Various

Various: Hang the VJ (DVD)Hang the VJ (DVD) (2002)
Burning Heart

Reviewer Rating: 4

Contributed by: AubinAubin
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on June 4th 2002Refused - Rather Be Dead Punk on DVD is kind of strange. I suppose because while one half of me loves the idea of it. The shiny metal disc with so much more sound, video and quality then my clunky, easily destructable v.

Refused - Rather Be Dead

Punk on DVD is kind of strange. I suppose because while one half of me loves the idea of it. The shiny metal disc with so much more sound, video and quality then my clunky, easily destructable video tapes. But there are problems with DVDs too. For one, there is a strangehold on the format, such that the previously blurred international boundries of music become readily apparent.

Well, the good news is this. For all of you concerned with the politics of DVD, this disc is region-free, and is playable everywhere. I'm sure this was for technical reasons, but I like to believe that it was for the spirit of punk. After all, if there were region codes on CDs and vinyl, I probably never would have heard the many, many amazing bands on this disc.

The best way to describe the disc is as a retrospective of every video from every band on Burning Heart. In fact, it's 190 minutes of great bands, of all varieties. I mean, considering the price, it'd probably be worth buying if you're a fan of just one of them (for example, all the Refused videos are on here, in one place) which would have been enough for me, but throw in the International Noise Conspiracy, Samiam, The Hives, Millencolin, No Fun at All and well, it's a pretty amazing disc. And so small and shiny too.

Now, I should mention that there aren't any "Special Features" in the traditional sense, this is pure video goodness, but considering how much stuff is actually on here, I don't think you'll miss the lack of commentaries, slide shows or bouncing white rabbits.

All in all, there are 61 videos, and 23 bands; and there are some good ones in here. Old favorites, new bands I'm just getting into, and all in great quality.

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

Yellowtrash (June 14, 2002)

This DVD is so awesome. The best song is "Pump the Brakes" by Refused. You can see Dennis acting goofy and he trips on his walle chain!

Anonymous (June 12, 2002)

If you're looking for a track listing, click on the Interpunk link, there is a complete list there.

evildeadalive (June 12, 2002)

Ok, I'm sold. Anyone know where would be the least expensive place to order this from as a Canadian?

CallingLondon (June 10, 2002)

oh man, sounds awesome. i was in best buy the other day and i thought about getting this, but i didn't have the money. i will definitely be picking it up soon though. i've never seen the New Noise video, however i would very much like to. That's a really great song to scare people with...

AtomicGarden (June 9, 2002)

This is why you have a review section, right? After reading this I went out and bought it. Got it last night. Popped it in. It's awesome, and it's got some incredibly rare videos too - like Refused's "Pump the Breaks", etc. I didn't even noticed it had Raised Fist, another one of my favorite bands. It has the Hives, INC, etc. too -- all in all a great DVD. Thanks for reviewing it!

Anonymous (June 7, 2002)

looptroop is on this and they fuckin' rule

Anonymous (June 6, 2002)

clutch title selection. anything with a smiths reference in the name is cool with me.

maverick (June 5, 2002)

Refused's "New Noise" video is reason enough to own a DVD player.

-Scott

layawayplan (June 5, 2002)

i hope this has all those early millencolin videos that never made it to tv...Story of my Life and Move Your Car are hilarious.

New Noise is an amazing video.

This will make that "flames still burn" video i own useless. Ah well, i only watched it through once.

Perhaps now more people will discover the hardcore brilliance that is Breach. "It's Me God" is an incredible album. Why do all these Swedes rock so hard?

punky (June 5, 2002)

Refused-New noise is one of the best, if not the best punk video clips ever...
I don't have a DVD player, so I'm not gonna see this, but I have most of those video clips taped anyway...

fakesmile (June 4, 2002)

Blah blah blah...

Anonymous (June 4, 2002)

Any VCR made in the last 10 years should be able to handle any VHS Casstette from around the world, i.e. those with dual speed recording facilities should be able to play both PAL and NTSC cassettes, well, most european ones do anyway. The thing about region coding is another area where the europeans usually miss out or have to wait upwards of a year to get the best stuff.
I don't think there would be much point region coding this disc because as far as i'm aware Burning Heart owns the copyright to all the videos and merely licences then to non-european labels, whereas if it was the other way around they would only be able to release the DVD in the region where they owned the licences to the videos.

Anonymous (June 4, 2002)

What about the "region" differences in PAL and NTSC? DVDs are almost the exact same thing except there are more than two different regions. The only difference is that it's easier modify a DVD player to play any region than it is to modify a VCR. In fact, I'm pretty sure that's impossible.

seek (June 4, 2002)

This looks really interesting... the Refused make amazing videos. BTW, the review format here is very cool. BURNING HEART - SEND ME THIS TO REVIEW. ;/

Anonymous (June 4, 2002)

yep, good shit

AtomicGarden (June 4, 2002)

Hmm.. sounds interesting..