"Fested: A Journey To Fest 7" DVD

"Fest" has come to be known as a sort of mecca for young and rising punk bands. Held in Gainesville, Florida, the weekend-long festival has brought thousands of young musicians and music fans to the small town for some revelry rarely seen (or allowed) in these times.

As a raw documentary, "Fested" shows the ins-and-outs of Fest, as seen through the eyes of some of the 2008 Fest participants. You get lots of footage of bands playing in some small venues, to very enthusiastic crowds. You get lots of drinking (I may never drink another PBR as long as I live), more drinking, and still more drinking. In short, Fest is a huge, drunken frat party, but with better music. As a documentary, "Fested" succeeds in presenting the festival truthfully, warts and all. As entertainment, I wasn't very interested. Maybe you just had to be there? (National Underground.org via MVD Visual)

"We Fun - Atlanta GA Inside/Out" DVD (director: Matthew Robison)

As a survey of ATL's present-day indie scene, "We Fun" covers a wide array of modern acts, including Deerhunter, Black Lips, the funky and memorable King Khan & The Shrines, Mastodon, the Coathangers, Mourdella (with the amazing fireplay of frontwoman Jessica Juggz), and others. Interviews with fans, promoters, club owners, and many a drunken reveler are sandwiched between live clips. We see the homespun indie rock scene complete with sweaty bars, yard parties, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, and a nicely diverse selection of rough and rowdy rock. Atlanta seems to love to party. And drink. And play (or listen to) music. It's an endearing and gritty/candid documentary that sums it all up with the title. It's all about fun. I found this brief (65 minute) film to be an inspiring look at the individuality and character that, without a doubt, fuels the independent scenes not just in Atlanta, but around the world. (See Of Sound.com via MVD Visual)