Review of American Hardcore (2006) by Trill F — 21 Aug 2008

Bad Brains? Black Flag? This film is rare gold, just like the movement and music it sheds light on.

A movement so powerful, energetic, groundbreaking, raw and savage, that it only lasted less than 2 decades in it's purity.

Punk certainly isn't dead, but Hardcore Punk is.

A genre so violent and anti-establishment could never last in our times, because the principles that drove hardcore punk would contradict the principles that drive every musical genre today, which is easy access, marketing, availability, etc.

And these punks just didn't give a fuck about anything, some of them didn't even want their musical phenomenon to go anywhere, cuz anything increasing in popularity would get closer to mainstream, and thus, the establishment, the system, the man.

And that's why punk is still alive and kickin', but it's very different from where it started, it's more commercial, more catchy, more satisfaction oriented.

Hardcore punk instead was like a junkie getting in your face and saying this is what I do, and I have growing army of people like me, I don't give a fuck what you think, and then punching you in the face.

This film is like a historical landmark though because it glorifies and immortalizes a defunct phenomenon, which otherwise would be forgotten. And thank God this film was made, cuz it kinda seals the deal with Hardcore punk, cementing it into modern history in all it's craziness.

Some parts get to be really annoying cuz the raw, savage footage gets too rough and the music and mindstate thrashes into your brain. But that's what hardcore punk was, it was a hurricane running through your brain and the joy came from jumping right into that hurricane and letting all senses go.

Pure Raw Violent Energy, a pure expression of one's feelings without obeying to everyday rules. An escape from all the bullshit and fakeness.

My favorite band covered were the Bad Brains, those guys are myths, and I can't believe anyone could hate on a band playing reggae and growing musically. The Bad Brains are living legends, milestones of musical evolution, Geniuses and masters at work. Their techinique was off the wall, just like their style which brewed many different acts aspiring to achieve the same style.

Someof it is revolting and shocking, and that's prob why it didn't last very long.

But I admire this film and everyone who was in it, or almost.