Founded by Superchunk's Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance in 1989, North Carolina’s Merge Records quickly grew to become one of America’s essential indie labels. From supporting their fertile local indie rock scene to launching international stars, for 25 years Merge has carved out uncompromising success by staying true to its independent roots. Google Play is proud to celebrate 25 years of Merge Records with this exclusive documentary and series of covers of Merge classics by Merge acts including Superchunk, the Mountain Goats, Telekinesis and more.
The Sex Pistols album Never Mind The Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols is unquestionably one of the most important musical statements in the history of British music. It was in 1977, at a time when the nation was crippled by class division and unemployment that four working class teenagers with supposedly non-existent futures recorded an album that to this day remains as one of the greatest and most influential bodies of work ever recorded. This documentary features exclusive interview's with all four of the original members of the Sex Pistols as they take you on a track by track look at the making of the album. Featuring Steve Jones and Glen Matlock demonstrating selected riffs and licks off the album and explaining the development of the song writing. Candid interviews with Malcolm McLaren, Chris Thomas and Bill Price set the record straight about the recording session. Intertwining additional rare home video, live footage and early demo's make this release a compelling must see.
The tale of the formation, journey and end of the seminal Punk/Reggae band The Slits.
An exploration of the heavy metal scene in Los Angeles, with particular emphasis on glam metal. It features concert footage and interviews of legendary heavy metal and hard rock bands and artists such as Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Megadeth, Motörhead, Ozzy Osbourne and W.A.S.P..
A 2004 documentary on thirty years of alternative rock 'n roll in NYC.Documenting the history from the genuine authenticity of No Wave to the current generation of would be icons and true innovators seeing to represent New York City in the 21st century
On the edge of the 30th anniversary of punk rock, Punk's Not Dead takes you into the sweaty underground clubs, backyard parties, recording studios, shopping malls and stadiums where punk rock music and culture continue to thrive.
Bloodied But Unbowed chronicles Bloodshot Records' 12 years (and counting) in the trenches of independent music. It's a world where it's easier to take down an M-1 Abrams tank with pub dart than get noticed and appreciated by the mainstream. Here you'll find the highs, the lows, the humiliations and the triumphs. It's an inspirational tale of the ages for anyone foolish enough to want to start a record label.
TV Party Music Video - (Live @ Target SF 1981) Rise Above - Thirsty & Miserable -Depression - American Waste - Fan greeting in Bologna, Italy 1979 - Revenge (San Francisco 8-20-80) - Jealous Again - Chuck (mock) interviews Dez & Henry - Rise Above (repeat)
In 1978 the Undertones released Teenage Kicks, one of the most perfect and enduring pop records of all time - an adolescent anthem that spoke to teenagers all over the globe. It was the first in a string of hits that created a timeless soundtrack to growing up, making the Undertones one of punk rock's most prolific and popular bands.
In 1983, now legendary post-punk icons Mission of Burma performed two highly regarded farewell shows at the Bradford Hotel in Boston. At the very peak of their power, the band was calling it quits due to guitarist Roger Miller's worsening tinnitus (ringing in the ears), no doubt brought on by their pummeling live performances. Those who were there recall a highly emotional evening: the band and audience were deeply connected through the enormity of what was about to be lost, which inspired Burma to rip through their sets with a passion that was both brutal and bittersweet.
A documentary about the band X. Includes live and studio performances and interviews with the band members.
During the first week of September 1981, Twin/Tone took the mobile recording unit and rented a bunch of video gear and recorded 15 bands live (five nights) at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis... These movies are from the show on September 5th. The band had released "Sorry Ma..." earlier in the year and were already working on future projects. These clips are presented as they were recorded live... in set order and very much with the tuning that troubled the night. The Replacements were the middle band of three (Husker Du closed the show) and played two 25 minute sets.
A compilation of all the Sub Pop videos from the grunge era. Tracks include Nirvana's 'In Bloom' and Mark Lanegan's 'Ugly Sunday'.
One of the greatest and most under appreciated American bands of all time weild their quirky poppiness at The Bottom Line in New York City, 1990.
As the first all-female band to play their instruments, write their songs and have a No. 1 album, The Go-Go’s made history. Underpinned by candid testimonies, this film chronicles the meteoric rise to fame of a band born in the LA punk scene who became a pop phenomenon.
A rather incoherent post-breakup Sex Pistols "documentary", told from the point of view of Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, whose (arguable) position is that the Sex Pistols in particular and punk rock in general were an elaborate scam perpetrated by him in order to make "a million pounds."
A documentary about vivid punk and alternative rock scene of Subotica, the northernmost Serbian city, through the periods of communism, tyranny of the 1990s regime, and economic transition at the beginning of XXI century. Seen through the eyes of its witnesses, these musicians and creative artists deliberately refused the imposed way of behavior, hence staying "invisible" to everyday people.
Minor Threat played one of its last shows at Washington DC's 930 Club in June of 1983; they would only play once more in DC. Two years later, the tapes from the 930 show were edited together and Dischord Records released them as the Minor Threat Live VHS video in 1986. Along with the 40 minute 930 performance, the DVD includes a 1982 Minor Threat show in Camden, NJ, a clip of Minor Threat's 2nd ever show at DC Space in December 1980, and excerpts from a 1983 interview with vocalist, Ian MacKaye.
1. In the Flesh - 2. X Offender - 3. Denis – 4. Detroit 442 – 5. (I'm Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear - 6 . Picture This - 7 . Hanging on the Telephone - 8. Heart of Glass - 9. Dreaming - 10. The Hardest Part - 11. Union City Blue - 12. Atomic - 13. The Tide Is High - 14. Rapture - 15. Island of Lost Souls - 16. Maria - 17. Good Boys
Considered one of the most cerebral punk rock bands around, Bad Religion puts on a unique live show that has them blasting through song after song in record time. This documentary, compiling footage from 14 different concerts, captures the raw power and frenzy of the band as they toured Europe in 1989 to promote their third album, "Suffer." The 26 featured songs include "Do What You Want," "Land of Competition," "Best for You" and more.