Music Documentaries Part 1

This year has been a lazy trip. Instead of actually doing my homework I ended up watching documentaries on music scenes and eccentric bands and musicians. So this is a list of some great ones.

Fugazi- Instrument

I have never been a huge Fugazi fan ,but this film convinced me that there is a reason why this band is widely considered the end all and be all of post-hardcore. Collectively there is times in this film where they play off each other like they are more like jazz players, layering on sound after sound making beautiful music. My only problem about the documentary is that it is more like a collage of live shows ,though there is some interviews cut in here and there it is more like going to the best shows Fugazi ever played. Highly recommended. 

GG Allin: Hated

There isn't much that can be said about GG Allin that hasn't either been said by his fans or his critics. GG Allin is the most vile and wretched of people ,but every second in this film you always want to question why these things happened. I can't forget the poo slinging, penis dangling and split heads in this film , Oh and music and stuff..... The whole film is linked above for your twisted pleasure.

Minutemen: We Jam Econo 

The Minutemen far exceeded the title of hardcore punk they received during the 80s. I believe Bryan even said they were "Modest Mouse before Modest Mouse ever existed", which totally makes sense some how. This band made eccentric and politically relevant music which I can only describe as possibly being post-punk. The Minutemen band constantly were drawing in multiple influences from old bands and new bands through out their career. This documentary brought me love Double Nickels on the Dime and mourn the death of their guitarist, D.Boone. This documentary brings you into the relationship of the entire band using clips from old shows , the last interview they ever had together as a band and new interviews with Mike Watt, the bassist, and George Hurley, the drummer.  Great doc.

The Flaming Lips-  The Fearless Freaks

This documentary shows the career of the most progressive bands out there. They are constantly changing their sound and just recently made a 24 hour song called 7 Skies H3. I was never a Flaming Lips fan ,but after watching this I just can't stop listening to "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots". This documentary is less focused on the music and more focused on the lives of its members Wayne Coyne ,Steven Drozd and Michael Ivins. Good doc, click the poster to watch it on Hulu.

I will add a few more concerning music scenes and also have my top albums of this year so watch out for those.

-Starlon Hithe