BLOOD, SWEAT + VINYL: DIY IN THE 21ST CENTURY (The Scourge Productions) 2 x dvd box + sweatband + guitar pick + stickers + patch 42.00
It's a little bit difficult to know exactly what to say about this documentary, especially considering that both Andee and Allan are interviewed in it, but for lots of regular aQ list readers this one will be a no brainer. A five years in the making documentary about three of our (and filmmaker Kenneth Thomas') favorite labels, Neurot, Hydra Head and Constellation, the premise of the film being that these three labels represent a collective DIY spirit in independent music that is STILL alive and kicking. There are interviews with, music by, and live footage of Neurosis, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Pelican, Old Man Gloom, Isis, Jesu, Cave In, Shrinebuilder, A Storm Of Light, Oxbow, Grails, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, Made Out Of Babies, Evangelista, Rosetta, Thrones, and more! And, all that's interspersed with interviews with Aaron Turner from Hydra Head (and Isis), Steve Von Till (Neurosis, Harvestman), Don and Ian who run Constellation, our very own Andee and Allan, as well as various members of all of the above bands, not to mention Pete who runs Vacation Vinyl in LA, and J Bennett (who writes for Decibel and Terrorizer, as well as plays guitar in new Neurot signing Ides Of Gemini, whose demo we reviewed recently), and lots more. And more than just a bunch of cool folks from bands we dig, everyone has a lot to say about the state of independent music, and the do it yourself ethic, as well as motivations behind playing in bands, starting labels, running record stores, of everything that contributes to the sort of musical community that makes this music so special, the fact that it's so much more than the music, it's the people, and the places, the labels and the stores and the venues and the fans (and the filmmakers!), all of which are crucial to creating the sort of musical community that this film celebrates.
The interviews are cool, some are serious, others are funny, and ours of course are embarrassing, the snippets of live sets kill (where else will you get to see Do Make Say Think play "Raining Blood?!), there's even footage of the late great Old Man Gloom, a long time aQ fave for sure, and it's all deftly edited into a fairly concise, fun to watch doc, that has lots to offer beyond just all the kick ass live footage.
Beyond the doc itself, this deluxe version includes a whole extra DVD of still more performance footage, all of it pretty incredible, featuring more live jams from Isis, Grails, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra, Jesu, Do Make Say Think, Made Out Of Babies, Neurosis, Evangelista, Isis + Tim Hecker (!), Oxbow, Cave In and Pelican.
Needless to say, totally and wholeheartedly recommended (and not just cuz we're in it)!!
This is the deluxe boxset version, which comes in a cool printed box, inside both DVDs in black on black textured paper printed sleeves, a full color booklet with liner notes, as well as tons of pix and info on each of the band, the booklet too with a textured black on black printed cover, as well as a set of stickers, a silkscreened patch, a guitar pick and a BS+V sweatband!