Post title shamelessly appropriated from Billy Preston, RIP.
So I got a copy of The Decline of Western Civilization on DVD last week from a friend who suspected I might be interested in such things. Oddly enough, I'd long regarded that movie along with a few others as the holy grails of punk rock celluloid, though I had never actually seen it. I had always suspected that it like most everything else, would have just left me disappointed so I always passed when the opportunity ever arose to watch it.
So I am pleasantly surprised to report that after giving it a spin over the weekend, I actually found it kind of enjoyable. I wasn't surprised to find myself cringing when the footage was of the local LA "punks." It was like the punk rock Quincy, ME episode.
What did surprise me though, were the rousing, hungry performances of some of the bands featured. Although I regularly worship at the church of Black Flag, I'd never really dug the Ron Reyes material I had collected. Dude's insane in this performance! It's also fun to see Chucky D and Greg so, so... youthful!
Having met Alice Bag herself a few years ago I dug watching the Alice Bag Band stuff as well as the X footage. I also liked the Germs stuff. I wasn't sure what I'd think, having not really dug the Germs biopic What We Do Is Secret that came out a few years ago. Again, I was pretty blown away. You could tell even then that Pat Smear had something special. Don Bolles was a pretty rock-solid drummer too.
As it turns out, I came across Mr. Bolles this past weekend at the Eagle Rock Music Festival. It turns out that Bolles is (again) drumming for Nervous Gender who was headlining the Razorcake/Zocaloc stage. Give or take a few teeth he doesn't look too different than he did thirty years ago. Talk to him for a few moments and you realize that the guy has a pretty sharp wit for having lived his lifestyle for a literal eternity.
I've met way bigger rockstar-assholes who've done way less in their lives, so it was refreshing to meet someone who's managed to remain relatively un- asshole-like for like being a living legend and all.
Speaking of legends and the circular, cyclical nature of life I was saddened to learn of the passing of Derf Scratch on July 28th. Derf was the bassist for fear during their most fruitful period which resulted in their claassic debut LP, Fear - The Record.
Mr. Scratch was of course featured in The Decline, where this tale began in the first place.
Which reminds me, never ever get a tattoo from John Doe.
If you haven't seen The Decline you will have to just take my word on that.
