Rock N Roll Docs To Watch

As the snow continues to fall, and the frigid temperatures keep us locked in, we are probably spending more time in front of a laptop or a TV then we would like. Here are some musical documentaries suggestions to keep you entertained for now. 

Shut Up & Play The Hits – LCD Soundsystem (2011) – available on DVD and streaming on Netflix. In 2011, LCD Soundsystem played its last concert at Madison Square Garden. If you couldn’t be there, then this full concert and documentary are the best way to capture what happened at that last show. The documentary focuses on author Chuck Klosterman interviewing James Murphy, the mastermind behind this electronic dance band. James Murphy comes off as such an ordinary guy in the interview, and watching him walk the streets of New York City with no entourage, is delightful. Netflix is only showing the documentary with excerpts from the concert. The DVD has the entire 3 ½ hour concert plus the documentary disc. Play the concert on your large 60 inch flat screen TV (that is if you have one) and invite your friends over, crank it up, it will be the best dance party you ever had at your place! 

I Need That Record! The Death (of Possible Survival) of the Independent Record Store (2011) – available on DVD and streaming on Netflix.  For anyone who loved going to record stores (like me), you will enjoy this documentary as it explores the independent record store owner, the many music enthusiasts who patronized these stores, and the many musicians who loved and supported these stores as well.  I certainly miss the independent record stores and felt the pain of these business owners who did their best to keep these shops open. Music geeks unite and watch this together.  This documentary clocks in at 77 minutes, not long enough! 

Just Like Being There (2012) – streaming on Netflix. This is a documentary about the American gig poster scene. I am familiar with the gig posters from all the rock concerts I have been to and have always loved the art work of gig posters. There is an annual Flatstock Poster Fair at the Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park which is always worth checking out. This documentary features artists techniques of poster making, the community of artists who make the art (many are from the Chicago area), and interviews with band members as well. The artists in this documentary are low key and the art they create for the musicians speaks for itself. You will most likely want to go to www.gigposters.com to purchase some for yourself.  

Elvis Costello Spectacle Season 1 (2009) & Season 2 (2011) – available on DVD.  Ok, this is not a documentary but it is must watch for any music fan. Elvis Costello does an amazing job interviewing fellow musicians and performing with them as well on this wonderful show set in front of a live audience. Elvis digs deep with guests like Lou Reed, The Police, Jakob Dylan, She & Him, Elton John (who produces the show), Norah Jones, John Mellencamp, he wants to know how they create their music, what artists inspire them.  Elvis does not ask the musician what they are currently promoting, no, he wants to know what made them become a musician, the conversations’ are intellectual and thought provoking. No word yet on a Season 3 (let’s keep our fingers crossed!).  

The Other F Word (2011) – streaming on Netflix. I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this documentary about punk rock musicians taking on parenthood. The film features Jim Lindberg of Pennywise and his difficult struggle of leaving his family behind as he tours the States with his band. Other musicians featured are Art Alexakis, Flea, Mark Hoppus, Tony Hawke, Lars Frederiksen, & Duane Peters. They all speak of difficult relationships with their own fathers and how important it was to them, to be good fathers to their kids despite their anarchist ways. I was touched by how emotional these guys got!