Punk music is not for everyone. Let me clarify. SOME punk
music is not for everyone. For myself I’ve grown fond of a number of bands
classified as punk from the Clash to the Ramones. But the real down and dirt
hardcore punk music is something I’ve not been a fan of. It still deserves
recognition as a driving force that resulted in numerous bands who went on to
more lucrative rock music careers. Those in the scene recognize that they’re
treated like the bastard child but rather than get angry about that tagline
they embrace it.
When I had the opportunity to watch and write about a
documentary called REBEL SCUM that concerned the life and times over a two year
period of a punk rocker from Knoxville, TN, I had to take that chance. Having
enjoyed SALAD DAYS which covered the punk scene in Washington, D.C., I wanted
to expand my world appreciation of punk music. I had no idea what I was getting
into.
The movie, as I said, looks at a two year period in the life
of Christopher Scum, the lead singer and driving force behind the band The
Dirty Works. Scum considers himself a full-fledged member of those known as
white trash, living hand to mouth in an area known as the Bible belt because of
the strong religious ties the communities have in the area. Not a place where
someone who doesn’t necessarily believe and who has lyrics that most would
associate with blasphemy would want to live. But he does so along with his
girlfriend Renee.
Scum is a self-confessed drug addict but as the movie begins
he is in the middle of rehab with the help of a local methadone clinic. Each of
his band mates have problems of their own as well, in particular Steven Crime
the band’s lead guitarist. Crime is an extreme alcoholic who goes off on rants
throughout the film as well as violent outbursts. Crime and Scum are depicted
here as having the worst problems. While Crime has alcohol to contend with Scum
deals with serious issues of depression as well as his substance problems.
Watching them in this film one can only feel a deep amount of compassion for
both and a desire to see them overcome these issues. But this is reality and
not a feature film and by the end of the film hope for both seems distant at
best.
The movie is an eye opening experience of the mindset behind
this sort of music. Fueled by his inner demons Scum takes to the stage putting
everything he has into every performance doing everything from busting his head
open with his microphone to smashing his body to the floor. The fan base for
the band is slim but those who come to his shows never walk away without a
story to tell. Is that a good thing or a bad one? Each person watching will
have to come to their own conclusions on that decision.
For myself I found it a sad story, one that begins with hope
and ends miserably. This is not a story that is being told but a documentary
displaying the band, the man and the life he leads. It’s not pretty and it’s
not supposed to be. What the film makers here do, and you can tell they are
fans as well as film makers, is to put the ugly truth out there for all to see.
Their goal is not to sugar coat anything. They might be concerned about the
welfare of their subject matter at time but not to the point that they set up
interventions or interfere with what is going on. For me that makes it a better
documentary than most being made these days where situations are set up rather
than incidents simply being filmed.
By the end of the film you won’t be left untouched. Some
will be angry and think that anyone who does this to themselves should just be
ignored. Others will cheer the antics of Scum and his band while ignoring the
inner turmoil and pain he goes through on a daily basis. And some will walk
away hoping that his life changes and turns around for the better, that help is
on the way in whatever form it may take. Rather than condemn the man for a life
that he seems unable to control it would seem that compassion is the better
route to take when considering his predicament. As the credits roll you can
only hope that he finds a way to control those inner demons before he follows
in the tracks of punk icons like G.G. Allin who died of a heroin overdose.
This is not an easy film to watch. It is as raw as you would
expect given the subject matter. It is interesting but difficult to watch. Go
in knowing what to expect.
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