Punk & New Wave

The Gits

The Gits helped spearhead Seattle's emerging musical underground in the early 1990s. Their sound was proto-grunge and all out punk aggression, and the earnest, blues wail of front woman Mia Zapata was its center. At the height of the band's popularity, Mia was found raped and murdered. Over a decade later, the case file would be reopened and a suspect brought to justice, as cameras rolled. This DVD features live footage of The Gits, Evil Stig with Joan Jett and 7 Year Bitch. Includes interviews with Joan Jett, Kathleen Hanna, Valerie Agnew, Selene Vigil, members of the DC Beggars, and The Gits. Bonus features include audio commentary, featurette, stills gallery, trailers, deleted scenes, and more.

American Hardcore

The history of hardcore punk--the tougher, faster, and more politically minded stepchild of the '70s punk movement that arose in the '80s--is examined in exuberant detail in Paul Rachman's documentary American Hardcore. Rachman's cameras careen across the landscape of the U.S. to trace the movement's beginnings in cities like Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York, and cherrypicks interviews with the musicians that helped shape its sound and impact, including Henry Rollins and Greg Ginn of Black Flag, H.R. (frontman for the highly influential, all-African American outfit Bad Brains), Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat (and now Fugazi), and many others. Hardcore's violent reaction against the Reagan administration and the complacent mindset of middle-class America is also detailed in countless performance footage clips and poster-art reproductions, which do much to dismiss the popular opinion of hardcore as nothing more than mindless hooliganism. Some fans may find the omission of certain bands a considerable oversight (San Francisco's lethally satirical Dead Kennedys are not mentioned only in passing), but for most punk devotees, American Hardcore will be vital and essential viewing. The DVD includes several deleted scenes and bonus performances, commentary by Rachman and writer Steven Blush (whose book of the same name provided the inspiration for the film), and a gallery of photos from photographer Edward Colver, who covered the hardcore scene in detail during its heyday. -- Paul Gaita

Stills from American Hardcore (click for larger image)

Fueled by a ferocious soundtrack director Paul Rachman's AMERICAN HARDCORE gives fans an all-access pass to the rise and fall of the U.S. punk scene an explosive musical and cultural phenomenon that shaped everything from the grunge movement to the emo and pop/punk music currently riding the charts. Set against the conservative early '80s political landscape AMERICAN HARDCORE chronicles the homegrown hardcore scene that was a swift kick in the head to corporate rock and mainstream complacency as disaffected teens adopted the same collective credo - harder faster louder. From downtown warehouses to suburban bedrooms the scene spread from city to city like wildfire uniting bored angry outcasts into an authentic underground revolution. A raw blast of politics passion and rage AMERICAN HARDCORE features never-before-seen live footage from Black Flag Minor Threat Bad Brains MDC SSD DOA DRI The Adolescents 7 Seconds and many more plus exclusive interviews with punk icons like Henry Rollins Ian MacKaye Keith Morris and H.R. (Paul Hudson).System Requirements:Running Time: 100 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: R UPC: 043396170940 Manufacturer No: 17094

Ramones: It's Alive 1974-1996

Punk forefathers Joey Johnny Dee Dee Tommy Marky Richie and C-Jay Ramone outlasted almost every one of their legions of followers. For over twenty years they delivered their signature garage-flavored ear-shattering chainsaw level and pop-skewed sound through a string of now-classic loud-and-fast punk rock LPs and 2263 concerts together. This new two DVD set captures the essence of the legendary racket they made with over four hours of rare and previously unreleased live footage that s theclosest you can get to experiencing this blitzkrieg of a band. From their earliest performances at lower Manhattan s CBGBs tointernational festivals in front of hundreds of thousands of fans IT S ALIVE 1974 1996 is your VIP ticket to the Ramones. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 the band may be gone but their sound and influence are indestructible.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: MUSIC DVD/CONCERTS UPC: 603497048328

The Filth and the Fury - A Sex Pistols Film

"Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?" sneers Johnny Rotten at the Sex Pistols' farewell performance. After seeing this picture you'll understand his disgust, but Julian Temple's sharp portrait of the ragged, raw band of working-class Brits won't leave you disappointed. The Sex Pistols left their legacy in a whirlwind 26-month reign, spitting out a caustic, confrontational brand of rock & roll that became the rallying cry for angry, disaffected youths in late 1970s England and defined the punk movement. Their story was first told two decades ago in the cynical The Great Rock and Roll Swindle, also directed by Temple but produced by the Sex Pistols' smarmy manager, Malcolm McLaren, who stage-managed the film into a self-promoting vanity project. For The Filth and the Fury, Temple turns to the four surviving band members to tell their own stories. His vibrant, vigorous direction captures the period of social unrest and alienated youth without turning into a history lesson, and shows the Pistols in all their insolent glory: spewing obscenities and gesturing lewdly to audiences and press alike, screaming out lyrics, overcoming musical limitations with pure passion and attitude. Rare, raw concert footage (including their final performance, which is appropriately enough the song "No Fun") and previously unseen interviews with the deceased Sid Vicious further energize the portrait. There's even footage of the smiling band cutting cake for kids at a fundraiser with nary a nasty gesture or sneering comment. Now there's a side of the Pistols you don't see everyday. --Sean Axmaker

"Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?" sneers Johnny Rotten at the Sex Pistols' farewell performance. After seeing this picture you'll understand his disgust, but Julian Temple's sharp portrait of the ragged, raw band of working-class Brits won't leave you disappointed. The Sex Pistols left their legacy in a whirlwind 26-month reign, spitting out a caustic, confrontational brand of rock & roll that became the rallying cry for angry, disaffected youths in late 1970s England and defined the punk movement. Their story was first told two decades ago in the cynical The Great Rock and Roll Swindle, also directed by Temple but produced by the Sex Pistols' smarmy manager, Malcolm McLaren, who stage-managed the film into a self-promoting vanity project. For The Filth and the Fury, Temple turns to the four surviving band members to tell their own stories. His vibrant, vigorous direction captures the period of social unrest and alienated youth without turning into a history lesson, and shows the Pistols in all their insolent glory: spewing obscenities and gesturing lewdly to audiences and press alike, screaming out lyrics, overcoming musical limitations with pure passion and attitude. Rare, raw concert footage (including their final performance, which is appropriately enough the song "No Fun") and previously unseen interviews with the deceased Sid Vicious further energize the portrait. There's even footage of the smiling band cutting cake for kids at a fundraiser with nary a nasty gesture or sneering comment. Now there's a side of the Pistols you don't see everyday.

Punk's Not Dead

Punk's Not Dead is more than just a tribute documentary. It takes you on an era-by-era journey that puts punk rock's non-conformist reputation under the knife. Officially sanctioned by the bands in the film who donated personal photos, fliers and home v

Suicide Girls - The First Tour

The Suicide Girls aren't your grandmother's burlesque troop, unless your grandmother dyed her hair fuscia and counted The Germs among her favorite bands. This collective of young punk and goth women has become a phenomenon thanks to an immensely popular website where models' journal entries appear alongside their photo sets, a bestselling book, and other merchandise.

Read our interview with Missy Suicide.

With Suicide Girls - The First Tour, the movement makes its debut on DVD, following a group of performers as they take their show on the road. The Suicide Girls founder, the charming Missy Suicide, appears with her camera in segments filmed during photo shoots, and is clearly having the time of her life helming this growing brand. In between performances in sold-out venues, interviews with the girls reveal the post-feminist ethos of this striptease empire, in which self-confidence, creativity, and personal ambition are hailed as the motivating factors behind why they enjoy taking their clothes off in front of a camera. Some viewers may be attracted to the message, while others may just be content to watch nubile young women with a variety of piercings vamp it up. Either way, Suicide Girls - The First Tour presents a spirited glimpse of a subculture bent on redefining what is beautiful.--Ryan Boudinot

Now comes SuicideGirls: First Tour, a DVD featuring the unique mix of punk and burlesque that made the SuicideGirls first national tour such a hit with audiences. Beyond the stage performances, this DVD follows the women along for an intimate behind-the-scenes look at life in the van, along with exclusive video fantasies conceived and performed by the touring company. The millions who have already discovered SuicideGirls will have to own their first appearance on DVD, while new fans will be curious to see what all the buzz is about.

The Urethra Chronicles

It can't be a bad life being a member of the band Blink 182. If their "Urethra Chronicles" video is to be believed, their job involves mainly traveling around the world, being extremely childish, and playing hugely enjoyable punk pop for the masses. Basically a fly-on-the-wall look into that life, the Urethra Chronicles DVD gives little insight into the three Blinks aside from their love of toilet humor and seeming obsession with homosexuality. The music is given frustratingly short shrift aside from the odd snippet of live performance, but you don't have to be a teenage boy and/or a fan to find some of this very funny. Much, however, will leave the casual observer feeling left out on a series of inside jokes. When they place their humor in the context of the music, though--as with the four promo videos also included--the result is fantastic. The Backstreet Boys pastiche "All the Small Things" not only is the pinnacle both musically and visually but also demonstrates the great Blink 182 irony--that behind the smirking, childish exterior lurk three sensitive souls, just as keen to use their video to pay tribute to their girlfriends as they are to drop their trousers. --Phil Udell

The White Stripes - Under Blackpool Lights

Recorded in Blackpool, England's Empress Ballroom in January 2004 with 8mm cameras, the White Stripes' Under Blackpool Lights comes dang close to capturing the feel of their live show. The band has always eschewed the modern contrivances of digital music-making, opting for vintage guitars, a trap kit, and tube amps to lay down their synthesis of Americana and British invasion fuzz. The grainy film stock is the perfect visual complement to the peals of feedback and strong-armed beats the band delivers in 26 tunes that keep the audience bouncing. Highlights include a cover of Dolly Parton's "Jolene," Leadbelly's "De Ballit of de Boll Weevil," and the band's own "Ball and Biscuit" and "Seven Nation Army." Fans who cherish the songs in this set on CD (or, better yet, vinyl) are in for a treat as every number is reinterpreted, with Jack White mining for new licks and singing like he's imbibing on a secret stash of Howlin' Wolf's moonshine. Meg, stomping her bass drum barefoot, has never looked or sounded as confident behind her kit, especially when she plays whole songs--literally, folks--with one hand behind her back. The disc contains no extras to speak of, just wall-to-wall rock, but true disciples of the Stripes won't leave disappointed. --Ryan Boudinot

Rage Against the Machine

I Heard a Voice

FOLLOWING THE #1 DEBUT OF THEIR CD "DECEMBERUNDERGROUND" ON THE HEELS OF AN MTV VMA WIN AFI RELEASES THE FIRST DVD OF THEIR CAREER "I HEARD A VOICE."* FILMED WITH 22 HD CAMERAS AT THEIR BIGGEST HEADLINE SHOW TO DATE* LIVE FROM THE LONG BEACH ARENA - SOLD OUT SHOW WITH 13000 FANS* 72 MINUTES OF LIVE FOOTAGESystem Requirements:Run Time: 72 minutesFormat: DVD AUDIO Genre: MUSIC DVD/CONCERTS Rating: NR UPC: 602517147737 Manufacturer No: B000811409