"In Heaven There Is No Beer" DVD (director: Dave Palomaro)

Kiss Or Kill in Los Angeles

As a loving tribute and look back at the 2002-2007 Los Angeles "Kiss Or Kill" scene, this feature-length documentary examines the hows, why, and whos behind it all. Sure, the bands all remain obscure to outsiders (Bang Sugar Bang, The Dollyrots, or the Randies never crossed my path here in the Midwestern US), but the devotion of their local fans seems to remain unwaning.

As an upstart reaction to the Los Angeles "pay-to-play" era, and the cut-throat behavior between bands and clubs, a group of individuals began to organize shows as acts of solidarity between bands, bringing cheap tickets, cheap beer, and a sense of punk rock community to the Sunset Strip. Dubbed inexplicably "Kiss Or Kill", an array of diverse indie rock and punk bands joined forces, and, together with a legion of faithful fans and clubs, supported their own scene for 5 years. Intervention from labels and jealousy eventually got the better of it all, and "Kiss Or Kill" split. This documentary interviews all the scene's major players and fans, giving their own insights into the inevitable rise and fall. In the spirit of true "DIY", this was a scene with it's heart in the right place.

A fine documentary, and a great "souvenir", I'm sure, for those who were there.

MVD Visual

X - "The Unheard Music" DVD

Originally released 25 years ago, this well-deserved reissue is a classic documentary of the legendary L.A. punk band X, recorded at during their prime, and featuring the participation of all members of the band, most notably both John Doe and Exene Cervenka.

Interspersing superb and intense live footage with interviews, behind-the-scenes images, and stock footage to illustrate the times, "The Unheard Music" examines a band at it's peak, and at odds with the music industry. Major record company executives are, entertainingly, also interviewed expressing their confusion at X and their supposed "lack of commercial appeal", while forgotten glam rock bands are mentioned as "the next big thing". Just hilarious! But best of all are the candid and honest conversations with Doe, Cervenka, Billy Zoom, and D.J. Bonebrake. There's plenty of prime live footage, as well, illustrating how very unusual and innovative X really were in melding their Americana/country-tinged rock with rockabilly and punk.

This movie often gets cited by those "in the know" as one of the great rock documentaries out there, and after seeing it, I'm not doubting the validity of that claim. And having not been too familiar with much of the band's catalogue (and history), this made me a fan. Bravo! (Angel City Media/MVD Visual)

X website

The Janks - "Hands Of Time" CD

Los Angeles-based indie pop band that channels both Freddie Mercury and Thom Yorke on "Billy The Kid", which is both daring and pretty damned impressive. Other cuts of note include the rockier "Rat Racers", the theatrical "Separation From Your Body", and the playful "Child Prodigy". Imagine if a less pretentious Muse were an American band, and you wouldn't be too far off. Enjoyable. (Sprouted Records)

Jankspace

Janks website