BBB's Notebook: American Hardcore

Inspired by Steven Blush's book "American Hardcore: A tribal history" Paul Rachman's feature documentary debut is a chronicle of the underground hardcore punk years from 1979 to 1986. Interviews and rare live footage from artists such as Black Flag, Bad Brains, Minor Threat, SS Decontrol and the Dead Kennedys.

I've been seeing the trailer for this at work and I finally broke down and picked it up and I was pleasantly surprised. It's a great documentry of the hardcore punk scene in the US from 1980 until 1985 or so.

I've read a lot of reviews and a lot of people slag the film for being too vague and for leaving out too many bands but you can only fit so much in in a 2 hour film. I was surprised they left out Bad Religion even though they spoke with Brett Gurewitz, Brian Baker and Greg Hetson. (Baker and Hetson were in other influential bands before they joined BR.)

It's very well done, no narrator as they let those who lived it tell the story. Some of the violence is shocking and the political backlash is very present. I really liked it and look forward to watching it again and maybe checking out some of the more featured bands.