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Punk's Not Dead documentary film site updated

Contributed by punksnotdeadthemovie. Posted by aubin on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 10:04 PM (EDT)

The producers of Punk's Not Dead have announced some details about the ambitious documentary which aims to cover the punk scene from its inception in 1976 to the present. The filmmakers are aiming for a release in 2006 which will also represent the 30th anniversary of the genre.

Among a huge list of bands appearing in the film in performance or interviews are Minor Threat, Stiff Little Fingers, The Briefs, Social Distortion, Dead Kennedys, NOFX, Discharge, Black Flag, Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio, X, Green Day, MC5, GBH and many others. The film also features contributions from notable personalities and organizations like Legs McNeil (PUNK Magazine), Kevin Lyman, SST, Arturo Vega (Ramones), Fat Wreck Chords, Brandon Cruz and BYO.

The filmmakers write:

Thirty years after bands like the Ramones and the Sex Pistols infamously shocked the system with their hard, fast, status-quo-killing rock [...] "pop-punk" bands have found success on MTV [...] Meanwhile, "punk" has become a marketing concept to sell everything from cars to vodka, and dyed hair and piercings mark a rite of passage for thousands of suburban kids. Can the true, nonconformist punk spirit still exist in today's corporatized culture?

Stills from film can be found here. The film is directed by Susan Dynner and counts Tim Armstrong among the producers.

More details about the film can be found on the official website.

Movies and Documentaries (115 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. Seriously.

CaveatMalefactor (July 20, 2005)

""punk” has become a marketing concept to sell everything from cars to vodka..." ...to this documentary.

4+ Replies

Someone (July 21, 2005)

as the kid that works at the movie theater said to homer, "touche"

Someone (July 21, 2005)

he speaks the truth

Someone (July 21, 2005)

There is a rather obvious difference if the people making this film are doing this for the right reasons.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

and this website you vist and post on how punk is used to sell stuff

Aubin (July 20, 2005)

Seems like a huge project; even if the whole thing is back to back interview clips, it looks like it would run eight hours. I would always reserve judgement until the film is completed, but this sounds like a tough road for the editor.

Someone (July 20, 2005)

alkaline trio? the fuck?

5+ Replies

Someone (July 20, 2005)

of all the bands you choose to question you bitch about alkaline trio? regardless of whether they're punk or not (i'm not even sure what my opinion on tht is), aren't bands like good charlotte, yellowcard, simple plan much more ridiculous to include? anyway, it looks like it could be really interesting and they DO have some really good bands on that list, but at the same time it could be absolute shit

wallflower (July 20, 2005)

They only reason that Good Charlotte, Yellowcard, and Simple Plan are included is to show how much 'punk' is progressed because of the media. -We- know that it isn't punk, but MTV says that it is, regardless of what the obvious differences in sound, and the documentary wants to include that. Alkaline Trio is kind of off the wall in this documentary, actually.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

I hope they cover the "im punker than thou so I decide what is actually punk" portion of the punk community. Those kids are cool.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

no it's not that, its just that its a documentary about the foundations of punk...alk3 are fairly new members to the community are they not? wouldn't that be like asking a kid who plays recreational soccer at age 8 to comment on the history of worldwide soccer styles?

Someone (July 21, 2005)

But the thing is, they've been in bands before Alk 3. Slapstick, Broadways, and whole lot of other stuff. No matter what you think about their music, they're HUGE punk rock fans. Absolutely HUGE. The band Alk3 is fairly young, but the bands they've been associated with are somewhat "more credible". Also, the people in the band aren't exactly in their 20s anymore so it should be interesting what they have to say. -kliph

Someone (July 21, 2005)

slapstick was great but on that same note shouldn't rancid be interviewed then? how about some common rider in there? i dunno, i just feel like alkaline trio is such an off the wall out there choice.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

woi punk not rule

Someone (July 20, 2005)

first

2+ Replies

Someone (July 20, 2005)

moron

AlmostPunkEnough (July 21, 2005)

god that never gets old... or funny.

Jimmy_the_Saint (July 20, 2005)

Genres are not subject to anniversaries. Is this a joke? The filmmakers just don't get it. Punk is about rebellion, attitude, and social consciousness that spans before the 70s. You can't stamp a date on it. There was punk band in Germany in the 60s called the Monks, which already invalidates their so-called 1976 birth year. I realize it's conventient to stick history in nice neat little compartments, but music and culture doesn't do that. They evolve and transform.

6+ Replies

Someone (July 20, 2005)

dont forget the fugs in america my friend

ILOVESCOTT (July 20, 2005)

"genres are not subject to anniversaries"- brilliant.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

well said. i believe bands such as the ramones and sex pistols sometimes get a little too much credit for spearheading punk. just my opinion though.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

You have a point, but honestly, who gives a shit?

Someone (July 21, 2005)

Punk rock is referred to as such because Legs McNeil coined the term when he started a magazine with the same name...which invalidates your little argument too. And if punk is about rebellion, attitude and social consciousness, doesn't that basically make those chicks behind lillith fair punk? What was so socially concious about the Ramones? Punk police are lame. The bottom line is that its just entertainment. Get over it.

Gowb (August 11, 2005)

It's just fucking music, man. Calm down.

skankin_in_the_pit (July 20, 2005)

I'm sick of seeing punk documentaries that cover the 70s or 80s and don't mention DOA. This better not. And the true, nonconformist punk would never mind anything vodka related. Tru punx up teh Vodka!!1!1

6+ Replies

TheOneTrueBill (July 20, 2005)

Word, DOA is insanely underrated. They were right up there with Black Flag for blazing trails, and their first few records are classics. And they still put on a great show. I was waiting in line before the doors opened for their show in November and Joey Shithead took time out to talk to the three of us who were waiting.

skamanifesto (July 20, 2005)

right, becuase to be a true punk, you must enjoy consuming alcohol.

skankin_in_the_pit (July 20, 2005)

I know typed sarcasm can sometimes be tough to pick up but I think it's pretty obvious that was a joke. I really know to press the shift key when making exclamation points and that the e goes after the h in the in case you're wondering about that too.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

This is going to mention doa http://www.punksnotdeadthemovie.com/Pages/Cast_bands.html

Someone (July 21, 2005)

DOA is definetly one of the most under-rated pioneer-punks. If any one you guys are into a good read, I suggest Keithly's (Shithead's) book, "I, Shithead: A Life in Punk". It's one of those books you can't put down.

Someone (July 22, 2005)

I concur. Except my copy was missing about 30 odd pages or so from the later years part.. I blame Chapters.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

"What about DOA, Big Boys and the Black Flag?"

Someone (July 20, 2005)

Hopefully they handle everything appropriately, so far it looks like it's going to be promising, though. I'm sure it's going to be much debated when it comes out. It would be quite the feat to please everyone when they're planning to summarize 30 years music in a couple of hours. I'm sure a lot of people are going to say "well what about this band??!?" or "what about when that happened?!?". Alread theres a couple of bands/labels i've seen that don't need to be on their list, at all. Anyway, I look foward to seeing it. - www.robotplague.com

swingline (July 20, 2005)

the used, good charlotte, simple plan, yellowcard, story of the year, sum 41, my chemical romance, the ataris in the same documentary as real bands. i hope they get a lot of uncomfortable questions.

3+ Replies

CellarDoor (July 20, 2005)

And for an unknown reason, I'm pretty sure you're hoping for some gay butt sex too.

swingline (July 20, 2005)

"May I shove my penis in your butt, good sir?" is quite the uncomfortable question.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

is it only gay if the balls touch?

istapledmyfoot (July 21, 2005)

i think.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

yup only gay if the balls touch

Someone (July 20, 2005)

I'm such a nonconformist, I'm not gonna conform to what you guys think, and like the movie.

2+ Replies

wallflower (July 20, 2005)

I'm such a nonconformist, I'm NOT going to like the movie. Ttherefore, I am more of a hardcore nonconformist then you.

Someone (July 20, 2005)

Oh yeah? Well I'm not going to conform to what the nonconformists want me to conform too, and put on a chicken suit and sing "Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta" by the Geto Boyz.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

Too late conformist. My friends and I just did that LAST WEEK in front of Burger King. Doofus Try again. -kliph

Someone (July 21, 2005)

Oh damn! Now I have to move to a different subculture to save my street cred. So...this is...a poem...I wrote. Black daggers stab my pale skin and dark dank doomy death pain sets in. Thank you.

Someone (July 20, 2005)

...since it's inception.... Will anyone ever learn how to use an apostrophe correctly? Clearly not.

2+ Replies

Someone (July 20, 2005)

Agreed. It annoys me to no end. Apparently the nuances between plural, possessive, and plural possessive are overlooked today. Kids these days...

Someone (July 21, 2005)

I'm with you guys, too. I was actually surprised they remembered that their title needs one. Good on that one. Baby steps, I suppose.

Dubar (July 21, 2005)

actually it would probably be a much better documentary if it was called "Punks not dead" and it was interviewing people from bands in the 70s and every one of them was like "I live in fear that every day I might not wake up in the morning". Especially if they get footage of someone getting assassinated mid-interview

Someone (July 21, 2005)

Yes, but then it would have to be called "Punks Who Are Not Dead" and that just sounds lame. It would just be easier if the people who're promoting this movie learned to write with proper grammar, so that we could focus on how much the movie will or will not suck, instead of focusing on how spectacularly their grammar sucks. Unless it's Aubin who doesn't know how to use an apostrophe, in which case.....shame!

Someone (July 20, 2005)

Didn't we get into punk rock to avoid educational videos? How many fucking documentaries does this "genre" need.

Someone (July 20, 2005)

who is the longest running punk band in history drawing bigger crowds than ever?

joey_t (July 20, 2005)

what, no snoop dog

1+ Reply

CellarDoor (July 20, 2005)

No Starting Line either. What a fucking shame.

Xine (July 20, 2005)

This sounds cool

Infrarecon (July 20, 2005)

I was wondering what was going on with this.

TheOneTrueBill (July 20, 2005)

http://www.punksnotdeadthemovie.com/Design%20files/Web/Photo%20w indows/crowd_DD.jpg Is that Joe Escalante from The Vandals?

Someone (July 20, 2005)

wtf Green Day?!

3+ Replies

ChokingVictim (July 21, 2005)

Well, they are kind of responsible for the big punk explosion where it became an accepted mainstream genre. And even though I love Green Day, it was depressing to see them in concert playing to a thousand 12-year-old girls decked out in their Hot Topic gear. And Billie Joe wearing eyeliner, what the fuck? I want to hate them, I really do, but I've been listening to them since I can't remember when, and I can't help but love them. And they have definatley influenced a fuck of a lot of bands.

Cheesetits (July 21, 2005)

Agreed. Its hard to think that I was once that same 6th grader that was wowed by this band and consider my main influence in music today. Now they're everywhere and its pretty disgusting. I too want to hate but I cant quite do it.

JKyle (July 21, 2005)

Honestly, as far as I'm concerned, Green Day can get away with anything now. OH NOEZ BILLIE JOE'S WEARING EYELINER?! ::Shrugs:: Who cares? They're freaking Green Day. Let 'em have their fun.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

Mike Ness wears eyeliner and nobody complains

ChokingVictim (July 21, 2005)

Any guy who wears eyeliner deserves all the shit people throw at him, I don't care who he is.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

No Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, Paint it Black, or None More Black. This is quite an influential family tree.

6+ Replies

Someone (July 21, 2005)

Yeah because there needs to be a documentary about two bands that are only about ten years old and two that are still around. You fucking wankstain. -BSD PS- Lifetime= Overrated. Kid Dynamite= Overrated. So many people I know act like hardcore was Minor Threat and Black Flag, then all of the sudden, Kid Dynamite. No, KD are like those bands minus the heart and passion. Minus the DIY production and complete rawness. Lifetime are just babies.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

all those bands have "heart." If you could only go on tour with a band like Paint it Black. I think you have to have "heart" to deal with that kind of life. Please don't overly glorify Minor Threat and Black Flag. It's lame. They were great. Move on.

skaboom (July 21, 2005)

Thanks, someone.

sickboi (chris) (July 21, 2005)

Oh Jesus Christ, will you shut up about "DIY" production. I'm sorry, as much as I love Black Flag, every single one of their recordings sounded like ass. Good (not "over") production can lead to an amazing album, one that can partially capture the spirit of the band's live performance. Examples? Kid Dynamite, Strike Anywhere, HWM ("Caution") and most notably, Bane ("Give Blood"). You wanna argue that the "DIY production" on anything put out by Minor Threat or Black Flag captured their ferocity? You're full of shit.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

It's about fucking time someone said that.

ChokingVictim (July 21, 2005)

Although I like every one of those bands, they aren't what I would consider a top priority for a documentary... But, I wouldn't really consider Alkaline Trio one either.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

if you are from north eastern usa, then maybe. all those bands are over-rated.

Dante3000 (rich) (July 21, 2005)

Yeah yeah, it's off topic but I need to know if anyone has any idea about this: I was at the Aquabats show (at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz) and before the end of the first set (prior to the encore) there was a major scuffle between security and one of the Aquabats lab coat dudes. For a few songs prior it appeared as if security had been haseling the guy and then in the last song it broke out in to a brawl. And as the Aquabats closed their last song they ran off stage to help. When they returned the singer said something along the lines of "The security was mad because they couldn't stop kids from stage diving so they punched Joel (or whatever labcoat dudes name was)". They went on to play a few more songs and wrap up the show but I'm still not sure what exactly happened. I'm curious if anyone else was there and saw this or if anyone may have a better idea

show rest of comment

Someone (July 21, 2005)

Dute Dute Dute.. This, just in from The Transplants Press Room in lovely Los Angeles, I'm Lindsey Nagle offical spokeswoman . We are proud to announce Tim Armstrong is one of the producers of this fine film covering the history of punk. Mr.Armstrong has just chosen "Skinhead Rob" Aston as the narrator of film. Currently Mr. Aston had to take a break from his Hooked on Ebonics studies with Bobby Brown to polish up for this role. We contacted El Duce's ghost on Glenn Danzig's ouija for further comment, he had this to say, "When the eagle shits today, meaning I'll get my USDA Food Stamps, I'll get a blow job and bottle of Early Times and I'll teach that boywigger about rock n roll, pfpffff*pooot!" Joe Strummer's ghost was unavailble for comment.

3+ Replies

Someone (July 21, 2005)

great comment!

Someone (July 21, 2005)

That guy has had the world handed to him with no talent to back it up. I'm sure he would ruin the punk movie too.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

It's a joke

Someone (July 21, 2005)

eeh! a film about punk without the Clash, Refused or Propagandhi?? of course you can't cover all bands, but those are essential

3+ Replies

CrookedSuperhero (July 21, 2005)

Refused and Propagandhi? I'd like to see you justify that.

rkl (July 21, 2005)

agreed. the refused were a hardcore band for most of their existence(im tired of seeing people who only acknolwedge the singular epitaph album). as for propagandhi, theyre a great band, i love them, but its not as though theyve been intergal to the scene.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

They'll cover The Clash, Tim Armstrong is producing it and as we all know, Tim can't let five minutes pass without mentioning the Clash and Joe.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

Ambitious project, but missing some major imput. Where are the interviews with MDC, Poison Idea, Maximum rocknroll or anyone representing the current DIY hardcore scene for that matter? If you wanna find the "true, nonconformist punk spirit" you gotta get your ass out of best buy and into an indie store.

2+ Replies

skamanifesto (July 21, 2005)

well see, they are hardcore. this is a punk documentary. hence thier lack of presence.

Gowb (August 11, 2005)

They don't have any current DIY punk bands either. Annoying.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

At the very least it's an improvement on the mainstream view that punk ended with The Clash and reignited itself with Green Day.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

This sounds pretty good, but i'm not gonna buy it unless it features Hüsker Dü. Oh and i personally still consider Alkaline Trio and Green Day to be Punk Rock bands to a certain extent, at least they seem to know what the fuck they are talking about, plus Green Day was spawned from the fantastic Gilman Street scene, but yes admitedly both of the above bands didn't take the regular punk rock route, but at least they're not blink 182 or good charlotte who don't know what the fuck they are talking about and are just dumb rock bands cashing in on everything they can. Anyways my opinion, you'll say i'm wrong probably, but i really don't care, let's be honest.

3+ Replies

Someone (July 21, 2005)

We all know blink knew what they were doing, hell, they toured with FEAR and shit, and that's what everyone is so bitter about, that they knew what they were doing wrong and did it anyways.

rkl (July 21, 2005)

except green day's blatant cashing in on political fervor, when they previously wrote songs about jacking off outside a girl's window.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

Well at least they are saying something and not skirting around the issue.

rkl (July 21, 2005)

im sorry, but i dont think its admirable to become a political band for the sole purpose of making money. where were armstrong's political sensibilites when gulf war I was going on, or when clinton was bombing the fuck out of kosovo? oh, wait, punk wasnt popular then.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

I think it's more of a case of what Green Day were doing at the point of the first Gulf war and Kosovo etc, for one they weren't even popular enough to have an effect like they have now. the point is at least they were bringing attention to something, which they wouldn't obviously normally do (such as the quirky dorky pop punk that has made them what they are) Obviously they are making money off the records, but the LP was made during the run up to the election if i remember correctly so i think the impact it had was positive be it, ineffective in the long run, i mean even NOFX jumped in with a political album, even the descendants did! (well one track) obviously these bands felt the need to comment on current world affairs and i say good on them, at least they aren't souless morons. Nearly the same above argument can be applied to Crass and The Clash , Crass being

show rest of comment

rkl (July 22, 2005)

youre either young, or just an idiot. dookie was fucking HUGE.

Someone (July 22, 2005)

So yeah you totally forget about those two albums before Dookie ho hum, everybody thinks it started with Dookie, do your research. They had releases on a little "unknown" record label called Lookout Records. 3 records below predating the gulf war and 2 in the same year, but before the war even started. L035 Slappy 7" Vinyl (1990) 39/Smooth Compact Disc / 12" Vinyl / Cassette (1990) 1,000 Hours 7" Vinyl (1989) Even fucking Kerplunk came out in 1991 http://www.lookoutrecords.com By the way I'm afraid i'm not young, i'm a bitter jaded old bastard especially when people get things wrong.

Gowb (August 11, 2005)

Crass was god-awful. Sense? They were crybabies.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

I have a feeling this won't cover thrashcore, grind, nardcore, fastcore psychobilly and the like, which would be a total shame if it doesn't.

2+ Replies

rkl (July 21, 2005)

you can buy me the rkl vhs to make up for it.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

dont forget the albacore,applecore,marine corps.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

Angry Samoans? F-word/Rik L Rik? Adolescence... I guess they can't cover it all. Sounds promising though. Now if the decline would finally get rereleased on dvd, I will possible have two ways to show my kids the way it WAS. -Todd killings

KirbyPuckett (July 21, 2005)

There's a lot of production companies out there making a so many DVDs these days with a plethora of bands and there is always at least one band to please everyone, but I'd like to see something different when it comes to these. It would be interesting if the companies actually did surveys to see exactly who and what the fans wanted to see on disc. Sure not all the artists would be available and the production teams can fill in the holes, nonetheless it would be an interesting tie in with those buying the product actually having their voice considered towards the input of the finished product. - Kirby

Someone (July 21, 2005)

does anyone else think it's a travesty to have pictures of the used, good charlotte, and sum 41 next to pictures of minor threat, black flag (||||), and social d? if these guys wanted to do it right, they would have a little section of the doc called "mall punk" where the former would be covered, complete with a Hot Topic and Gadzooks interactive walkthrough. lame.

1+ Reply

Someone (July 21, 2005)

I think that was the point.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

WooHoo!!! a "punk documentary" about "punk" bands like Pennywise and Good Charlotte. then again, this is on the same website that just reviewed All American Rejects.

2+ Replies

sickboi (chris) (July 21, 2005)

Don't you have some punx to be upping?

Someone (July 21, 2005)

don't you have some mall chick to be dating?

Someone (July 21, 2005)

Screw you! I'll date mall chicks if they put out.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

Instead of covering every band that came out of Lifetime, why not every band that came out of Slapstick?

3+ Replies

Longshot (July 21, 2005)

damn dude. Slapstick was rad. sigh...oh, the days of high school...

CrookedSuperhero (July 21, 2005)

I'd say i like both sets of bands just as much. Probably the Lifetime set more these days.

Someone (July 21, 2005)

I totally agree. Not only the spliter bands but Slapstick itself influenced much of the Midwest/Chicago sound that we hear today.

bassthoven (July 21, 2005)

Does anyone know where i can get the following tabs: Body Bag- No Means No Doomsday Breach- Only Crime I Wanted Everything-Ramones Bad Brain- Ramones ( not on punkhardcore.com or ultimate guitar tabs)

1+ Reply

Someone (July 22, 2005)

www.mxtabs.net might be worth a shot

MATEO (July 21, 2005)

we'll confirm it's not dead with a bunch of dead, dying and deadly irrelevant bands. thats because all of those new bands who were supposed to come back and "save" it don't care about defending it.

2+ Replies

Someone (July 21, 2005)

Punks not dead it just deserves to DIE!!!!

Someone (July 21, 2005)

When it becomes another stale cartooooooon

Someone (July 21, 2005)

Its been done, and done right (the early years of L.A. punk anyway) and when its rereleased, get it!! http://www.declinemovies.com/ -Todd Killings

1+ Reply

Someone (July 21, 2005)

That site has been up for years....hopefully these "july 2005" updates will really happen, and the dvds will be released.

Someone (March 31, 2006)

first of all its cool that u put gbh and the dead kennedys but first of all dont put green day and alkilaine trio as punk. there little poser punks so please dont put them under the same catoragy as PUNK!

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