The Los Angeles punk music scene circa 1980 is the focus of this film. With Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, and X.
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Title: The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
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Cast
| Credited cast: | |||
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Alice Bag Band | ... |
Themselves
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Alice Bag | ... |
Lead Singer, The Alice Bag Band
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Claude Bessey | ... |
Catholic Discipline /
Vocalist
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Black Flag | ... |
Themselves
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Don Bolles | ... |
Drummer, The Germs
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Dinah Cancer | ... |
Herself
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| Exene Cervenka | ... |
'X' - vocals
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Circle Jerks | ... |
Themselves
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Philo Cramer | ... |
Fear Guitar
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Darby Crash | ... |
Lead Singer, The Germs
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| John Doe | ... |
'X' - vocals, bassist
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Lorna Doom | ... |
Bassist, The Germs
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Fear | ... |
Themselves
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Frank Gargani | ... |
Appears as Himself
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Bill Gazzarri | ... |
Himself
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
The Los Angeles punk music scene circa 1980 is the focus of this film. With Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, and X. Written by Rich Swenson <swenson@haas.berkeley.edu>
Plot Keywords:
band | punk | title directed by female | archive footage | los angeles california |Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
19 March 2016 (Japan) See more »Also Known As:
Падение западной цивилизации See more »Box Office
Budget:
$100,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono
Edit
Let start off by first saying that I have been a punk fan most of my life. I always kind of had a lack of respect for the LA scene of the early 80's, which The Decline of Western Civilization documents, with the exception of X and Black Flag, being more of New York and English punk guy. After I saw this movie that completely changed. The people shown may look like a bunch of idiotic, strung out kids who think they might accomplish something beyond street-Cree through their lifestyles, but it is a great display of hedonism at it's best, coupled with some fun, loud rock n roll. One of the best scenes, and actually most insightful, is the interview with Claude Bessy of Catholic Discipline, or 'Kick-Boy' as he was known to Slash magazine readers. Originally from France, he rants about punk like a dirty old Frenchman and clues in viewers to many aspects of the punk, or DIY, attitude to music, politics, and life in general. Darby Crash of the Germs comes off as a complete idiot most of the time, but the Germs' performance of Manimal is pretty decent, complete with a young Pat Smear. Black Flag's performance with Chavo Pederast on vocals (it was filmed a couple of years before Henry Rollins joined the band) is decent, and X and FEAR give the best performances in the movie. Look out for the interviews with the young punk kids. You'll hear some of the funniest things you have ever heard in a documentary. Highly recommended.