Skum Rocks!

Part documentary, part madness. Coming out of left field is a film about a band (kind of) that you may or may have not heard of and their unusual path to their first album.

The first act of the film left me really intrigued as I wasn't sure what I was watching. It walks a fine line of being a reality TV show and a "mockumentary" but once the history of the band is explained it settles into a traditional narrative, showcasing the force that was SKUM! The film then takes a shift into present day showing the bands last attempt at proving that their reputation is not all non-sense, but something that does resemble a rock band.

This documentary properly displays the pathetic side to the rock and roll lifestyle. Although, I can look at this documentary and see that is well put together, I just have no liking towards any of these gentleman (hardly).

First off, all these "rockers" are all old, bald or balding men, with sunglasses on while doing their interviews. All of them!! It's hard for me to know who is essentially who in this doc, even when I have to rewind it two or three times to keep up with. Why should I like these people?

I admit I have a bias towards the rock and roll industry, in that I think the culture is quite pathetic. if anything, the doc, in ways, points this out to us, especially when it comes to this particular band.

The only person I feel sorry for in this doc is the filmmaker when he gets framed for burglary by the band members for filming in the wrong location (although I did get a good chuckle).

I like the structure of the doc, proving humor when needed, as well as the pacing was on par. I am not trying to take anything away from the filmmaker here, I just am not enthusiastic on the subject matter and there is no drive for me to like or love these characters/subjects of "Skum Rocks." Alice Cooper was a great narrator though.

Skum Rocks was a great documentary, it truly allows you to feel like your in the position of these rock stars. Even though they are not very talented (music world) they still put on a great show and it makes for a great movie! You are really able to see how these group of men can basically fool everyone that they are this great band even though they have never put on a full show. Not to mention that Director Clay Westervelt does a fantastic job on exposing each member of the band and getting each one of their stories. I felt that it was a very well done documentary and everyone should take some time out of their day to view it. SKUM ROCKS!! (literally they rock)

Have you ever been to a concert that showcased a terrible band? Well this documentary will most likely rehash that past incident.

I am sure you are familiar with the saying, "Work hard, play hard". Well Skum had the 'play hard' portion down quite well. Sadly, they didn't have much in the way of 'working hard'. This is a big reason for why most people have no clue who they are. I know it was the first time I had heard of them.

As for the documentary itself, it was well done and had a lot of comedic points to it. It's a sort of true Spinal Tap. I say it's worth a watch!

If you want to make it in this business, always work harder than you play. Ask Skum about that one.

I had never heard of the band Skum and I will probably never hear of them again.... I LOVE them nonetheless! These guys took success and defined it in their own image and relentlessly pushed it to the limit. They leave nothing less than turmoil in their wake as they travel down their talentless pathway to glory, but that's what makes them so rock-n-roll!!! The long list of cameo's blew my mind! If there is one lesson to be learned from these absurd dilettantes, there's more to life than being talented. The enigma of their rise, the grace of their fall and the moxie of their return are a delight. The number of allies are few, and the foes are plentiful. They have truly mastered their ruse!