Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Movie Review: A History Lesson Part 1
()
Every Tuesday night during the month of October The Redwood Bar and Grill will be screening Dave Travis' A History Lesson Part 1 along with assorted live bands. If you are unable to make it to any live shows, the DVD will soon be available.
A History Lesson Part 1 is your standard interview-slash-live performance music film. That is about the only thing about this film that is standard. Each performance is uncut, allowing you to get into the groove without any annoying voice-overs or cut-aways.
The film focuses on four popular bands of 1984: the Meat Puppets, the Minutemen, Twisted Roots and Redd Kross. Interviews were conducted by Dave Travis, Dave Markey, and Dave Jones, who are all close friends of the subjects. It allows the interviewees to open up in a way that would be impossible with any other film crew. Their openess offers insight into tours, songwriting, recording, and the cult of SST.
Support for LAist comes from
It is amusing to hear Jeff McDonald of Redd Kross describe the Meat Puppets' music as "witchy", Paul Roessler of Twisted Roots comparing the '77 Hollywood scene to the '84 South bay scene, and the Meat Puppet's Curt Kirkwood's pronouncement that "There are punks who haven't been born yet who are way punk."
Perhaps the most fascinating element of the interviews is hearing the bands discuss the other bands. Although they discuss Black Flag™, live footage of the band is noticeably absent. Maybe it is locked away in the Disney™ vault. Anyone familiar with SST™ might assume that the reason behind this obvious omission is a certain person who famously guards Black Flag™ footage. For the sake of us all, Greg™, release the Black Flag™! Let it fly free for the greater good!
The one criticism I hear about History Lesson is the bootleg quality of the music. The thing is, that's often what it really sounded like. Especially at the Cathay, where the sound man would just wander off. That's why SST bands took their own sound guys on tour. And camcorders hadn't even been invented yet. Dave Travis jerry-rigged a home VCR through a battery belt.
It is amazing he got the footage he did, considering he was a high school kid standing in the pit with the rest of us. That's part of what makes this movie special. People say "You had to be there." This film gives you the next best thing. You are able to get the feel of standing with the throng, worshiping at D. Boon's guitar pedals.
When D. Boon, who was incredibly nimble for his size, breaks into one of his trademark dances during "The Big Foist" it is pure magic. At that moment in the film, I realized I don't care that I was constantly in trouble for breaking curfew and missing classes because I was there. And thanks to A History Lesson Part 1 now you can be there too.
Previously on LAist: We Learned Punk Rock in Hollywood
Screenshot of D Boon and trailer courtesy of A History Lesson part 1
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.
Best of LAist