a ton of it laying around

[@AverageJoe777]

If it isn’t broke, then don’t fix it. Unless Aaron is building new advanced animatronics with advanced movement and newer technologies, then he likely won’t change the equipment needed to use these animatronics. It would be a waste of time to switch to newer computers and other machinery if the old ones work and do the job.

[@electricwombat5967]

He actually replaced this system with a PC based one about 3 years ago

[@pastelsux]

"I could hit exit, you know, but screw that."

[@gmrgamingrm]

"I just hit play" xD

[@libertylatenight3657]

Today (January 2012) they are tearing down the original (first) Showbiz Pizza location. Blown away at how many fans are driving by and showing sadness. It was a great time to be a kid in Kansas City.

[@timothybryowsky6937]

For the contributions that you have made to this entertainment industry and the millions of smile and warm memories that will live on and on I Thank you. i do wish you had gotten a Peabody award or a Tony award. Never let your Rock-afire burn out.

[@ratbones620]

Something so sad about seeing the young, wide-eyed Aaron just getting into the business. Having no idea what would end up happening to his creation.

[@BaarBear]

i wonder if any of the programmers have a background in puppetry. It would seem that having a puppetry background would help you visualize how each character moves and expresses emotion.

[@spershall]

I am in love with this movie!!

[@guys-in9vd]

what

[@Furby_Productions]

I wish I had these animatronics

[@brylelegaspi]

i wish i owned the whole CEI

[@JesseH76]

That is sad, seems like all my favorite childhood places are torn down are have been for years. The only one still going in Colorado is Casa Bonita, which was on a South Park Episode if you're not familiar with it.

[@IHeartButtercuts]

The ironic thing is that kids today probably DON'T know what that great memory storage device known as the floppy disk was.

[@protocat21]

10 years later and yeah i can agree with that but it mostly because kids arounds my age are more interested in more newer and advanced technology

[@stagesixx]

Those floppy disks sure great memory devices!

[@DanielDGordon]

I'll be at the show at the Los Feliz 3. I live right next to the theater.

[@zippymufo9765]

Poor Chris Thrash, wound up losing his house and RAE set.

[@brian_b_music]

I heard about that. What happened to him?

[@user-channel123]

The one person who disliked this has no soul.

[@ayuu.]

2020 anyone?

[@Sunny10tv]

Me! 😁👍

[@bambcorn4ever]

Me 🙋

[@manfy0410]

I feel like Beach Bear would look better playing bass lmao

[@brylelegaspi]

why[

[@sethhorst6158]

I think that was a joke because Beaches, Oceans, and a type of fish called a Bass and the fact there's an instrument called a Bass as well.

[@alphamusic3990]

1:02 he doesn't know what's happening

[@lobot4780]

That’s Chris Thrash he knows damn well what’s happening

[@richardthorson7674]

yep dat true

[@nostalgiclad19]

XD

[@jessicamorales9018]

Is that Aaron when he was young

[@Recordable2000]

Yes

[@hgpostma2]

1:20 HAHHAA

[@thetrainandmickeymouse5652]

Wow

[@juddoesstuff5726]

Random stuff part 1: I pooped in my pants and thought it was a fart

[@Xxy_Len]

Same

[@Xxy_Len]

I mean-

[@juddoesstuff5726]

@@Xxy_Len I litterally made this two years ago and forgot about it

[@juddoesstuff5726]

@@Xxy_Len I litterally made this two years ago and forgot about it

[@Xxy_Len]

@@juddoesstuff5726 lol

[@reginacameron6315]

Someone's stuck in the past

[@M1dn1ghtclub]

Only for that building and also someone is stuck in idiot world

[@M1dn1ghtclub]

@SublimeHawk6 I just realised that

[@MrBigglessworth]

When is the DVD coming??

[@figy2927]

And now it 2017 Andy I have the install windows floppy disk

[@branmantcb]

So now its called chuck e cheeses right?

[@nostalgiclad19]

Yes

[@Xxy_Len]

Yeater world covers up this topic! *I just noticed this comment is 12 years ago*

[@BlakeAveryProductions]

If only he weren't racist

[@bloshbeeproductionsproject5557]

Is that really true?

[@BlakeAveryProductions]

@@bloshbeeproductionsproject5557 that man apparently said the n word to someone on a tour or something, I expected it. Dude's in is 60s and lives in florida so thats how it be

[@harryfoley2294]

@@BlakeAveryProductions apparently he did covers of songs that had the n word in them

[@sethhorst6158]

@@harryfoley2294 Yeah in Earl's cover of "Eve of destruction" which also altered the lyrics.

[@Bluesjet1234]

@@BlakeAveryProductions video proof???

[@KrypticAsylum]

How is that ironic?

[@sqreeze]

why should they? they are irrelevant now.