Refusing to be silenced: Punk band Ultimate Thunder fight to finish their story

Matthew Watson, supported by Hft, is the lead singer of Ultimate Thunder

A band hailed as ‘the most punk rock band in Britain’ is fighting to ensure its story is not left unfinished.

Ultimate Thunder, a Leeds-based group of musicians with learning disabilities and autism, are the subject of an intimate behind-the-scenes documentary that risks never being completed unless new funding can be found.

After three years of filming, hundreds of hours of footage captured, and a journey marked by a determination to overcome the odds, the film’s future now hangs in the balance as post-production costs loom.

The documentary has been made by independent filmmaker Ben Brown, who was first introduced to the band through Leeds arts charity The Pyramid of Arts.

The charity initially approached Ben to make a short film about Ultimate Thunder’s frontman and lead singer, Matthew Watson, focusing on his life as an artist supported by the organisation and national learning disability charity Hft.

“They wanted a film about him as an artist,” said Ben. “But a huge part of Matthew’s life was his role as lead singer of Ultimate Thunder.

“The band means everything to him. So I started going along to rehearsals, just filming what was happening.”

That short project became Apron or Hairdryer – The Matthew Watson Experience, a playful title inspired by Matthew’s love of word association games.

Soon after the film’s release, Ultimate Thunder launched their debut album which attracted accolades from The Big Issue and The Guardian, who dubbed them ‘the most punk rock band in Britain’.

When Apron or Hairdryer was screened at the album launch in Leeds, a producer approached Ben with an idea to expand the story. The idea was to make a film about the band itself, one that could be pitched to larger film companies, so Ben kept his camera rolling.

Although the idea for a bigger film was dropped by the production company, Ben has continued filming Ultimate Thunder – who’s music is all improvised – over the last three years, capturing everything from chaotic rehearsals to raucous pub gigs across the city.

Then, just as Ultimate Thunder began gaining wider attention, The Pyramid of Arts announced funding used to support the band would be cut.

Suddenly, the future of the band was uncertain. A crowdfunding appeal was launched to keep it alive, covering essentials such as travel, accommodation and rehearsal space.

After hearing their plea for help, fellow musicians rallied behind them, including Tim Burgess of The Charlatans and acclaimed Leeds band Yard Act.

The campaign raised £20,000 and opened new doors. Ultimate Thunder was invited to perform at Kendall Calling festival and went on to support Yard Act at Millennium Square, playing to a crowd of 6,000 people — a far cry from the intimate gigs they were used to.

The unfinished documentary sees Ultimate Thunder record their first album, prepare for major festival stages and confront repeated challenges, from Matthew losing his voice and not being able to speak for months, to drummer Scott Anderson undergoing open heart surgery.

Alongside Ben’s footage, the band members themselves filmed moments of their own lives, creating a raw, personal portrait of the last three turbulent years.

The band is made up of Matthew as lead singer, Alex Sykes on synth, Kenneth Stainburn on bass, John Densley on synth and Scott Anderson on drums. James Hesslewood, who is Ultimate Thunder’s lead guitarist and founder, co manages the band with producer James Mabbett.

Matthew, 58, has been supported by the learning disability charity Hft for over a decade and lives in supported accommodation in Leeds.

The support Matthew receives from the charity has enabled him to grow in confidence, become more independent, follow his hobbies and pursue his passions and dreams.

For Matthew, music and art is a huge part of his life.

“I love being in the band,” he said. “I feel good and happy when I am on stage. Music helps me express myself.

“I want people to donate so we can finish the film and the story of Ultimate Thunder can be told.”

A new crowdfunder has now been launched to raise £20,000, to complete the final edit, pay for post-production costs and allow the film to be shared with the world.

Ben believes Ultimate Thunder’s story is too important to be left unfinished.

“The film challenges stereotypes about disability and neurodiversity by celebrating individuality, creativity and community,” he said.

“It’s not about labels. It’s about musicians chasing their dream — and refusing to be silenced.

“This is a film about the power of music to break barriers, bring people together and give voice to those too often left unheard.”

The aim is to get the film finished by February 20 so it can be premiered at the Sheffield Doc Festival, one of the biggest documentary festivals in Europe.

The Crowdfunder ends on January 20 and people are being urged to donate at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/ultimatethunderdoc

Ben said: “For Ultimate Thunder, the fight continues, not just to make music, but to ensure their voices and their story, is heard.”