Blank Generation - DVD Review (Richard Hell, Carole Bouquet)

Uli Lommel’s 1980 film Blank Generation was just rereleased on DVD (by MVD Entertainment) with a bonus 45-minute interview with Richard Hell.

This is an intriguing film for many reasons – one of which is that Richard Hell is always a fascinating speaker and he gives an insightful interview about the making of the film and the NYC music scene at that time. What is somewhat amusing is that Hell trashes the film during the interview. In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Hell said “I actually feel that the interview is better than the movie. It can even be said it’s better as the movie, since it includes clips. The only thing it’s lacking is some of the live performances."

The bottom line is that, while Blank Generation isn’t Academy Awards material, it isn’t that bad. Fans of the NYC punk scene are going to want this disc in their collection – others may wonder what all the fuss is about.

The movie was filmed in early 1978 against the gritty backdrop of near-bankrupt NYC and the plot centers around Billy (played by Richard Hell) who is a punk musician on the verge of major label success and his relationship with French journalist/documentariest Nada (played by future Bond girl Carole Bouquet). The film plays out against this central theme and it is an almost voyeuristic experience. The motivations of the staring and secondary characters are never fully explained so, watching the film, is almost like being a “fly on the wall”. You see all of the dialogue and interplay but can never be sure what is driving it or who some of the secondary characters are that Billy and Nada come into contact with.

Some of non sequiturs around these secondary characters are completely amusing while other of the secondary characters come and go in the blink of an eye. One of the late-stage subplots is the introduction of Lommel himself into the movie and he plays the German journalist Hoffritz who is intent of landing an interview with Andy Warhol. While he waits intently in the television studio for Andy to show up, Walter Stedding show up as “Andy’s assistant” and starts to play electric violin to the bafflement of Hoffritz and the TV studio crew. Warhol eventually makes an in-person appearance and gives a typically bizarre interview to Nada.

One of the highlights of the film is the live Voidoids footage from CBGB. Hell describes the live footage as “the best existing film footage of my band at a time when it was in top condition”. He is right – it is exciting watching much-missed Robert Quine tossing off guitar licks while the pre-Ramones Marc Bell keeps the beat.

While Blank Generation has some flaws, there are more than enough redeeming moments to justify checking out this new re-release of the film.

Links:
Richard Hell

CBGB - A January 2008 Update

I walked by CBGB tonight on my way to the train. Muzzy Rosenblatt, from the Bowery Residents' Committee, just had to have Hilly out of that space because the property was worth $40-50K a month in rent. Well Muzzy...CBGB shut down in October 2006...how much rent have you collected thus far?

CBGB - January 2008













CBGB Gallery - January 2008


Here is my suggestion - write a letter to Muzzy and ask "Was it worth it? You pushed out CBGB who was paying rent and tried to keep order on the block and you couldn't get The Gap, Starbucks or KFC to take over the space"






Here is the contact info for Muzzy and the the BRC:

Bowery Residents' Committee
324 Lafayette Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-533-5700 Fax: 212-533-1893
Email: info@bowrescom.org

Bad Brains Live at CBGB 1982 DVD Review

Bad Brains were one of the most influential punk bands on the scene in the early 80's and this DVD captures the band at its prime. It is compiled from a three night stand in December of 1982 at CBGB and features a number of songs from the then soon to be released Rock For Light LP.

The three shows are filmed in a semi-pro style with two cameras so this DVD really captures the feeling of what is was like at a Bad Brains show in the early days. My only complaint is that predominately only one camera angle is used during the final show so there seem to be equal number shots of the crowd (and the mosh pit) as there are of the band. There is some really great footage of HR, Earl and Dr. Know across all three shows. What is a little strange is that Daryl Jenifer is rarely, if ever, seen.

All complaints are minor as the band is on fire during these shows and lives up to their legend. It is somewhat amazing to watch the crowd sway in place as the band switches from hardcore to dub/reggae. The power, energy and aggression of the band make this DVD required watching. Watch the trailer below and see for yourself.



I was at the first of the Bad Brains reunion shows at CBGB last month and the biggest difference between the 1982 and the 2006 version of the band is HR. On this DVD, HR rules the stage and covers all corners of it. On both Riot Squad and Coptic Times, HR is all over the stage dancing and singing with the crowd. At the show last month, HR barely moved and it seems that he is in a "different place" now. In an interview last year, Daryl Jenifer said "It's hard for us to do shows...That's mainly on H.R., with his mental and emotional state. He's my man. He's a weird dude and I love it -- there's freedom right there. I've really come to that conclusion, that the dude is the [most free] person you'll ever meet."

Below is a YouTube clip of Pay to Cum , which was the encore from the first night of the reunion last month.

Bad Brains @ CBGB, NYC Oct. 9, 2006

I have been reading the reviews of last night's show and it seems that people either loved it or hated it but there was no middle ground. I am one of the one's who loved it -- it is great to see these guys back together after so many years. I'm still waiting to see if the new hardcore CD that the band is supposed to be working on (with HR) will actually surface this year.

Brooklyn Vegan has some great pictures from the show on his site, including one with HR wearing his helmet mic.


HR/Bad Brains @ CBGB, NYC Oct. 9, 2006 


Bad Brains Live @ CBGB, NYC Oct. 9, 2006 


Darryl Jennifer/Bad Brains - CBGB, NYC Oct. 9, 2006 


"The Pit" @ Bad Brains - CBGB, NYC Oct. 9, 2006 


Darryl Jennifer/Bad Brains - CBGB, NYC Oct. 9, 2006 


Bad Brains - CBGB, NYC Oct. 9, 2006 


HR/Bad Brains - CBGB, NYC Oct. 9, 2006