American Hardcore: The History of American Punk Rock 1980–1986 is a 2006 documentary film directed and produced by Paul Rachman and written by Steven Blush.
It is based on the 2001 book American Hardcore: A Tribal History also written by Blush. It had its world premiere at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and was released on September 22, 2006 on a limited basis by Sony Pictures Classics. The film features some early pioneers of the hardcore punk music scene including Bad Brains, Black Flag, D.O.A., Minor Threat, Minutemen, SSD, and others. It was released on DVD by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on February 20, 2007.
Contents
Synopsis
The film addresses the birth and evolution of hardcore punk rock from 1978 to 1986 (although the packaging says 1980-1986). The documentary boasts extensive underground footage shot during the height of the hardcore movement. It features exclusive interviews with early hardcore punk music artists from bands such as Black Flag, Minor Threat, Bad Brains, and many more.
Production
The film was shot and edited over five years with many clips of 80s hardcore bands being sent in by the bands themselves. Some of the footage was shot by director Paul Rachman in the 80s.
Many of the interviews were actually done in both Paul Rachman's and Steven Blush's apartments in different areas to make it seem like they were done in different locations.
The film also features the photography of Edward Colver notably and principally, and his shot of Danny Spira from Wasted Youth covered in blood was used for the book cover.
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 72% of 60 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "American Hardcore is an informative and highly entertaining look at the heyday of punk in the early 1980s." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 69 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
Soundtrack
Track listing
Nervous Breakdown – Black Flag
Out of Vogue – Middle Class
Pay To Cum – Bad Brains
Fucked Up Ronnie – D.O.A.
Red Tape – Circle Jerks
Filler – Minor Threat
I Remember – MDC
Nic Fit – Untouchables
Kill a Commie – Gang Green
Boston Not L.A. – The Freeze
Straight Jacket – Jerry's Kids
Boiling Point – SSD
Who Are You/Time To Die – Void
Came Without Warning – Scream
Enemy for Life – YDI
Runnin' Around – D.R.I.
Don't Tread On Me – Cro-Mags
Friend or Foe – Negative Approach
Bad Attitude – Articles of Faith
Think For Me – Die Kreuzen
I Hate Sports – 7 Seconds
Brickwall – Big Boys
I Was a Teenage Fuckup – Really Red
I Hate Children – The Adolescents