"American Hardcore" rehashes tales from the pit

"American Hardcore," an energetic and grandly entertaining tribute to a short-lived period of early-'80s punk rock, is also a timely coda to this month's shuttering of New York's legendary CBGB's.

Just as that gloriously grimy club wrought a particular variety of bands — some of which were members of the exclusive club this documentary venerates — "American Hardcore" pays singular appreciation to a subgenre of punk that was often more devoted to attitude and existence than it was to music.

Movie review

Showtimes and trailer

"American Hardcore," a documentary directed by Paul Rachman, from a screenplay by Steven Blush. 100 minutes. Rated R for pervasive language including sex and drug references. Varsity.

Bands such as Black Flag, Minor Threat, D.O.A. and Bad Brains were way outside of the mainstream. They hated preppies, privilege, disco, New Wave and "skinny tie" bands. They despised the rock-elite likes of Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles and Journey. Most of all, they were revolted into action by the specter of Reaganism and the assertion of any sense of authority, be it government, their parents or the industrialized music they heard on the radio.

The thought of money never entered their mindset. Their only sustenance was testosterone, disgust, three distorted guitar chords and an intimate brotherhood that extended across the United States. The alliance that brought them together was bonded by the contract of us-against-the-world.

You could call it a rebellion, but that suggests a level of organization that was antithetical to hardcore fans. Followings were forged by giving like-minded outsiders the outlet they were longing for — frenzied pits where kids could smash into each other and unite over stage dives.

Technically, "American Hardcore" is nothing special — articulate, graying talking-head interviews from participants in its brief heyday are interspersed with graphical imagery and grainy footage of riotous shows from the era — but it is unparalleled as a musical history lesson and chapter of American social anthropology.

Ted Fry: tedfry@hotmail.com