3.) Sex Pistols : There’ll Always Be An England
I was glad to finally see this DVD. I knew it was coming out (thank you Jonesy’s Jukebox c/o Indie 103.1 FM), but not this soon. This DVD has the standard two parts a.) Concert b.) Documentary. The concert held at London’s Brixton Academy starts with my favorite tune “Pretty Vacant”. As soon as you hear the thumping introduction, you know that you’re going to hear something explode and rock your socks off. They do not disappoint, but you can definitely tell they are no longer in their teens. But the real gem of this DVD is the second half / documentary. Each one of the Pistols (excluding deceased Sid Vicious) go through their hometown and / or places they played gigs, stole equipment, and had dinner. It’s great seeing Steve Jones and Paul Cook feasting on ‘Pie and Mash’. While eating the interviewer asks him a question, Steve replies with a “Don’t bother me because I’m in heaven right now” and describes it as the only thing he misses about England (he currently resides in L.A. / Hollywood). He also shows the apartment where all the Pistols stayed at which still has some of the artwork they carved and drew on the walls. Right next door is a shop where he use to steal guitars and then in another part of town he would stuff the lot. Great DVD especially if you’re a Sex Pistols fan like me.
Grade : A
4.) Joe Strummer : The Future Is Unwritten
Joe Strummer was the chief songwriter for The Clash and this documentary goes into his life. Its basically a bio on Joe from birth to death (R.I.P.). It goes into his days with The Clash with interviews of Joe, Bono, and Mick Jones. He is described as a kind man when his guard is let down. There are some clips of him playing with his daughters and basically showed that after The Clash he valued family somewhat. After the Clash, Joe went onto to soundtrack work, a stint with the Pogues and his own solo work with The Mescaleros. Overall, this DVD will leave a bittersweet feeling in your mouth just like the day he passed away (VH1 gave him a 10 minute or so tribute when he passed, he deserved the millenium).
Grade : A