First let me get out this out of the way... Unlike most of the people who have previously reviewed this film, I'm not a fan of Les Claypool or Primus. I never really got into their music, although after seeing this film, I definitely have a whole new respect for the guy. Anybody who can do something that completely makes fun of their own art form, deserves a modicum of respect, because they are at ease with themselves and with the world.
I checked this film out on a whim. And I was hugely satisfied. This movie isn't laugh-out-loud hilarious, and in fact the jokes will probably only be found funny to mainly musicians or fans of the jam band scene. Myself, being a musician, and a fan of certain groups on that scene, found it to be hilarious.
Les Claypool does a great job as Lapdog, their overtly confident and technical freak of a drummer (and who knew Les could play the drums so well? I certainly didn't). The scene where he's discussing drums and drummers with Matt Abst of Gov't Mule is priceless! The other members of the group all have their quirks and ticks. Gordo especially. He has an idolatry of Jerry Garcia that is unmatched, to the point where he has a customized guitar to match Jerry's style (with a dash of Warren Haynes), has a tortilla that supposedly bears Jerry's image (which Bob Weir, in a quick cameo, quickly refutes as possibly just being Jesus, in his many appearances on food), and punches out a bartender who was talking smack about Apricot and Jerry. A little cinematic slap-in-the-face to the neigh-sayers, perhaps...?
Most of the cameos are spot-on. Seth Green and Matt Stone as "Tapers" arguing about which kind of microphone is better is absolute genius. Arj Barker as Apricot super-fan "The Cube" was a bit weak. It just seemed to me that he was essentially playing the same character that he plays on "Flight of the Conchords", although he can bring a big tray of "special brownies" to my house any day.
Dian Bachar (whom "South Park" fans will know as the voice of Satan's lover "Chris", or as 'Squeak' from "Baseketball") is probably the best cameo in the film. He plays an overeager music school graduate who longs to go on the road as Electric Apricot's roadie, which again for me hits home, since I am also currently in school for music and have done internships at recording studios. Not that I was ever overeager or anything like that, nor have I ever been sacked from a job for being overeager, but I do long to be on the road, but as a musician and not a roadie (although in the Philly indie music scene, we're our own roadies).
Overall the film is very well done, although some may be put off by the very specific jokes and references. But I assure you, if you liked Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind, or Bad News, you will love Electric Apricot.
I checked this film out on a whim. And I was hugely satisfied. This movie isn't laugh-out-loud hilarious, and in fact the jokes will probably only be found funny to mainly musicians or fans of the jam band scene. Myself, being a musician, and a fan of certain groups on that scene, found it to be hilarious.
Les Claypool does a great job as Lapdog, their overtly confident and technical freak of a drummer (and who knew Les could play the drums so well? I certainly didn't). The scene where he's discussing drums and drummers with Matt Abst of Gov't Mule is priceless! The other members of the group all have their quirks and ticks. Gordo especially. He has an idolatry of Jerry Garcia that is unmatched, to the point where he has a customized guitar to match Jerry's style (with a dash of Warren Haynes), has a tortilla that supposedly bears Jerry's image (which Bob Weir, in a quick cameo, quickly refutes as possibly just being Jesus, in his many appearances on food), and punches out a bartender who was talking smack about Apricot and Jerry. A little cinematic slap-in-the-face to the neigh-sayers, perhaps...?
Most of the cameos are spot-on. Seth Green and Matt Stone as "Tapers" arguing about which kind of microphone is better is absolute genius. Arj Barker as Apricot super-fan "The Cube" was a bit weak. It just seemed to me that he was essentially playing the same character that he plays on "Flight of the Conchords", although he can bring a big tray of "special brownies" to my house any day.
Dian Bachar (whom "South Park" fans will know as the voice of Satan's lover "Chris", or as 'Squeak' from "Baseketball") is probably the best cameo in the film. He plays an overeager music school graduate who longs to go on the road as Electric Apricot's roadie, which again for me hits home, since I am also currently in school for music and have done internships at recording studios. Not that I was ever overeager or anything like that, nor have I ever been sacked from a job for being overeager, but I do long to be on the road, but as a musician and not a roadie (although in the Philly indie music scene, we're our own roadies).
Overall the film is very well done, although some may be put off by the very specific jokes and references. But I assure you, if you liked Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind, or Bad News, you will love Electric Apricot.