Appetite for Deconstruction DVD, Various Artists
Ahh, the 'Rockumentary'. A chance for
any old band or label to cash in on modern technology, or give something back to their fans (depending on how cynical your view on the modern music industry is). The formula is tried and tested; include some music videos and the occasional live performance, throw in a bit of backstage antics for good measure and top it off with some benial interviews and you've got yourself a good little money-earner. In the past we've had some howlers (Blink's 'The Urethra Chronicles' springs to mind) and some good 'uns (Spinal Tap pretty much came up with the idea). So where does 'Appetite for Deconstruction' fit into this extremely varied market?
In short, it's absolutely blinding. Before even popping the thing into my DVD player, one quick glance at the sleeve gives you the sort of idea just how much is crammed onto the one disc. You've got live performances from some of the hottest punk bands in the world (both mainstream and underground), you've got a shedload of backstage interviews with various band members, tour crew, organisers and fans, and I haven't even begun to mention the skating/bmx footage that's been included here. With an option to watch each segment individually, or see the all-inclusive documentary in its entirety, the guys at Deconstruction have absolutely spoiled us.
We'll start with the music. With footage collected across the whole of the European tour in 2004 AND 2005, it would be impossible to namecheck every band here and give them their five minutes. However, one of the highlights comes from Lagwagon with their absolutely flawless performance of 'Falling Apart'. Considering that without this band, half the other bands here wouldn't even exist, it comes as expected, yet Joey Cape gives us just a quick taste of how talented he and his merry men are.
Pulley, From Autumn to Ashes and Mad Caddies are following close on the tails of Lagwagon with their live performances, all busting out note-perfect renditions of some of their lesser-known tunes to a crowd that just doesn't stop jumping. Away from the music, there's a whole host of extreme sports fun in the form of Motocross, Skating and BMX footage. The Deconstruction tour never has been about JUST the music, and it's great to get a taste on here of what other entertainment is available when you attend. Even if you aren't clued up on your who's who, and what's what, this is still fucking fun to watch.
I've left the best bit of the DVD until last. The documentary parts themselves are what make this package just that extra bit special. Filmed across the length of the festival on handicams, mainly by bands and Decon crew personally, you're given a spectacular look at what life is like being in a band on a tour of this scale. I could lie to you and say there's a whole lot of musical ideas being exchanged and the creative juices are flowing, but truth be told, all these guys do is party. Party HARD. When you consider that one of FATA's roadie's was taken to hospital with liver poisoning on the third day of the festival, you get the general idea of what kind of shit goes down. A personal highlight is seeing Pulley's guitarist, sitting atop a skate ramp stoned off his tits trying to tune up his guitar before playing. It's also a great chance to see how much the bands just hang out with each other, and their crew. Whether it's veteran punks Anti-Flag knocking back scotch with Boysetsfire, or everyone binding together to show their appreciation for Decon organiser David 'Fucking' Pollack, you can see that everyone here is having fun and they all genuinely get along with one another.
Truth be told, 'Appetite for Deconstruction' is now sitting amongst my favourite DVDs in my collection. There's just so much in here to keep you amused time and time again, and if you didn't want to be in a band before, after watching this you will do. An essential purchase.
Andrew R
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