Another State of Mind

This documentary follows members of the bands Social Distortion and Youth Brigade on an ill-fated tour across the U.S. and Canada. They fix up an old school bus that has seen better days, pack up all the band members and roadies, and set out on a tight budget. The farther they go, the more strained things get - Social Distorion almost breaks up because the going got to rough for 'em ('cept for Mike Ness, bless 'im) and the bus breaks down and they just can't go on, so they stay with Minor Threat for a couple of days and then pack it in. Lots of interviews with real punks, lots of concert footage with some *excellent* music (all three bands are great) and shows that even though the tour was a failure overall, people can still do things on their own with limited funds if their hearts are really in it and they can maintain unity. Some scenes are funny, some are kind of scary (those Canadian punks were kinda feral), and a sense of desperation builds... but it's always real and always true. Don't miss a chance to see this one - I've watched it probably a hundred times and don't mind if I see it a hundred more.

There's plenty of reviews about the film, plot, locales, music ect. So no reason to go on about that stuff... the other reviewers here cover that enough (most do a very good job of that too) Ok here goes: First of all I would never ever give this film a "10" on its filmmaking merits. Honestly, probably a 7 or 8 though, it's a good story and told pretty well all things considered.

Where Another State of Mind deserves its praise is when it's viewed 20-30, hell now nearly 40 years later. For the kids out there discovering, what now passes for "punk/ hardcore" it's got to be a fascinating time capsule of what once was in our spikey, dyed and dirty little corner of the world.

A look back at a time when we didn't hear punk bands played on the radio let alone at sporting events or (grumble) in tv commercials. Guys didn't spike their hair, bed head wasn't a desired look and nobody except sailors, bikers and punks had tattoos. And you didn't walk down the street with green hair unless you could back it up... you would be violently attacked sooner rather than later (often by adults, even if you were a kid). The world wasn't ready for this type of music (or people) back in 1983. The financial woes alone involved with this tour more than illustrate that point. What you see when you view ASofM is a time capsule of what was back then and that's where this movie shines.

I saw this movie tonight for the first time since 1985, when I caught it on Night Flight. Seeing it 28 years later, I was amazed how much of it I was still able to recall, but more than that, how much the perception of Punk has changed since the 80's. Having a shaved head or pink hair does not raise an eyebrow today, you even see kids with those kind of hair styles, tattoos and body modifications, who aren't into punk, or aware of where those styles originated from. A number of times in the Movie, you have various punks mention how people harass them for their appearance, and it was so true, back then it took a lot of guts to walk around like that. This movie brought back a lot of memories of being a teenage punk, how it was almost like belonging to a secret society that most people had no idea existed. I also like how un-PC punks were back then, unlike today's army of whiners. I wonder what became of some of the people in the Film? Like Marcel or that gorgeous death rocker Valerie ? In all it's a very interesting time capsule of a time that will always be dear to me.

I've basically watched this movie about once a year for the last 8 years or so. (Although calling it a "movie" isn't really correct...it's a documentary)

It follows around Social Distortion and Youth Brigade on tour..basically. That's the best way to put it. And at times it cuts off and shows us these kids who go to punk rock shows, and live in the street, all that stuff...that stuff gets sort of boring, but everything with the bands is funny or just good to watch.

Oh yeah, and we see some of Minor Threat in this movie, when they stay at their place...

Just check it out.

Along with "Decline of Western Civilization," and (now) "American Hardcore," this is crucial viewing about early US DIY punk. What's weird is that neither Social Distortion's nor Youth Brigade's music has aged very well (Social Distortion being better known for their 1990s roots-punk), and Minor Threat, who are barely in the film, have become the definitive band of this scene. Nonetheless, the live footage of Social Distortion is interesting, because Mike Ness is so corny, and how inept the rest of the band is--he is just begging to be surrounded by ringers. Youth Brigade come across a bit better, slightly more tough, definitely more dedicated and principled: more suburban, but also less self-absorbed. The direction and production is not much to speak of, and the film is not edited for drama the way it would be now, rather telling a very simple story of things falling apart on tour. There are a dozen or so classic moments, the music is OK, and you get to see Mike Ness "get out and push" a bus.