The Decline of Western Civilization

Buy This Item The Decline of Western Civilization  Available from Amazon  $25.00  on 11-26-2008     Centered on the early '80s punk movement, this remains the best of Penelope Spheeris's three attempts to chronicle the musical and angst-ridden subculture of urban Los Angeles. The film's style, like the music, is abrasive, frank, and packed with energy, as it moves swiftly from hilarious band and fan interviews to the loud, raucous shows inside seedy L.A. nightclubs. Despite its tongue-in-cheek title, Spheeris neither condemns, nor glamorizes, the movement, though she definitely has an eye for talent and thankfully plays favorites. Lesser acts like Alice Bag Band and Catholic Discipline are given minimal screen time (enough so we understand why they've been forgotten) in favor of bands that either possess off- stage charisma (Circle Jerks) or onstage potency (Fear's finale, winding their audience up with insults, is punk in its purest form). And, then there are X and Germs lead singer, Darby Crash. These two subjects comprise the majority of the film, as Spheeris hangs around their houses, captures numerous performances, and presents the movement's peak performers. While X does it mostly onstage--their mix of thrash and rockabilly are the most enjoyable of the live performances--Crash's stage is everywhere. A walking disaster, the singer candidly details--with simultaneously self-mocking humor and sadness--his drug abuse, miserable life, and the places that no longer let him play. The fact that he died shortly after production stamps Spheeris's brazen time capsule with a morbid, though appropriate, epitaph. <i>--Dave McCoy</i> Reader Reviews love love love this movie... was living in or near LA during this era and it was alive! ..Billy Zoom looking like Mr. Clean or some guy from a larger than life 30's socialist propaganda poster come to life against the originally grungy background... the beauty of Darby Crash...even if he is the later-arriving, less talented poorer-man's Iggy Pop you see the list of bands... it was amazing and is so well documented.. when it is out and legit i will pay... i have seen it 9 times... i showed it 8 times while in college and was lucky enough to be at a friend's friend's house once since.. i will be buying a few copies for some of my younger true punk friends too.. not the corporate punk numbskulls who dont even know what they dont know, but some young folks who want something genuine and with artistic integrity, even if that is all it has this truly rocks... part of the history of the day the music undied... the zombie living dead rebirth (okay, Iggy and Ramones and NY Dolls,LA . et al maybe rebirth... this is the zombie toddler stage ;-D) of American Music...

The Decline of Western Civilization Available from Amazon Price: $25.00 Updated on 11-26-2008.

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