Review of Hated: GG Allin and The Murder Junkies (1993) by Tico P — 07 Dec 2010

Long before Todd Phillips directed Road Trip, The Dukes of Hazard, The Hangover ... etc, we were given the gift of this shock documentary from 1993.

GG Allin (aka Public Animal # 1), was an outrageous stage performer from New Hampshire, that would basically beat up his band members, defecate on stage and terrorize the audience.

His shows were so over the top, he would even physically assault the audience, so he was jailed frequently. In order to appear in this documentary he had to break parole.

The film takes us on a journey through the United States, as we meet band members, family, friends and the police.

Some nice touches are GG's appearance on the Geraldo Rivera show, a spoken word performance in Boston, and GG drinking a girls urine at his birthday party.

At NYU, GG gives another one of his controversial spoken words performances, stripping himself naked and inserting a banana in his anus. The audience flee from the site in fear for their own personal safety, as the authorities arrive resulting in GG's arrest.

There is a lot for the fans to enjoy here, as we get to see footage of The Murder Junkies band rehearsal and get to hear some of the classic songs as "Fuck Authority", "Highest Power" and "Carmelita" throughout the film.

GG was committed to killing himself on stage, taking some fans with him in the process, as the ultimate sacrifice to save the rotting corpse of Rock n' roll.

Unfortunately he accidentally overdosed before he could do so, and died in typical Punk Rock star fashion.

Filmed in 16 mm, this is true underground documentary film making. Just as GG was a hero to some, and an idiot to others, he was an important icon of the underground punk rock scene, as documented superbly in this film. Fans will be pleased.

I saw Hated at the world premiere in New York when it was released together with GG, his brother Merle and had a gas.

At the time GG was of course still alive, but after his death, footage from his controversial funeral was added, giving the film a more satisfying ending, conclusion.

On the DVD there is a lot of good bonuses including a very rare interview with GG's mother.

Some viewers will probably find Hated a bit repulsive and insulting, so consider yourselves warned.

Fun Facts: GG was a personal friend of John Wayne Gacy (a.k.a. Pogo the Clown), so he asked the man if he'd be interested in drawing the poster for the upcoming documentary. Gacy agreed and autographed all the posters printed. They were sold for 10 bucks a piece. That was how the film was financed, and started director Todd's career.

I wanted one of Gacy's works of jail art. He liked drawing Disney stuff and clowns. I asked GG at the film premiere if he had Gacy's prison address, so he scribbled it on a napkin. It was totally illegible and I still have it somewhere. I have the film poster as well. It was a Christmas present from a friend.

At one point after filming Hated, director Phillips was planning on making a documentary about the pedophile origanization NAMBLA (North American Man Love Boy Association). I'm glad it never got made.