Classic Punk and Alternative Music Documentaries
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- DirectorTodd HaynesStarsJohn WatersMary WoronovBarbara WaltersThe Velvet Underground explores the multiple threads that converged to bring together one of the most influential bands in rock and roll.
- DirectorJim JarmuschStarsIggy PopJim JarmuschBob WallerAn in-depth look at legendary punk band The Stooges.
- DirectorNadya BeckBob GruenStarsDavid JohansenArthur KaneJerry NolanThis feature length documentary captures the band during early performances in New York at Kenny's Castaways and Max's Kansas City, then follows the Dolls on their tour of the west coast, including footage from the Whisky A Go Go, the Real Don Steele Show, Rodney Bingenheimer's E Club and much more. Intercut with revealing interviews, backstage banter and late night debauchery, this is THE definitive document of the New York Dolls.
- DirectorIvan KrálAmos PoeStarsBlondieDavid ByrneJohn CaleThe cream of New York new wave/punk filmed live at CBGB's when the scene was just beginning. Includes performances by Patti Smith, Blondie, Television, the Ramones, Talking Heads, the Heartbreakers, the Shirts, Wayne County, the Marbles, the Dolls, Miamis, Harry Toledo, and the Tuff Darts (w/Robert Gordon).
- DirectorJim FieldsMichael GramagliaStarsRick RubinTommy RamoneDee Dee RamoneThe story of the punk rock band The Ramones.
- DirectorJohn CafieroStarsJoey RamoneJohnny RamoneDee Dee RamoneClimb in the van, buckle your seat belt and hang on tight because you're about to experience life on the road with the founding fathers of punk rock, The Ramones! The band that started it all stars in this all encompassing video scrapbook spanning the Ramones history making career circa 1979-1996, most of which is seen here exclusively for the first time anywhere! Ramones Raw includes vintage concert footage professionally shot on film in 1980, archived and nearly forgotten for over 20 years, plus countless memorable moments from the band's illustrious career, rare TV appearances, backstage footage and LOTS more all set within the core; a plethora of home video from the Ramones personal archives. Armed with a Hi-8 camera on the road for the final 8 years of the band's world tours, Marky Ramone captured it all on tape; the good, the bad and the ugly, immortalized here your viewing pleasure. No. 1 selling Director and Ramones aficionado John Cafiero has culled the cream of the crop of "raw" footage from the Marky Ramone video library and then some, compiling and presenting it in a unique style that gives Pinheads and Ramoniacs everywhere an exclusive fly on the wall perspective that's the next best thing to actually being in the band! See Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee, Marky and CJ prove why the Ramones have stood the test of time with their simplistic yet immortal brand of music that influenced generations the world over. Also featured is an eclectic mix of guest celebrity appearances from Drew Barrymore, Carly Simon, Gilbert Gottfried, "Grandpa" Al Lewis (of "the Munsters"), Bono & U2, Debbie Harry & Chris Stein of Blondie and many more noteworthy personalities including legendary guitarist Robbie Krieger of the Doors performing the classic "Take it as it comes" live with the Ramones at the Hollywood Palladium in October 1992, touted by Johnny Ramone as "one of the highlights of my career." From their humble NYC beginnings at CBGB'S to induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Ramones have done it all. With "Ramones Raw" you'll feel like you were right there with them the whole time, standing beside one of the most important bands to break ground since the Beatles led the British invasion.
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsRon MaelRussell MaelBeckA musical odyssey through five weird and wonderful decades with Ron and Russell Mael celebrating the inspiring legacy of Sparks.
- StarsBrian EnoJon HassellDavid ToopThis documentary film - the first ever about Eno - explores his life, career and music between the years 1971 & 1977, the period that some view as his golden age. Featuring numerous exclusive interviews, contributions from a range of musicians, writers, collaborators and friends - plus performance and studio film and an abundance of the most exceptional music ever created.
- DirectorPenelope SpheerisStarsEugene TatuAlice Bag BandBlack FlagA look into the Los Angeles punk rock scene, that was largely ignored by the rock music press of the time.
- StarsBlack FlagHenry RollinsGreg GinnA record of the 1984 concert tour of the United Kingdom by the rock band Black Flag.
- DirectorBen LoganMandy SteinStarsJulian CambridgeAnthony CounteyJames DrescherBad Brains are one of the most important and influential American bands still working today. They melded punk and reggae into an innovative style that has yet to be copied. Their impact and influence can be heard in groups like Beastie Boys, No Doubt, Nirvana, Jane's Addiction and countless more. Despite the troubles of an eccentric front man they have stayed together for 30 years without ever reaching the level of success so many think they deserve. Using rare archival footage and original comic illustrations the film re-constructs Bad Brains' rich and complicated history.
- DirectorRichard OretskyStarsBad BrainsH.R.Earl HudsonThis is a musical program/documentary about the Bad Brains who are a well known black punk hardcore band performing at CBGBs for 4 nights over Christmas in 1982 It was shot at a whim and kept in vault from 1982 till 2006.
- DirectorScott CrawfordStarsFred ArmisenBrendan CantyDave Grohl"Salad Days: A Decade of Punk in Washington, DC (1980-90)" examines the early DIY punk scene in the Nation's Capital. It was a decade when seminal bands like Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Government Issue, Scream, Void, Faith, Rites of Spring, Marginal Man, Fugazi, and others released their own records and booked their own shows-without major record label constraints or mainstream media scrutiny. Contextually, it was a cultural watershed that predated the alternative music explosion of the 1990s (and the industry's subsequent implosion). Thirty years later, DC's original DIY punk spirit serves as a reminder of the hopefulness of youth, the power of community and the strength of conviction.
- DirectorJoe LosurdoChristina TillmanStarsSteve AlbiniVic BondiScotty BrownYou Weren't There: a History of Chicago Punk 1977-1984 is a documentary that looks back on the impact that the Punk movement had on the Windy City. Though overlooked in the annals of Rock history (compared to media centric LA, NYC and London), Chicago served as an important early supporter of the Punk movement in America. "You Weren't There" talks to the DJ's, musicians, promoters, artists and fans who were pivotal in creating the Chicago Punk scene. It also showcases classic archival footage of great Chicago bands such as, Effigies, Naked Raygun, Strike Under, Articles of Faith, as well as lesser known greats like Silver Abuse, DA, The Subverts, Savage Beliefs, Negative Element, Rights of the Accused and many, many more.
- DirectorUrban LassonStarsJay Dee DaughertyLenny KayeIvan KrálPSG captured live in Stockholm Oct 3, 1976.
- DirectorSteven SebringStarsPatti SmithLenny KayeOliver RayAn intimate portrait of poet, painter, musician and singer Patti Smith that mirrors the essence of the artist herself.
- DirectorAdam SmallPeter StuartStarsM. Otis BeardDennis DanellBrent LilesA documentary following the 1982 tour of punk bands Youth Brigade and Social Distortion.
- DirectorTony GaytonStarsHerbert AbrahamsJeremy AyersBar-B-Q KillersLed by the success of the B-52's and R.E.M., Athens, Georgia was the most happening music scene in the country by the mid 80's/ Following several different bands from different genres, this film paints Athens as a magical artistic environment where bands are not in competition, but co-exist in harmony. Live performances of R.E.M.'s "Swan Swan H" and "Dream (All I Have To Do)" at the Lucy Cobb Institute chapel are included. Also featured are performances and interviews frm the B-52's, Pylon, B-B-Que Killers, Time Toy, Jim Herbert, Flat Duo Jets, Love Tractor, Kilkenny Cats, Squalls, and more.
- DirectorDerek BurbidgeStarsWall of VoodooStan RidgwayMarc MorelandLive performances from dozens of leading early-1980s musical acts - rock, punk, ska, reggae - it's all here.
- DirectorAndrew HornStarsKlaus NomiAnn MagnusonDavid BowieHaving failed to break into professional opera in his native Germany (where, as an usher in West Berlin's Deutsche Oper, he would serenade the staff after the real performances were over) the diminutive Klaus Nomi headed for NYC in 1972. The vibrant New Wave/avant-garde gestalt of the mid/late '70's East Village proved to be fertile ground for the development of his unique talents. Working by day as a high-end pastry chef, Nomi began to stage his outlandish performances, first launching himself upon an unsuspecting public at the New Wave Vaudeville in 1978. The hip and cynical young audience was stunned by this weird combination of falsetto arias, booming classical orchestration, Kraftwerk-style electronica, futuristic costumes and outer space imagery. An odd assortment of artists, choreographers, designers, songwriters and musicians jumped on to the Nomi bandwagon and the phenomenon began to take off - first attracting thousands to South Manhattan events (including performances at the legendary Max's Kansas City) and culminating in a recording contract with the French division of RCA. With the release 'Klaus Nomi' in 1981 and 'Simple Man' in 1982, it looked as if Nomi was on the verge of superstardom. Having established himself in Europe, he made a triumphant return to New York City. But Nomi's moment of glory proved to be his swansong. Within only a few months Nomi had succumbed to the ravages of AIDS. One of the first celebrities to be killed by this mysterious new disease, Nomi died a lonely death, largely abandoned by those who had seen him as a passport to their own success. Today, the otherworldliness of 'The Cold Song' and 'Dido's Lament' is like an ethereal voice calling from beyond the grave.
- DirectorChad FreidrichsStarsByron ColeyCalvin JohnsonBarry Hansen"The longest-running, weirdest, loneliest enigma in popular music is a guy from Texas who calls himself Jandek." Jandek on Corwood is the 89-minute documentary that explores this man, his world and his music.
- DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsDavid ByrneBernie WorrellAlex WeirConsidered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time, the live performance was shot over the course of three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theater in December of 1983 and features Talking Heads' most memorable songs.
- DirectorCesare PierleoniStarsBernie WorrellJerry HarrisonDolette McDonaldA fantastic performance in Rome that was filmed for broadcast taking place just two months after the release of 'Remain In Light'.
- DirectorAngélique BosioStarsJoe ColemanRichard HellRichard KernDiscover the New York underground scene during the 80s and throw yourself into an exciting, anarchic and repulsive world that you won't forget.
- DirectorHeinz-Jürgen BernhardStarsWilfried RottTeenage Jesus and the JerksLydia LunchThe "No New York Festival" on a tour of Europe. This concert is at SO36, Kreuzberg, Berlin, where a sprawling variety of bands and musicians related to the NNNF performed.
- DirectorDrew DeNicolaOlivia MoriStarsBilly AltmanJon AuerLester BangsBig Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is a feature-length documentary film about the dismal commercial failure, subsequent massive critical acclaim, and enduring legacy of pop music's greatest cult phenomenon, Big Star.
- DirectorGerald CasaleChuck StatlerStarsBob CasaleGerald CasaleDevoThe Men Who Make the Music combines concert footage from DEVO's 1978 tour with music videos and interstitials featuring a vague story about DEVO's rocky relationship with "Big Entertainment."
- StarsBob CasaleGerald CasaleMark MothersbaughIt's becoming rare nowadays for full length show to have survived from this era, but that's what you get here. Devo Live 1980 features the August 17th show at the Phoenix Theatre, Petaluma in 1980.
- DirectorJonathan SequeiraStarsAlley BreretonWarwick GilbertPip HoyleA group of outsiders get together in 1974 Sydney, and RADIO BIRDMAN is born with a mission - to keep compromise from their art. Birdman are turned off and kicked out of venue after venue. Their determination to do things their own way, against the industry, is unwavering, and drives them together - they become a family as much as a band. A 'New Race' of disaffected youth gain a rallying point when Birdman start their own venue, 'The Funhouse', and release their own records. But the intensity that drives Radio Birdman causes their break up. 20 years later they reform. Have they found peace with their struggle against the industry and each other?
- DirectorDon LettsStarsK.K. BarrettRoberta BayleyJello BiafraA documentary on the music, performers, attitude and distinctive look that made up punk rock.
- DirectorPaul RachmanStarsGreg GinnIan MacKayeJames DrescherThe History of American Punk Rock 1980-1986
- DirectorWolfgang BüldStarsGaye AdvertJack AirportArturo BassickA contemporary documentary covering the Great British punk rock explosion of 1977.
- DirectorSini AndersonStarsKathleen HannaCarrie BrownsteinKim GordonA look at the life of activist, musician, and cultural icon Kathleen Hanna, who formed the punk band Bikini Kill and pioneered the "riot grrrl" movement of the 1990s.
- DirectorDon LettsStarsSoo CatwomanSteve StrangeRobin BanksDocumentary on the London punk-rock scene, circa '78.
- DirectorTim IrwinStarsMilo AukermanJoe BaizaKevin BarrettA feature-length documentary chronicling early 80's punk rock band the Minutemen, from their beginnings in San Pedro, California, to their demise after the death of singer D. Boon in 1985.
- DirectorDan GrahamStarsCraig BrombergIan MacKayeMinor ThreatA document of Minor Threat, a "hardcore" band from Washington D.C., in a performance at CBGB in New York, Dec 18, 1982. Distinguished from punk music in that it developed in suburban areas, hardcore, as typified here by Minor Threat, is seen by Graham as a tribal rite, a catalyst for the violence and frustration of its predominantly male, teenage audience. The raw quality of Graham's documentary style mirrors the crude energy of his young subjects and the hardcore subculture of the 1980s.
- DirectorLech KowalskiStarsStiv BatorsTerry ChimesThe ClashDocumentary chronicaling the rise and fall of the punk movement with rare interview footage of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen. Also concert and news footage.
- DirectorWes OrshoskiStarsGaye AdvertFred ArmisenRoger ArmstrongA history of the influential English punk band The Damned from their inception in 1976 through to 2015.
- DirectorDon LettsStarsTerry ChimesTerence DackombeTopper HeadonA career retrospective of British punk band The Clash, featuring exclusive interviews with the entire band.
- DirectorJulien TempleStarsJoe StrummerMick JonesPaul SimononOn January 1st 1977 the British band The Clash played the opening show for the infamous Roxy club in a dilapidated Convent Garden. This film takes us right back on a time-travelling journey to that moment.
- DirectorJoe ReeseStarsJello BiafraKlaus FlourideJedAn overview of the early years--late 1970s, early 1980s--of San Francisco punk band Dead Kennedys, with clips from some of their live concerts and footage of landmark San Francisco locations of the punk music scene.
- DirectorAlison EllwoodStarsThe Go-Go'sCharlotte CaffeyElissa BelloThe Go-Go's are the most successful female rock band of all time. This documentary chronicles the meteoric rise of a band born of the LA punk scene that not only captured but created a zeitgeist.
- DirectorSpike JonzeStarsBeastie BoysMike DAdam HorovitzHere's a little story they're about to tell... Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz share the story of the band, Beastie Boys, and 40 years of friendship in a live documentary experience directed by friend and collaborator, Spike Jonze.
- DirectorChrome DreamsStarsThomas ArnoldKarl BartosDiedrich DiederichsenAn in-depth look at the history of the krautrock scene, including the most successful band Kraftwerk.
- DirectorGrant GeeStarsRichard BoonAnton CorbijnKevin CumminsA chronological account of the influential late 1970s English rock band.
- This 47-minute piece of video verite captures an iconic band and front woman on the rise playing in their natural habitat: New York's legendary CBGB
- DirectorStan HarrisStarsClem BurkeJimmy DestriNigel HarrisonAs the most successful cross-over band ever, Blondie sold more than 15 million albums with a string of mega-hits. It is hard to understand why at the height of their worldwide success, Blondie abruptly called it quits. Before their break up, they performed one last spectacular concert and this is it!
- DirectorMandy SteinStarsDicky BarrettMichael BloombergClem BurkeAn East Village performance space fought against the Bowery homeless shelter who threatened to shut them down. Some of the most iconic figures in music have performed here.
- DirectorBob SmeatonStarsPaul WellerSteve BrookesRick BucklerA retrospective view of The Jam, as told through archival footage, interviews with band members, and commentary from those influenced by the band and its music.
- DirectorWilliam E. BadgleyStarsTessa PollittSid ViciousBilly IdolThe tale of the formation, journey and end of the seminal Punk/Reggae band The Slits.
- DirectorW.T. MorganStarsJohn DoeExene CervenkaBilly ZoomThis film is a documentary about the personalities in, and the music of, the early 1980's Los Angeles punk band X. There are studio and live performances by the band and interviews with band members; all nicely interspersed with footage of area DJs, record stores, old TV shows and commercials.
- DirectorDeedle LacourMatt RiggleStarsBill StevensonMilo AukermanKarl AlvarezLong before punk inflicted its puncture wound on the mainstream, the Descendents were in a van brewing a potent concoction of pop, angst, love and coffee.
- DirectorDoug PrayStars7 Year BitchValerie M. AgnewCarrie AkreDocumentary covering the growth and subsequent overexposure of the Seattle "grunge" music scene in the early 90s
- DirectorDavid MarkeyStarsSonic YouthKim GordonLee RanaldoDavid Markey's documentary of life on the road with Sonic Youth and Nirvana during their tour of Europe in late 1991. Also featuring live performances by Dinosaur Jr, Babes In Toyland, The Ramones and Gumball.
- DirectorMark RaccoStarsKurt CobainDave GrohlNirvanaOn Halloween 1991, Nirvana played live at the Paramount Theater in Seattle. Songs from both albums, "Bleach" and "Nevermind", were performed.
- DirectorKevin KerslakeStarsKurt CobainDave GrohlKrist NovoselicAn intimate look into one of the most influential bands in music, Nirvana, in this collage of performances, interviews, and touring.
- DirectorToru UeharaStarsKurt CobainDave GrohlNirvanaNirvana's concert at Reading Festival, England, August 30, 1992 - 25 tracks incl. Smells Like Teen Spirit, Lithium and Come As You Are.
- DirectorGeoffray BarbierStarsJoe BonomoPeter BuckSteve Coleman30 years ago a gang of suburban teens stumbled across a bunch of abandoned instruments and formed The Fleshtones
- DirectorMark Christopher CovinoJeff HowlettStarsBobby HackneyDavid HackneyDannis HackneyA documentary on the 1970s punk trio Death, and their new-found popularity decades after they disbanded.
- DirectorBradley BeesleyStarsBradley BeesleySteve BurnsDolly CoyneA documentary on the evolution of the Oklahoma band The Flaming Lips.
- DirectorLance BangsKim GordonSpike JonzeStarsStephen MalkmusMark IboldScott KanbergDocumentary tracing the existence of noted rock band Pavement from 1989 to their final performance in late 1999. The DVD also compiles all of their music videos, rare live footage, audio commentary from the band and directors, and two live concerts available with multiple angles.
- DirectorJulien TempleStarsJoe StrummerSteve JonesMick JonesAs the front man of the Clash from 1977, Joe Strummer changed people's lives forever. Four years after his death, his influence reaches out around the world, more strongly now than ever before.
- DirectorJoe MassotStarsThe BeatThe BodysnatchersThe SelecterDocumentary on Britain's 2 Tone Ska Era from the late seventies to the early eighties.
- DirectorMatt WolfStarsBob BlankErnie BrooksDavid ByrneDirector Matt Wolf's critically acclaimed documentary examines the life and work of Arthur Russell, an influential singer, songwriter, cello player and disco auteur who died tragically in 1992.
- DirectorDanny GarciaStarsNina AntoniaDavid ArnoffStiv BatorsThe life and times of Stiv Bators, legendary frontman of the Dead Boys and The Lords of The New Church.
- DirectorShane MeadowsStarsShane MeadowsIan BrownJohn SquireShane Meadows documents the reunion of iconic British band, The Stone Roses.
- DirectorGrant GeeStarsRadioheadThom YorkeJonny GreenwoodAn entertaining "rockumentary" about Radiohead that shows some of the tedium of being a rock star, as well as some of the fun stuff.