The Clash – Westway To The World

This documentary was released in 2000 before Joe Strummers death on December 22nd 2002.  The movie is a pretty dry re-telling of the bands history straight from interviews specially filmed for this documentary from each of the bands members. Included in the movie is a treasure trove of live footage of the band from before the first record all the way up to their last performance.  You will get a smattering of short clips of interviews from other characters from the bands past, but the interview footage is mostly from the main group members.  I definitely think that the documentary would have benefited from the inclusion of  interviews from a wider variety of people, but I guess it is what it is.  Even though the documentary comes off a little plain, I would say its a must see for big Clash fans.  If you one of those…  check it out by renting it, buying it, or just watch it on Youtube. Directed by Don Letts, the British bedreaded DJ from The Clash’s early days playing at the early London punk club The Roxy.  Bonus features include hard to find minidoc/concert film about there shows in Madison Square Garden in 1981 Clash On Broadway.

Other Clash related film projects that are worth mentioning:

The Punk Rock Movie - 1978

Rude Boy - 1980

Joe Strummer – The Future Is Unwritten – 2006 (I’ll post on this one soon)

I HATE American Idol!!

There is the obvious stuff… the music sucks, the singers are boring, and they have no talent…  I could go on and on.  The whole point of the show is to find the next big music star – and how well have they done so far?  Really only one person has found any sort of long term success – Kelly Clarkson.  But I digress, as it is not my purpose to ruminate on the status of mainstream music since I think its a complete waste of time usually (almost as bad as sports).

Mainly this show more than anything just makes me sad, because it reinforces the idea that Americans have given up on new, interesting music.  Instead they enjoy listening to these cardboard cutouts sing the same songs over and over, week after week.  Radio is the same, station after station play the same stale songs that they have been playing for a really long time.

The show premiered the same year that Bush II took office.  Bush is gone and I want this show gone too.

Our Band Could Be Your Life:  Scenes From the American Indie Underground 1981 -1991 by Michael Azerrad

Published in 2001, Michael Azerrad’s 3rd Rock book chronicles the early histories of 13 original American Indie rock/Hardcore bands.  Including the following:

Azerrad deftly puts together each of the bands histories, explaining their background, how they laid the ground work for today’s network of independent labels and venues, and explained how they influenced the world around them.   He makes careful note to qualify his decisions to cover only certain bands and out of those band to focus on their independent releases.  For example, he limits his coverage of The Replacements (one of my favorite bands) up to just after the release of Pleased To Meet Me.  One obvious omission from the book is R.E.M., having come into existence around the time the book is covering and being on independent label IRS.  Azerrad explains that he purposely did not include R.E.M. since they were one of the first Indie groups to sign to a major label and become hugely popular.  The title of the book is taken from a song by the Minutemen.

Check out some of my favorite tracks from the bands below.

You’re Gonna Miss Me – A Film About Roky Erickson

Roky Erickson was the lead singer of the late 60′s psychedelic rock band the 13th Floor Elevators.  He has always been a bit of an enigma for Rock N Roll fans as he disappeared from the scene after a few full length records.  As drugs were extremely prevalent in the psychedelic rock scene in San Francisco,  Roky started to get a little out of control and eventually got thrown into an institution after getting in trouble with the law for drugs one too many times.  He eventually got released and started making music again as a solo artist.  By this time he had increasing mental issues and he was getting back into drugs.  He eventually gave up music altogether and put himself under his Mothers care.

The movie documents his life, his music and the legal battle that his brother instigated to to wrest him away from his Mother’s care so he could help Roky get into a healthier lifestyle.

Here is the films trailer.

I was surprised a how instantly enjoyable and impressive Roky’s music was both in the Elevators and his solo stuff.  I found his story to be very interesting and I immediately started rooting for him.  The film does a fair job at telling his story with archival footage and interviews with characters from his past and other musicians that are fans. I would say what the film does best is featuring his music from over the years. Check some of my favorite tracks out below.