THE DAMNED-DON’T YOU WISH THAT WE WERE DEAD: PURE PUNK

Having been in my late teens/early twenties when punk rock first took off you would think I would have been into the whole scene back when it was in its heyday. Truth be told I was one of the few that even listened to it having bought the first Ramones album after finding it in the bargain bin for $1. At the time I listened and thought it was one of the worst records I’d ever heard, laughing at its simplicity and ridiculous lyrics. Here I am 40 years later and a convert, enjoying everything they did.

But it was my son that got me to actually listen to punk music over the past few years. I’m still not a fan of it all but I do enjoy some. But that’s because punk music is meant for young people. It’s intended for an angry youth unhappy with the way of the world, the politics, economics and the rest. The fast rhythms and percussive beats are intended as a release of energy, a big “F” you to the world and the regular music that most enjoy. But beneath all of this rage and protest there is a certain musicality to punk music as well. While some bands were promoted solely on their outrageous behavior (see The Sex Pistols) there were other bands who could actually play and play well, who wrapped themselves in the punk scene and yet still preformed as an actual band. Such is the case with The Damned.

THE DAMNED: DON’T YOU WISH WE WERE DEAD is a documentary look at the band that takes us from their early beginnings through their latest incarnation in 2014 when the movie was shot. We get a look at the fact that the bad was actually made up of some very talented musicians who wanted to make music but who also felt the same pressures of the world that the punk scene gravitated towards at the same time. That combination of actual musical ability and punk energy combined to make a band that many pure rock and roll fans would find easy to access if they get around to giving the band a listen.

The film makes clear that the band was the first major band to come out of the punk scene. They released the first album of the many major bands. They had the first large fan base. And their popularity caused managers from other bands (notably Malcolm McLaren as seen in the DVD’s extras) to attempt to damage their career while promoting their own bands. That The Damned never achieved the same financial success of their counterparts was in part due to this as well as due to their own inner turmoil, the same behind the scene problems associated with nearly ever band ever formed. Personal and professional jealousies, claims to song rights, treating each other poorly and too many days on the road took their toll on the band. The end result was to see the band fall apart and reform time and time again. The original line up hasn’t played together since 1999.

At the same time while the band was together and apart and together again they adapted. They retained that same essence of punk, that same raw edge, but matured in their styling as well. The atmosphere was retained in each incarnation of the band and because of that the fans have remained loyal.

The movie takes us from those early days through current times and talks with each member of the band from the original members through new members. Of course the main focus remains with those early members, the core group, some of whom remain with the band to this day. It’s interesting to watch them change over the years, to see them still enjoying making music after all these years.

The presentation here is well done with just enough extras to add to the story and yet not so many as to overshadow the film itself. The extra concerning McLaren feels more like it should have been included in the film as it presents an important part of the band’s story. Thank goodness it was included here. Perhaps my only complaint with the film was the lack of subtitles, in part because there were moments when I was watching with the sound low here and then because at certain moments the accents of those being interviewed were so thick I had difficulty understanding. One other quick note is that while watching it is best to keep the remote handy since names of those being interviewed at times flash by the screen with such speed that you have to back up or freeze frame to see who they are.

On the whole this is not just an entertaining documentary but a movie that captures the spirit of the band and its members as well as the punk sensibility of the time. Not the manufactured scene but the real one. There is a good chance that after watching you’ll go out in search of some of the music that you hear from the band. I know I raided my son’s collection after watching it to listen. This is a must have for punk fans, for music fans and for those who enjoy a well-made documentary about a culture that only now is being recognized for its influence.

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