This DVD review goes out to all the rebels, the punks, the anarchists and to everyone that’s ever said “f*ck authority.”
An expansion of Jim Lindberg’s book, Punk Rock Dad’s, Andrea Blaugrund Nevins’ documentary The Other F Word is a touching and, at times, comical foray into the word of punk rock and asks the question, what happens when these anti-authoritarians grow up to be the ultimate authorities? The film focuses on “Jim Lindberg, a 20-year veteran of the skate punk band Pennywise, on his hysterical and moving journey from belting his band’s anthem ”F–k Authority,” to embracing his ultimately authoritarian role in mid-life: fatherhood.” The film features interviews with Mark Hoppus (Blink-182), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Tim McIlrath (Rise Against), Art Alexakis (Everclear), Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo), Tony Adolescent (The Adolescents), Fat Mike (NOFX), Lars Frederiksen (Rancid), skateboarder Tony Hawk and many more.
Personally, I’m a huge Rise Against, Blink-182 and Red Hot Chili Peppers Fan. I also enjoy Pennywise and have seen them, Rise Against, Blink-182 and Tony Hawk live, and so no matter what way I look at this film I’m going to be totally biased. Just a heads up.
For most people, this documentary will be moderately entertaining as it gives you insights into a world you either steer cleared of due to your moral principles or just didn’t care about. For example, my mother was not a punk rocker nor did she willingly listen to that music, but she got a kick out of this documentary if that helps give you some perspective. For people like me who have listened to these bands religiously or consider themselves punk, you’ll absolutely love this film. This will give you a newfound respect for some of the most beloved figures in the punk rock world as they show you how they try to balance being a father and maintaining the anti-authoritarian persona you see on stage.
The one major takeaway that I got from the film was to not complain when my favorite rock artists don’t go on tour or release new material. You learn that because they aren’t megastars who can make millions in a month, they have to tour for over 200 days a year if they want their family to live a comfortable life. The problem is that because they work so hard they end up spending a lot less time with their families then they’d like to. Now that I understand the dynamic from their perspective it makes me appreciate their performances that much more since they are touring to make us, the fans, happy.
The best part about this doc is its extremely raw nature, the unintentional infusion of humor and its uncanny ability to pass on some wisdom to the viewer. It started to make me think about some of the punk rockers I went to school with, but more importantly, it has me thinking about the future of all the hip hop artists who have “gangsta” personas and how they will attempt to be models for their kids in 10 years.
The DVD, which is being released by Oscilloscope Laboratories, has a decent amount of bonus material but not A crazy amount that offers up new insights that the film didn’t touch upon. The disc contains audio commentary with Jim Lindberg, Art Alexakis, Andrea Blaugrund Nevins and Cristan Reilly, it has the post screening Q&A session from its SXSW premiere, it has two music videos from Jim’s new band, The Black Pacific, and there are a handful of outtakes which includes commentary from Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo) and Dr. Drew , and Acoustic performance outtakes of “Father of Mine” (Art Alexakis) and “Swing Life Away” (Tim McIlrath). If I had to pick one thing to watch it would be the Dr. Drew commentary because he tells a story and plays an audio recording of the Pennywise guitarist, Fletcher Dragge, projectile vomiting all over him.
The Other F Word is a well crafted documentary that was made to give the world a behind the scenes look at some of the biggest names in punk rock. Its aim is to show you that despite being rebels and radiating this anti-establishment personality on the stage, that there is more to these guys now that they have kids. It’s to show you that they too can grow up (a little bit) and can be loving and caring fathers just like everyone else, regardless of their spiked, neon hair and tattooed appearances. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, if you’re a punk fan or punk yourself, then you have no choice but to see this film.
Movie Rating: A hilarious and heartfelt inside look at the world of punk rock dads. (A totally biased 7/10)
DVD Rating: 6/10
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