Film Series: The Decline of Western Civilization

The Decline of Western Civilization is a film documentary trilogy by Penelope Spheeris chronicling different elements of Los Angeles street subcultures including punk rock, heavy metal and 'gutter' punk . The films themselves are in part rock/concert footage, ethnography and genuine social commentary.

The first film in the series was shot in LA in 1979 and 1980 and was released in the summer of 1981. It is comprised of live footage and interviews of influential underground punk bands that at the time went largely unnoticed by mainstrem rock/music press including Black Flag, Germs, Circle Jerks  and many more. The film touches on the ethos of punk rock and the relationship to issues of corporate control, 'stardom,' drug use and authenticity.

The second film entitled The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years, filmed from 1986-1988 (released in '88) deals largely with the Glam Metal scene of late 80's LA and the excess and endulgence that ensued. The film contains performances and footage of metal superstars, wannabees, industry types, club owners all describing their lifestyles and perspectives on the scenes. The film contains infamous interviews with Chris Holmes of WASP intoxicated in a pool, Ozzy Osbourne speaking about sobriety and the ramifications of drug use, Steven Tyler talking about spending millions of dollars on drugs as well as appearances by Lemmy from Motorhead, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, Paul Stanley from KISS and many more. The film touches on the afformentioned issues of drug and alcohol abuse as well as misogyny and treatment of 'groupies', money, sales, celebrity among others. 

The third film in the series revisits punk culture in the late 90's and compares it to the subculture outlined in the original film in terms of aesthetic, ideology, and music. Spheeris' third film follows a group of gutter punks, mostly homeless (often by choice), transient teenagers who shut out mainstream society and opt to squat and live on the street as an embodiment of hardcore punk and anti-establishment ethos. The film features performances by underground hardcore punk bands Final Conflict, Litmus Green, Naked Aggression and The Resistance.

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Heavy Metal Parking Lot

In 1986 two aspiring film makers and pop culture enthusiasts John Heyn and Jeff Krulik had an ingenius idea for a documentary film. Get a camera and document metal heads in a parking lot before a Judas Preist concert. Shaving the footage down to 16 minutes and recording it to vhs the tapes were passed hand to hand in the earliest form of viral video and the result was astounding. The film 'Heavy Metal Parking Lot' has become a rock and pop culture cult classic and has been cited as influential by writer/director Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous, Fast Times at Ridgemont High), actor Ed Norton (American History X, Fight Club), Musician David Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) among others. See the full movie free here



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Movie Review: Lemmy

By Ian Rose

What can I say about the great Lemmy Kilmister that hasn’t already been said in his fifty year-plus career? Lemmy is God, the stuff of true legend, few could argue against it. Anybody that has ever rocked out, knowingly or not owes a lot of gratitude to the founding father of Rock N’ Roll. He was a roadie for Hendrix, he blew psychedelic minds with Hawkwind, and he dedicated his life to fast, loud, heavy as all hell music with Motorhead before thrash or punk where even musical terms. Most of all, Lemmy survived, with no compromising him and the boys of Motorhead have consistently pumped out albums nearly every year and toured the world for decades since 1975 with absolutely no signs of slowing down. 

As anybody that attended Lemmy’s most recent Toronto mass (held on February 26^th at the Kool Haus) will tell you, even at the tender age of 65 the icon does not skip a beat and delivers a note for note high paced show that can only come from Motorhead. To call him a senior seems almost heretical, but this rock n’ roll drill sergeant delivers more punch on stage then guys a third his age. So what makes this mutton chop supporting, Rickenbacker shredding, Jack Daniels guzzling, Marlboro smoking, slot-machine-playing-speed-freak with a voice of broken glass and a stripper on his lap, tick? Well luckily for us, directors Greg Olliver and Wes Orshoski embarked on a three year journey to get under the belly of the beast and give an insight to the man behind the mole.

 By no means an easy (or safe) task to create, I can say without a doubt that Lemmy provides a highly entertaining, thought provoking, badass roller coaster ride for anybody willing (or daring enough) to see it. The appeal of the documentary goes beyond the metal crowd. Lemmy is a cultural icon, and his life is the stuff of myth and lore. That is not to say that there aren’t a few surprises revealed throughout the film, showing both his bad to the bone on stage stature and his intelligent, philosophical, down to earth approach to life in general. From the opening scene of the Rock deity making fries (My God, he’s human?!) to sit down conversations with close friends and musicians, one thing is evident…Lemmy is Lemmy, there is not a fake bone in his body, and his persona is not an act, this man is the real deal. To support his case a star studded line up for metal alumni has come out to sing their praises, including everyone from Ozzy, Alice Cooper and Metallica to Dave Grohl, Joan Jett, Ice-T and Billy Bob Thornton.

At 116 minutes the movie leaves you feeling ready to take on the world, I literally felt my balls get bigger with every passing segment. The absolute treat comes in the form of the ‘Ultimate Badass Edition’, a 2 disc version loaded with hours upon hours of special features. I briefly decided to check out just one of them, and then hours later found myself up in the middle of the night having gone through only about half the content. The no-bull Motorhead Live bonus on the first disc gives a what-better-way-then-to-witness-it approach to the world of Lemmy by providing 8 live cuts of the trio performing at various locations. Disc two covers everything from the classic Clarke-Kilmister-Taylor line-up (and it’s very nice to see Fast Eddie and Phil the Animal involved in this project) to Lemmy rehearsing and performing with his disciples in Metallica. All this accompanied by features on his current band mates, Mikkey Dee and Phil Campbell, the infamous Road Crew, the dedicated Super Fans, Funny Stories from the man himself and a 747 load of others. Personal favorites would be Metallica performing as ‘The Lemmy’s’ in full costume for the frontman’s 50^th birthday, and a quick shot of a roadie passed out stage left during yet another ‘turn it up to 11’ Motorhead set.

The last of a dying breed, Lemmy is still here to wave the flag for everything that is authentic about rock n’roll. He never compromised, especially when the odds we’re stacked against him, he never gave up, even when diabetes tried to end his career. Lemmy is the embodiment of standing on your own two feet, and this documentary is an inspirational dedication to living true to yourself, and to not bending for anything but your own will. At a time when everything is either sugar coated or made up of horse manure, Lemmy has given us something to believe in, something that is true and honorable…and that is, without a doubt, exactly what we need.

-Posted by CORE Member Ian Rose

 

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