American Hardcore

2006 Documentary

The lost subculture of America's rebellious, Reagan-era hardcore set is explored in filmmaker Paul Rachman's cinematic adaptation of Steven Blush's book. Disillusioned by politics, angered by greedy record labels, and bound together by a powerful antiestablishment sentiment, bands such as Minor Threat, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, and Bad Brains paved the way for such later bands as Nirvana and Pearl Jam by fearlessly questioning -- and frequently mocking -- the status quo, and proving that you don't need radio play to reach an audience. Whether working for a real change or simply attempting to shake things up in the music scene, these bands gave a voice to the legions of youthful fans who felt their opinions had been neglected in mainstream society. In this documentary, concert footage combines with interviews to offer a comprehensive look at the musical revolution that defined an era. more..

Director: Paul Rachman

Reviews

  • Stands as a valuable chronicle of a brief and snarling musical movement.

    Ann Hornaday - The Washington Post

    29 November 2012

  • Messed up as it is, you can't tear your eyes away from this explosion of brutal sounds and images.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    29 November 2012

  • A first-rate documentary on this subgenre of punk rock, which flourished roughly between 1982 and 1986 as an anarchistic response to Ronald Reagan and the disco era.

    Lou Lumenick - New York Post

    29 November 2012

  • Illuminating nostalgia, stuffed with all the right tattooed talking heads (like Black Flag's Henry Rollins), plus grim-looking concert footage of wailing skinny guys.

    - Entertainment Weekly

    29 November 2012

  • A toned-down cinematic equivalent of the music: fast and loud, but not too loud. The movie scrambles to cover so much territory that there is room only for musical shards and slivers; few complete songs are heard, and no signature anthems stand out.

    Stephen Holden - The New York Times

    29 November 2012

Awards

No awards