Another State of Mind

You need to get the 20th anniversary edition and watch it with the commentary it is a lot better than the regular versison

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.

If you have any love for punk rock you need to see this movie. If you call yourself straight-edge you need to see this movie. Watch how life on the road cab destroy friendships and how good intentions go away when people are faced with harsh realities of life in a bus on the road. My favorite part is actually seeing the creation process of the social distortion song "another state of mind". At one point during a minor threat show ians mike goes out and the crowd doesn't seem to care and sings in unison for him. Very powerful show scenes. If you can track down a copy of this kick ass picture buy it, hold on to it and share it.

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.

they use to play this movie in the mid to late 80s on night flights on USA network. living in a small rural community in western pennsylvania seeing this film and renting suburbia is what taught the local scene how to be punks. for so reason i don't remember any of us actually having access to decline at the time

we had no access to live bands until we made our own venues(briefly) in the early 90s, we had no connections to scenes in the near by towns and cities until we knew there was something our there to connect to. this movie more than anything else got us started, showed us what was possible(or maybe impossible), its a ten for that alone. it was eye opening, we watched this film and suddenly the world was full of possibilities that hadn't existed before(as well as hairstyles).