“…SO GOOD I CAN’T TAKE IT.”

Directed by Kirk LeClaire | USA, 81 mins

Q&A with director Kirk LeClaire and Billings native John Dahl after the film.

A 81 minute survey of Montana punk rock, new wave and experimental music from the late 1970s to the early 90’s. Features material culled from shoe boxes and dark closets documenting over 20 of the states wildest bands and their local scenes.

Personal interviews are supplemented with a treasure trove of 16mm, Super-8’s and VHS tapes of live performances, archival recordings, recent tape transfers and much more. Many of the recording are seeing the light of day for the first time.

Director Kirk LeClaire wrote, filmed, edited and traveled the state gathering material and interviewing many of the major figures in the movement. This is an exploration of a time and place in which music was changing and the boundaries of style were in flux in a place just left of center. The last best punk place.

This film charts the nascent beginnings of a group of Montanans whom would one day climb the charts, become rock stars, play with Leonard Bernstein, sell ice cream and find a Hollywood dream, and others whom reflect back to a time when “…it was so good they just couldn’t take it”


Special Guest John Dahl is a Billings native who graduated from Montana State University School of Film & Photography. John’s punk band The PUGS are featured in “…so good I can’t take it.” John Dahl will be in attendance in support of the film screening at the Babcock Theatre.

After film school, John continued his film career in Hollywood directing films such as Rounders, The Last Seduction, Joy Ride, and TV shows such as House of Cards, Breaking Bad, Billions, Yellowstone, Dexter, The Americans, and more!