July18–19
A Feature Documentary by Ricky Leighton
In the middle of nowhere,
In the middle of nowhere,
we found something that changed us forever.
In rural Maine, Kathy Findlay’s underground venue becomes a refuge for isolated teenagers, where a local scene supported by bands like Agnostic Front, Terror, 100 Demons, and Slapshot offers a sense of belonging.
Watch
The Trailer
Get a first look at the story before it hits the big screen.
On Screen
Upcoming Screenings
Catch it on the big screen while it's still touring Maine theaters.
Aug08
Aug27
Oct03
Old Town Theatre
Old Town, ME Save the Date
“What began as basement hardcore shows became a refuge — for kids who had nowhere else to go.”
The Film
Downeast Hardcore: Stories from the Kave
In a quiet coastal Maine town, Kathy Findlay transforms an old barn into The Kave, an unlikely hub for the region's hardcore music scene. What begins as a small, fiercely independent venue quickly becomes something more: a refuge for teenagers who feel isolated, overlooked, or out of place.
Through loud shows, raw emotion, and a sense of unconditional acceptance, The Kave grows into a community where young people find connection and identity. At the center of it all is Kathy, whose steady presence and care create a space that is both chaotic and deeply supportive.
Downeast Hardcore: Stories from the Kave is a portrait of an underground scene and the lasting impact of a place that gave people somewhere to belong.
Featuring members of
Agnostic Front
Colin of Arabia
Full Blown Chaos
Slapshot
Cruel Hand
Outbreak
Risk
100 Demons
“We had something so good…and it was filled with a soundtrack none of us could have imagined.”— Chris S.
Word on the Street
Press
What critics, radio, and the scene itself are saying.
Rising Tide Media
On Kathy, the Kave, and Maine's hardcore & metal scene
Read the story → Maine Public — Maine CallingA radio spotlight on Maine filmmakers
Listen → Decibel MagazineQ&A with director Ricky Leighton
Read the story → All the Cores and MoreAn interview with Ricky Leighton
Read the story → The Maine PlayweekTwo Maine directors who know how to make a film
Read the story → The Maine PlayweekMIFF 29: a haven for hardcore in Maine
Read the story → The Ellsworth AmericanNew film pays tribute to Bucksport's hardcore music scene
Read the story → The Other MaineLoud. Intense. Sweaty. Life-changing.
Read the story →
About the Director
Ricky Leighton
Ricky Leighton is a filmmaker and video director from Maine whose work centers on character-driven stories rooted in place and community.
Growing up in rural Maine, he developed an early habit of documenting the people and environments around him — a perspective that still shapes the way he tells stories today.
Get In Touch
Bring the Film to Your Town
For screenings, press, or general inquiries, reach out directly.
downeasthardcore@gmail.com