American Hardcore: The History of American Punk Rock 1980–1986 is a 2006 documentary film directed and produced by Paul Rachman and written by Steven Blush.A Rebel Director Gets His Pick - The New York Times It is based on the 2001 book American Hardcore: A Tribal History also written by Blush. It had its world premiere at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and was released on September 22, 2006 on a limited basis by Sony Pictures Classics. The film features some early pioneers of the hardcore punk music scene including Bad Brains, Black Flag, D.O.A., Minor Threat, Minutemen, SSD, and others.Billboard.com It was released on DVD by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on February 20, 2007.
Synopsis The film addresses the birth and evolution of hardcore punk rock from 1978 to 1986 (although the packaging says 1980-1986). The documentary boasts extensive underground footage shot during the height of the hardcore movement. It features exclusive interviews with early hardcore punk music artists from bands such as Black Flag, Minor Threat, Bad Brains, and many more.
Interviewees
Production The film was shot and edited over five years with many clips of 80s hardcore bands being sent in by the bands themselves. Some of the footage was shot by director Paul Rachman in the 80s.
Many of the interviews were actually done in both Paul Rachman's and Steven Blush's apartments in different areas to make it seem like they were done in different locations.
The film also features the photography of Edward Colver notably and principally, and his shot of Danny Spira from Wasted Youth covered in blood was used for the book cover.
Reception Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the a score of 69 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
Soundtrack
Track listing Nervous Breakdown – Black Flag Out of Vogue – Middle Class Pay To Cum – Bad Brains Fucked Up Ronnie – D.O.A. Red Tape – Circle Jerks Filler – Minor Threat I Remember – MDC Nic Fit – Untouchables Kill a Commie – Gang Green Boston Not L.A. – The Freeze Straight Jacket – Jerry's Kids Boiling Point – SSD Who Are You/Time To Die – Void Came Without Warning – Scream Enemy for Life – YDI Runnin' Around – D.R.I. Don't Tread On Me – Cro-Mags Friend or Foe – Negative Approach Bad Attitude – Articles of Faith Think For Me – Die Kreuzen I Hate Sports – 7 Seconds Brickwall – Big Boys I Was a Teenage Fuckup – Really Red I Hate Children – The Adolescents My Mind's Diseased – Battalion of Saints Ha Ha Ha – Flipper Victim In Pain – Agnostic Front Source:
References
Bibliography Blush, Steven (2001). American Hardcore: A Tribal History. Second ed., 2010. Feral House. .
External links
An Interview with director Paul Rachman
Featured rock photographer Edward Colver's website