American Hardcore

Doctor J

Sorry to interrupt the ongoing and fascinating Green Day debate, but this might be of interest to some of you, it's currently being shown at the Sundance Film Festival, so may make an appearance in the IFI at some stage. Wouldn't mind seeing some of the early ST footage myself :v:

Fraggle Rocks

Yeah ive heard of it, Mr. Brett and Hetson among others are in it.

Fraggle Rocks

Yeah ive heard of it, Mr. Brett and Hetson among others are in it.

StJimmy

Looks quite interesting...think I'll go if it does come to IFI.

ferdi

how will we know if its on in the ifi?

Doctor J

http://www.irishfilm.ie/

ferdi

duh :rolleyes:

Doctor J

Yeah

ANarcho-Munk

Blush is supposed to be a bit dodgey. I've heard some negative reactions to his book.

ANarcho-Munk

From a myspace bulletin from DYS.

"American Hardcore" at Sundance
Body: So... just got back from Park City where I went to support Steve Blush, Paul Rachman and the film "American Hardcore" which made its festival debut at Sundance.

First, the film. As much as I liked the book, I liked the film even better. Steve and Paul really capture the energy and delivery behind hardcore in a way that the printed page never can. Its more impactful, emotional and - surprisingly - funny in a way the book couldn't be.

A mix of new interviews shot over the last year or two, archival interviews and performance footage, news reel and graphics, the film covers the over-arching national bands (Bad Brains, Black Flag), the regional king pins, the personalities, the politics and the sub-plots that made up Hardcore from 1979 or 1980 to 1986 or 1987. The creation, the rise, the fall.

The expected media figures come across great: Henry Rollins, who really digs into what Flag was all about, Ian who is nicely counter pointed in his earnest, intellectual ways by a cutting, cynical and very funny Brian Baker. Harley Flannigan who almost steals sections as the thuggish but insightful rascal king of NY Hardcore, like a character from "Gangs of New York" gone punk. Its great to see the Bad Brains get their due as the band EVERYONE worshiped for their music, yet were frustrated by in every other way. Boston, its personalities and bands, gets a better shake than in the book.

The film makers also overlay the political climate of the time, from Reagan one to administration number two.

The movie ends like hardcore did. Not with a bang, but with a whimper. Its suggested that, by the second Reagan term, the founders burned out, gave up, lots their audiences or tried to sell-out. Funny footage of an arty Black Flag, and the "Metal" Gang Green, SSD and DYS. My take is that nothing this full-on can last...

As for the scene, Sudance is... LA with snow. Bling, free luxury goods, the people, you know...

There was a great premiere party, with the Circle Jerks and DOA playing the Star Bar, sponsored by Vans (great gift bag). I hung out with Joey and Randy Rampage (back in DOA!)for the first time in more years than I want to admit. Still great guys.

Funny, Metallica was playing across the street for a Cargo magazine party (in a club, Harry O's) and "American Hardcore" still had a line down the block. I admit to leaving for a few to check them out live.

DOA also played acoustic at the Gibson lounge.

All in, great movie, great trip and Steve and Paul couldn't have treated me better.

See the movie when it comes out!