Fugazi - Instrument
Directed by Jem Cohen
It took me two full viewings to really like
this two-hour documentary that's been eleven years in
the making. But documentary isn't really the right
word. In fact, there isn't a correct word in
describing this. It isn't straight-forward like "The
Year Punk Broke" or a straight live document or even a
behind-the-scenes type video.
This video is just all this weird different
elements that sometimes come together and sometimes
don't . You have eleven years worth of live footage
(dating back to their second show ever), eleven years
worth of Jem Cohen's interviews with the band, eleven
years worth of other people's interviews with the band
(including an eigth-grader's interview with Ian and
Guy), and about four years worth of studio footage.
And most, if not all, of the music in the video is
previously unreleased demos, live tracks and
instrumentals.
I found the most enjoyable parts of this video
to be the early live footage and the in-the-studio
stuff. The early live stuff is great, especially
their second show, which featured Ian on guitar and
vocals, Joe on bass, Brendan on drums and Guy as a
kind of go-go dancer/back-up singer. They're also
some awesome footage of an early show in Philidelphia
where Guy fit himself through a basketball net. Most
of the in-the-studio stuff is from from Red Medicine
(one of the best records I've ever heard), as is most
of the unreleased material. One of these heretofore
unreleased gems is a piano ballad, that's right, a
FUGAZI PIANO BALLAD done by Ian. And it sounds
exactly how one would expect a Red Medicine-era Fugazi
piano ballad to sound.
There are bits where this video drags, and it's
not for everyone. I personally liked it, but Fugazi
are one of my four or so favorite bands, so my
appreciation for it would be a given. For the casual
fan, it's worth borrowing a friend's copy and seeing
how much you like it before you buy. For the
uninitiated, I wouldn't recommend it, as it doesn't
really paint an accuarte portrait of the band's music.
Although I must say it's really worth your money
just to be able to own the one piece of Fugazi
merchandise that will ever be released where the band
members are smiling and enjoying themselves.
(Dischord Video)
---
Michael Keegan
6.29.1999