Texas

I bought the loaded DVD at one of TOFOG's Austin shows his past summer. It has loads of hidden features which can only be viewed using the clues provided at gruntland.com. For those of you not familiar with Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts [TOFOG] you will meet a terrific roots rock and roll band and see them preparing to perform, behind the scenes, rehearsing and kicking back.

In Texas, the language is raw and uncensored, the music rocking, the beer flowing, and the men antipodean to the core. Lead singer, song writer and driving force for the band is actor extroidinaire, Russell Crowe. But this is no vanity band. Crowe has been a musician longer than he's been an actor. This is a different and important creative outlet from his "day job", which just happens to involve creating characters on screen and winning Oscars in the process.

His music exposes the man, his thoughts, his heart and his soul. His band mates are also his friends. Lead guitarist Dean Cochran has been his closest friend since they were both teens in New Zealand.

Above all, this documentary allows us a look at how this unique band tries to pull it all together to perform and record, and the interaction with fans. It is one of the best Rock and Roll docu's I've seen. Fantastic cinematography, sound and cinema verite' style.

"Texas" follows the members of Russell Crowe's band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, on a journey to record a new CD. The film follows the close-knit band as they journey from Australia to England and then onto Austin, Texas during the summer of 2000.

The band's lead guitarist and Crowe's song-writing partner, Dean Cochran, is the film's narrator. Crowe and Cochran are close friends and this film documents their long friendship almost as much as it documents the music they make together.

Crowe and his band mates are surprisingly crude but they always have something funny to say.

I found the film highly engaging. It really captures the band's energy and the joy they have while playing together.

Seeing this film is the next best thing to seeing them play live.

Picked up my copy at a TOFOG concert in August 2001. Not having a clue what it was about -- other than featuring the band -- I was amazed by how masterfully it was crafted. The technology employed for the many hidden surprises far surpasses anything I've seen to date, and the effort to 'crack the code' before the hints were posted on TOFOG's official website were well worth the time and effort.

This is a true 'behind the scenes' or 'on the road' documentary that doesn't seem contrived in the least. You really get the sense, that for the most part, the band members forgot the cameras were there.

The music is good, and the live coverage of the 2000 concerts in Austin almost give the sense that you're there with them. Since the band doesn't tour often, this DVD will satiate any fan's longing and help hold back the tide until the next live concert comes their way.

~Jaylen

Dean (Mr. Shy himself) actually speaks! Not only does he speak, but he did a great job narrating. I liked everyone's sense of humor. OK...Maybe Mark could tone it down a bit...but just a bit. LOL

This DVD is the first thing I've seen that gives real insight into the band that is TOFOG. The DVD covers the band's creation and the changes the guys have experienced over the years. The fans finally get to hear Dean Cochran, Dave Kelly, Garth Adam, Russell Crowe, Stewart Kirwan, and last but NOT least, Dave Wilkins talk about the music and, of course, they get to hear the music as it was recorded live in the summer of 2000.

As I don't own DVDs of other bands, I have nothing to compare. All I know is that I have enjoyed this DVD immensely. As a fan of the band, I find it to be a real treasure. Would it be a S P O I L E R if I said that it also contains my favorite song, All the White Circles (the loooong version!). The music is, of course, the best part!

While I loved the concert footage, which truly ROCKS, this film is more importantly a unique glimps into the personalities of the band members, their relationships with each other and what goes into preparing and putting on a concert. I've spent a little time with some of the band members and can honestly say that they are exactly the same as in the movie. Funny, fun loving, very nice people who take their music very seriously. As great as TOFOG's albums are, their live performances are 10 times better because they love to perform and that energy and excitment comes across well in the film.

The hidden parts of the DVD are wonderful. It's like seeing a different movie each time you watch it. Being able to change the camera angles and scenes keeps it fresh, new and exciting.