The Godfathers of Hardcore

Ian McFarland's Godfathers of Hardcore isn't merely a great rock doc. It's the rare sort of film created by and entrenched within a genuine DiY ethos that is, at its core, a genuine human story. In it's portrait of the friendship between Cuban born Agnostic Front frontman, Roger Miret and Little Italy born-and-bred guitarist Vinnie Stigma, McFarland has exceeded every film (and there have been a number of them) to date to spring from punk's roughest underbelly: Hardcore.

First and foremost, this is a great story about Agnostic Front's two mainstays: the thoughtful and often troubled Miret and his oft comedic, heart-of gold foil, Stigma. It's a great coming-of-age story, a great New York story and a great rock film. With the notable exception of Don Letts' Joe Strummer biopic, The Future is Unwritten, it hits marks in pacing and production values that make it a singular and affecting piece of work.

It's a buddy flick told with a Taxi Driver-like grit and a snarling soundtrack that tells the story of two men who defined New York Hardcore and never let go of their values. Now, nearly four decades later, there have been successes, failures, wives, children, heartbreak and triumphs with Agnostic Front still taking stages from Boston to Bangcock and waving the flag, not just for NYHC but for their very own spirit of independence.

I was lucky enough to get a ticket to see this at its London premiere as part of the Raindance festival. This is not your usual rockumentary, this is a story of how two influential members of the NY hardcore scene have remained part of those that want to see that scene thriving. It's candid at times as we learn more about the backgrounds and early lives of Roger Miret and Vinnie Stigma but there is also a lot of (previously unseen) footage of their band, Agnostic Front, and others as they were in the early 80s and as they are now.

Stigma and Miret don't come across as pampered self-proclaiming rock stars, they come across as decent, honest, hard-working blokes that know their limitations but give their all to a scene they helped create and that they believe in still, today.

I loved the story, I loved the footage, I realised, again, how important hardcore music is as the very basis for so much of today's rock and punk scene.

This film is absolutely tremendous. Ian McFarland has done Roger Miret, Vinnie Stigma, and the Hardcore scene in general, proud. Watch it when you can.

I'm a sucker for music documentaries and I've always been a huge fan of Agnostic Front, so of course, I was going to watch this film. But, I wasn't expecting anything more than another Hardcore film full of the history of punk and the roots of hardcore and blah blah blah. Stuff I already know. So, was I surprised when I watched "The Godfather's of Hardcore". This film is great. I love how it focus' on the personal life's of Roger Merit and Vinnie Stigma rather than the band, Agnostic Front. This film taught me things I never knew about these two punk rock legends. I highly suggest that you watch this film, you will not be disappointed. I can't recommend it enough.

Agnostic Front fans, punk fans, hell...even your parents will love this. Ian has made something truly special. Do yourself a favor and check out this incredibly well made film. Easily one of the best rock documentaries I've seen in recent years.

With the plethora of music documentaries that have come out in the last few decades, few work on the level of an actual movie. The Godfathers of Hardcore, you can tell is a labor of love from director Ian McFarland. It has all the hallmarks of a great movie... It's beautifully shot, it has real life characters that have totally different personalities yet are both engaging and important to each other. This movie takes you on a journey that will make you laugh and cry and feel happy at the end. Vinnie Stigma could have easily been a lead character in a Scorsese film and stolen the show.... But he's the real deal. He embodies New York City and it's Hardcore Punk Scene. You feel his sadness for a city that is being sold out to the wealthy and elite. It doesn't matter if you're a fan of Punk or Hardcore or Agnostic Front.. if you're a fan of great documentaries, watch this!!!!