With the popularity of MTV coupled with VH1 music fans have had access to
the life and times of rock bands from the 70s forward in more detail than we
would probably like. At the same time we’re a society that loves to look at an
accident as we drive by rather than look away, one that scrambles for the
latest scandal found on the checkout lane tabloids and loves to see the rich
and famous fall down to our level. Sadly the reality is that many we would
think fall into that wealthy category never quite got there no matter how much
fame they garnered. Take Drivin’ n Cryin’.
The southern rock band that formed in 1985 was hugely popular on the
local circuit but took a while to break out nationally. Now when I say southern
rock band don’t misunderstand, this isn’t an Allman Brothers of Molly Hatchet
style band. Drivin’ n Cryin’ was straight up rock and roll. But as with most
bands a taste of fame led them down some wrong paths and the end result was
losing the possible stardom they could have achieved.
Combing music videos with interviews and home footage, director Eric von
Haessler puts together a story of a band that began as friends and ended up
broken apart by success. The movie presents the story of how they came
together, how the central figure of the band was and remains Kevin Kinney and
how egos, drugs and the record business can tear apart a band that people love
and turn them into something else completely. As I said, it’s a familiar tale
but at the same time no two stories of how this combustible mixture results in
the story of a band is the same.
My exposure to the band is probably the same as most, their
hit single “Fly Me Courageous”. What is really upsetting and anger inducing is
to listen to the songs played in this film that make up the rest of their
catalog and wondering why no one ever played them on the radio. It makes you
regret not having their albums on your shelf or their downloads on your iPod.
Watching and listening to this movie might help to change that.
But it’s not just the music that makes this movie work. It’s
the people involved in their story, the various band members who have come and
gone, their battles in and outside of the studios and more. The creativity that
oozes from each and their contributions when combined is a part of the band’s
history. The way they got caught up in the whole LA experience of stardom and
the effect it had on them both as a band and as individuals. Best of all it’s
all told in their own words, in the interviews they all do.
By the end of the movie you’ll find yourself cheering for a
comeback for this band. An odd choice of words, comeback, because actually they
never left. Kinney still plays with a version of the band, perhaps not in arena
settings but to appreciative crowds none the less. He still has the outlet to
display is creativity and skill.
This movie isn’t just for fans of the group. It’s for music
fans, rock fans and those who enjoy finding out just what goes on behind the scenes.
Go in looking for those things and you’ll come away with hope for a band that some
say “could have been” but who in reality still are. Let’s hope that they get
not just the recognition but the respect they deserve.
Click here to order.
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