"Bob And The Monster" DVD (director: Keirda Bahruth)

Great look at rock redemption and the power of music

In the making for over 6 years, this stunning documentary focuses on Thelonious Monster founder Bob Forrest and his journey, from the untamed and beyond-control excesses of his rock wildman days to innovative rehab counselor. In-between, we are treated to numerous interviews with Bob's friends and musical collaborators (including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fishbone, Guns 'N Roses, Jane's Addiction, and Hole members, among others). 

There's an extensive bio of Bob's journey from his happy childhood to his out-of-control addiction that nearly cost him his life. There's tons of rare footage of Bob's days fronting Thelonious Monster, onstage and off, along with candid interviews. If this were the heart of the movie, it would still be a top-shelf rock bio. But where many rock bios of this nature end tragically, "Bob And The Monster" is full of positive energy, redemption, and hope. 

Bob's current place in the world isn't taking rock to excessive highs (though he is a world-class songwriter still), but in assisting those in need. Indeed, Bob Forrest has been saving lives through his unconventional programs. His experience with addiction has made him a sympathetic and knowledgeable drug rehab counselor for those with little hope. His distrust and avoidance of pharmaceutical "cures" for chemical dependency is wise and prudent. "Bob And The Monster" is a superb film for anyone interested in the rise, fall, and rebirth of a gifted individual. In short, this is a beautiful film that I can highly recommend.

Shaker Films/MVD Visual

Bob And The Monster site

Bob Forrest Music

Cosmic Psychos - "Blokes You Can Trust" DVD (director: Matt Weston)

Stellar bio on Aussie punks Cosmic Psychos 

It's a shame I had never been familiar with this veteran noise/punk act from Australia. Seems they've been quite influential on a number of famous Pacific Northwest rockers -- many of which are interviewed here. Director Weston qualifies this fine, engrossing documentary with testimonials from folks like Eddie Vedder, Mudhoney, Donita Sparks of L7, Melvins, Butch Vig, Steve Albini, and label supporters from both Sub Pop and Amphetamine Reptile Records. 

But the best parts of this film are the in-depth interviews with Cosmic Psychos members, namely the rock wildman Ross Knight, who's steered the band through (as the subtitle proclaims) a million beers, parties, women, and all the requisite tough times that serious devoted rock bands encounter (like a longtime member passing away due to an addiction). It's curious that, while still performing with a rejuvenated Cosmic Psychos, Knight is a professional body builder as well as a devoted family man and farmer, with a penchant for big tractors. Through it all, Knight is a good guy, likable and full of entertaining yarns.

There's classic footage of the band, as well as interviews with other members, their families, friends, and supporters. "Blokes You Can Trust" is everything a great rock doc/bio should be -- entertaining, fun, and even emotional. Recommended even for those unfamiliar with the band's heavy, raucous punk sounds. Bravo!

Umbrella/MVD Visual

Cosmic Psychos dot com

"Linda Lovelace's Loose Lips: The Last Interview With Legs McNeil" DVD (directors: Alex Chmaj and Legs McNeil)

Revealing doc on tragic porn star

Built around the legendary Linda Lovelace's final interview (before a tragic auto accident in 2002), this excellent documentary places it into a historical context with plenty of side interviews and footage from her short-lived film career. For those not in the know, Lovelace was the star of 1972's "Deep Throat" -- the largest grossing hardcore porno of all-time, and the film that in considered to have made adult film "mainstream". At the time, Lovelace seemed destined for superstardom, but she quickly retreat from the adult entertainment scene, and even spent years rallying against it.

This documentary attempts to answer some of the questions left behind by Lovelace and her claims that she was forced to do "blue movies" by her abusive and powerful manager-husband. Some holes are poked in many of Lovelace's comments, and indeed Lovelace seems to have been proven (at worst) a liar (and at best, a deluded and sad mental case). 

The saga of "Deep Throat" is a fascinating one, and it's peppered with all kinds of sensational claims (Lovelace's reported abuse, mafia involvement, the Anti-Porn Movement that followed, and the Hollywood insiders who befriended Lovelace -- Hugh Hefner, Sammy Davis Jr, and others). "Loose Lips" attempts to tie up some of these loose ends, and is an engrossing and entertaining look at a complex -- and troubled -- individual who never seemed to find the peace (or notoriety) she so desperately desired.

MVD Visual

Lydia Lunch & Rowland S. Howard - "Shotgun Wedding" CD

Classic swamp-blues rock from some legends

This is an expanded, remastered reissue of Lunch & Howard's classic 1991 album, which in my book remains a linchpin of either artists' separate careers. In fact, I'd wager this to be Howard's finest work since his Birthday Party days. It's a shame he's not around to add to that fine legacy. Still, "Shotgun Wedding" is a swampy post-punk affair full of dark edges and seductive textures. J.G. Thirlwell's dry, raw production is perfect, capturing an essential tension and junkie back-alley sinew. In short, this is a great album.

Opening with the iconic and slithery "Burning Skulls", the album moves forward to a gloriously gloomy (and bluesy) cover of Led Zeppelin's "In My Time Of Dying". "What Is Memory" is a skeletal showcase for Howard's prickly, twangy guitar-work. "Pigeon Town" is another highlight, being a rowdy swamp-blues affair, again highlighted by Howard's tight guitar. The album's closer is quite possibly the pinnacle, being Alice Cooper's magnificent "Black Juju" -- a slithery, snake-like trance rock track that hits some intense and dynamic highs. Between Howard's potent riffs and Lunch's cynical, aggressive vocals, "Shotgun Wedding" is a marvelous and memorable dark-edged rock trip, and one that just gets better with age.

This reissue adds Lunch and Howard's fine studio cover of Lee Hazlewood's "Some Velvet Morning", as well as 5 live recordings of fair to bootleg quality. And although these bonus additions aren't quite up to the quality of the album itself, it's certainly worth a look for serious Lunch or Howard fans. 

Atavistic Records

Lydia Lunch dot com

Rowland Howard dot com

"Showgirls 2: Penny's From Heaven" DVD (director: Rena Riffel)

Rena Riffel's trashy 'sequel'

I must give a hand to multi-tasking actress Rena Riffel, who produced, wrote, directed, AND starred in this one. And although the film itself is long-winded (running at 2.5 hours!), convoluted, and downright silly, the fact that she alone was responsible for most of it is pretty well cool.

The story here supposedly picks up where the poorly-regarded "Showgirls" left off 18 years ago. Riffel (who looks great and fit at 44 years old and isn't afraid to bare her fine ta-tas, by the way) reprises her role as Penny Slot -- an aspiring dancer/showgirl who just can't get a break. Her quest takes her out of Las Vegas, and into sleazy, seedy Hollywood, where she has to sift her way through all kinds of trials and tribulations for "the part" -- most of which entail sleeping with (or getting felt up by) someone.

Sure, this isn't much of an original script (I've seen porn with similar executions), and the acting is often really over-the-top, but it seems Riffel is going for a sort of trashy homage to the original. She even references her roles in David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive" and "Striptease" here, which is kind of neat. 

Still, "Showgirls 2" leaves a lot to be desired, and even as a campy (and unofficial) follow-up, it's not one I'd easily recommend.

Wild Eye Releasing

"The Great Hip Hop Hoax" DVD (director: Jeanie Finlay)

California skate rap from Scottish blokes

Another excellent documentary that I'm glad to have seen, "The Great Hip Hop Hoax" is a fascinating look at the Scottish hip hop duo, Silibil 'N Brains, who got themselves signed to Sony UK only after posing as American street hip hop MCs (after a devastating audition where label heads dismissed them as "rapping Proclaimers"). So, with fake accents and artificial "street cred", these pasty Scottish boys ended up making mad money, seeing big city lights and even garnering MTV airplay as "the next Eminem". Then it all came tumbling down as fast as it started, after a hailstorm of drinking, partying, and womanizing (naturally).

Interviews with both members, their families, and the record executives that landed them are enlightening, detailing the way that Silibil (real name Billy Boyd) and Brains (aka Gavin Bain) began their great hoax. Their California-boy, skate-punk, street-thug mentality convinced even those close to them, and it's a credit to Boyd and Bain's acting skills that they could take things that far. 

A great tale, and a weird kind of "success story", calling out the major labels on such a bluff. Sure, the boys are still around -- Bain still performs his own brand of hip-hop/rock as Hopeless Heroic, while Boyd got married, had children, and now works in the oil industry. 

A superb documentary, and a story for the ages.

MVD Visual

Silibil 'N Brains dot com

Black Lips - "Kids Like You & Me" DVD (director: Bill Cody)

American indie/punk act visits "hostile" Middle East...


Going into this unfamiliar with American indie rock act Black Lips, I had no idea what to expect here. But I'm glad I took the chance to devote time to it. As much a study in culture, social and media bias as a straightforward tour film, "Kids Like You & Me" places Black Lips (and Lebanese touring partners Lazzy Lung) on tour within supposed "American-hostile" Middle Eastern countries. On their tour itinerary, the bands encounter enthusiastic crowds in Egypt, Dubai, Iraq, Lebanon, and others. Yes, the kids just want to dance, drink, party, and have a good time there, too.

The guys in Black Lips are mostly humble and likeable chaps, and their willingness to put aside biases and prejudices speaks volumes for them, as well as their Middle Eastern counterparts. I'm sure there were some strained and challenging moments on this tour, but overall, director Bill Cody and the band choose to highlight the good times and goodwill they received overseas. It's truly a global world, and I thank Black Lips for being good ambassadors. Maybe I'm not a huge fan of their music, but this film was enlightening and enjoyable all the way through.

.MVD Visual

Black Lips dot com