American Hardcore (film)


American Hardcore: The History of American Punk Rock 1980–1986 is a documentary directed by Paul Rachman and written by Steven Blush. It is based on the 2001 book also written by Blush. It was released on September 22, 2006 on a limited basis. 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.

Synopsis

The film addresses the birth and evolution of hardcore punk rock from 1978 to 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 for 5 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 with the most notable piece of footage being the final show of Negative FX which spawned a riot after the power was cut mid-song.
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.

Soundtrack

Track listing

  1. Nervous Breakdown – Black Flag
  2. Out of Vogue – Middle Class
  3. Pay To Cum – Bad Brains
  4. Fucked Up Ronnie – D.O.A.
  5. Red Tape – Circle Jerks
  6. Filler – Minor Threat
  7. I Remember – MDC
  8. Nic Fit – Untouchables
  9. Kill a Commie – Gang Green
  10. Boston Not L.A. – The Freeze
  11. Straight Jacket – Jerry's Kids
  12. Boiling Point – SSD
  13. Who Are You/Time To Die – Void
  14. Came Without Warning – Scream
  15. Enemy for Life – YDI
  16. Runnin' Around – D.R.I.
  17. Don't Tread On Me – Cro-Mags
  18. Friend or Foe – Negative Approach
  19. Bad Attitude – Articles of Faith
  20. Think For Me – Die Kreuzen
  21. I Hate Sports – 7 Seconds
  22. Brickwall – Big Boys
  23. I Was a Teenage Fuckup – Really Red
  24. I Hate Children – The Adolescents
  25. My Mind's Diseased – Battalion of Saints
  26. Ha Ha Ha – Flipper
  27. Victim In Pain – Agnostic Front

    Interviewees