Punk: Attitude DVD Review:

Smattering onto the scene like a hoard of angry gatecrasher’s punk music created a mini revolution during the seventies. Who brought this cultural phenomenon to our fragile ears? what was its relevance? And most importantly, what does ‘selling out’ mean!

With Attitude director Don Letts answers these questions by presenting a linear and comprehensive history of all that is, and was, punk. From Chuck Berry to Brain Ferry (scrub that last one) Attitude probes punk’s roots and unearths many surprises. Never straying from its strolling narrative, it’s the extreme depths that Letts plumbs which really make this doc a standout.

Highlighting the main players but also handing out kudos to littler known bands such as The Dictators all the way up to Fugazi, you are reminded of the complexity of Punks flowering family tree. Be it an infusion of Reggae, the regionalism of the Cali sound, or the No Wave Scene, these complex sub genres are all rooted to the DIY, anything is possible, punk aesthetic. Through this weaving inter connectivity; Letts documentary begins to solidify in conveying its intended message.

Drawing all of the main players out of their state of semi-retirement. Big hitters of the genre such as Mick Jones, Chrissie Hynde and Henry Rollins all share anecdotes against the backdrop of Letts subtly rolling archive footage highlighting punk’s former glory days. Sometimes bitter, sometimes just plain angry yet, ever fascinating - Attitudes interviewees guide you through ever aspect of the doc whilst explaining the meaning of ‘punk’ (it’s all about the ethos). It’s with this basic simplicity that Letts enables the viewer to engage with punk’s rooted past, present and future, whilst still injecting you with enough afterthought to come running back for more.

Raising interesting and surprising points from all bases, Attitude conveys the anger born beginnings and endings of punk by tainting them with the barbed, tongue-lashings of its former heroes. Check out Henry Rollins as he slams uber pop-punkers Greenday and Blink 182, or chuckle at Jim Jarmusch’s insidiously cloaked hints at America’s part in originating the scene. It’s through these interviews that Letts’ superlative documentary really hits its stride, and come the documentary’s closing riff, seeing Letts’ crew of punk idols grumble about this generation’s slew of ‘punk’ music, you are left with a sad tingling that the torch is yet to be passed, and can only wonder: when... When will the next ferocious wave strike the ‘manufactured anger’ of the pop-saturated music scene?

No matter where you were when it started, or how late you have came to discover the scene, the only thing that’s gonna be selling out is this exceptional documentary.

Star Rating ****

Extras:

No sign of the Don himself in a yak track but still plenty to get your teeth into with this features-packed two discer. Disc one starts with an interactive family tree - enabling hours of fun connecting up the ‘who’s been where?’ element of punks history. It’s a neat touch and like the preceding Where are They Now feature both beef up the viewers knowledge on punk’s history.

Disc two offers eleven mini doc’s ranging from fashion (apparently it wasn’t all safety pins and mohicans) all the way up to a discussion on the sound of punk. Although insightful there’s a slight amount of interview retrieval from Letts original doc in these mini’s, and even more disappointing there’s a total absence of actual live performances on this disc. But, alas these are all minor quibbles in what is a concise and factual accompaniment to Letts feature and is definitely worth the money, now after three… “I am the antichrist-tah!”



Shaun Davis