Suburbia

[Fierce Critter]

This was in my box of video-store throw-aways. I watched it the other day.

Directed by Penelope Spheeris, known for a lot of things but in particular for the "Decline of Western Civilization" series of movies, which started with #1 in 1980 covering the west coast punk scene.

I suppose this was supposed to be a big statement on "punk society", though it has mixed messages as to whether punks are (were) a bunch of aimless, violent slackers or misunderstood, pitiful outcasts.

I was a middle teenager at that time, and hardly exposed to the "real" punk scene, so I can't vouch for the authenticity of any of it. Growing up in suburban Michigan, I don't remember there being much exposure to such things at all. Best we saw/heard was whatever ended up on either WABX radio (where I first heard the Cure) or on MTV who was showing things like The Cure, Siouxsie, & Split Enz in heavy rotation at the time. But never things like Black Flag, etc.

Kinda dated, and somewhat laughable today. Acted by mostly non-actors, so the dialogue is stilted and monotone for the most part.

Probably best viewed today as a curiosity of mid 80's culture.

Oh - how can I (almost) forget. The role of rat-loving Razzle is played by none other than "Mike B the Flea" - of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I like to look back at movies I saw "way back when" to see if any of the lesser-known cast members ever became "better known cast members" of today. He was the only one in that film.

[The_Dark]

I lived in small town American in the mid to early 80s. I was in range of 2 college radio stations and DJ'd at a small underground radio station from 85-86. I went to all ages shows at a local venue that catered to the punk/mod scene. I listened to bands like Million Dead Cops, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, Butt Hole Surfers, Detriot Energy Asylum, Angry Red Planet, God Bullies and... too many names to remember. I even met Henry Rollins once at a show.

The point is, it was there, you just had to listen for it.

[fallennon]

I really didn't like the movie...or the one they remade after it...

[Rivet_HeadINC]

I saw this movie for the first time in 2000, and loved every minute of it, even though the dolls in the begining and end were a little to much to handle (granted they didn't have the special effects back then that they do now) but "Flea" was a riot.