American Hardcore (2006)

The History of American Punk Rock 1980-1986

Director:

Paul Rachman

Writer:

Steven Blush

Stars:

Lucky Lehrer, Vic Bondi, Ian MacKaye

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lucky Lehrer	...	Himself
Vic Bondi	...	Himself
Joe Keithley	...	Himself (as Joey 'Shithead' Keithley)
Keith Morris	...	Himself
Angie Sciarappa	...	Herself
Nancy Barile	...	Herself
Mike Watt	...	Himself
David Markey	...	Himself (as Dave Markey)
Jordan Schwartz	...	Himself
Howard Saunders	...	Himself
Perry Webb	...	Himself
Ian MacKaye	...	Himself
Bobby Steele	...	Himself
Greg Hetson	...	Himself
Richard 'Crispy' Crammer	...	Himself

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

interview | punk rock | drug use | mohawk haircut | hate | 

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Genres:

Documentary | History | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language including sex and drug references

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 September 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

American Hardcore: The History of American Punk Rock 1980 - 1986

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$18,102 (USA) (22 September 2006)

Gross:

$278,785 (USA) (12 January 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

AHC Productions, Envision Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References Frankenstein (1931)

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Soundtracks

"Pay To Cum"
Written by Paul 'H.R.' Hudson (as P. Hudson), Gary 'Dr. Know' Miller (as G. Miller),
Darryl Jenifer (as D. Jenifer), Earl Hudson (as E. Hudson)
Performed by Bad Brains
Caroline/EMI Records
© Bad Brains Publishing (ASCAP) 1979
Used by Permission

User Reviews

Muddled Albeit Heartfelt

Too young for hardcore and too young for grunge, I had to learn about most of the bands in Paul Rachman's documentary American HARDCORE after their demise or during their declining years. The emptiest screening I attended at the festival, Rachman covers the oft-overlooked hardcore music scene of the early 1980s via a montage of maps, concert footage, and talking head interviews. Feeling like it was edited with a food processor, American HARDCORE does a fair job of cracking the lid on the hardcore scene but doesn't come close to presenting the material in any kind of cohesive way.

While the footage and photos of these myriad classic bands are fun to see (and the music is a blast), the film's narrative thrust is a muddled mess and some bands are conspicuously missing (old cliques die hard?). Hopefully a soundtrack will come from this.