I have listened to several different kinds of punk rock throughout the years, both 'mainstream' and hardcore, and not having been an acolyte of the whole punk movement, I still like some of what I heard. But my first exposure to the world of "queercore" was NNTN, and I had never heard anything like it before. I got so into it that I bought a copy for my best friend and trainer and got myself another one. I had not encountered another artist who was this refreshingly masculine, pig-nasty, political and confrontational before, save once. It's like Henry Rollins came bursting out of the closet like some phallus-driven, foul-mouthed gay Superman with a 'hella' attitude.
All I needed to complete my "Nick fix" was to see him perform live. I haven't, but Howie Skora's documentary goes a live performance one better...It shows the soul of an artist trying to deal with his sexuality, duality and his bone-deep rage at the unfairness and hypocrisy of what one comes up against when trying to establish a place for themselves, as they really are, in today's PC-obsessed gay society. In a word, this is some awesome effin' stuff!!! Thanks to Howie for getting this all down on video for posterity, and to Nick, Rachel, Ben, Lucky and the whole amazing cast of characters for allowing us a good, long look into what NNTN really is all about. Funny, heartbreakingly sad, infuriating and jaw-dropping, this is a story of a man who is taking on the world AND his own personal demons, winning and losing many battles and still slogging his way through the war, while his friends try to stand with him...or at least behind him, in case somebody decides to throw something! But seriously, check this out, and for a stark contrast, make it a double feature with NAKED FAME.