American Hardcore: 6 out of 10.
The cool kids always wore tee shirts celebrating bands like Black Flag, the Dead Kennedys or D.O.A. It was a scene I completely missed and never totally understood. The songs seemed to be big walls of noise devoid of melody or hook. I just didn't get it.
This documentary on the hardcore punk scene from 1979 through 1985 does a fantastic job of explaining it all and showing the evolution as it spread East. It's loaded with fantastic footage and great insight. I didn't know much about Bad Brains prior to last night, but I liked what I heard and I know I'll be hunting for more about these hardcore pioneers. To these ears, they were the best of the bunch.
I think I get it now. I'm just sorry I was born too late.
