What Did You Expect? The Archers of Loaf Live at Cat's Cradle

Concert films can be very hit or miss...sometimes it's the band (and the director) going through the motions to capture an experience, other times it can transport you to the show.

I first saw this movie at the Brattle Theater in Cambridge and after the first song (Audiowhore) I had to stop myself from clapping as I forgot I wasn't actually at the rock show.

The shots of the band and the shots of the crowd really give you the sense of what it's like to see this band and to see them in the Cat's Cradle (one of the greatest rock clubs in America). The sound (courtesy of Brian Paulson) is out of this world and Merge Records should seriously consider releasing this as a live album.

The interviews in between songs are a great insight into the band and each member's personality. The story of the name is great.

The band's performance here is great--I'd seen them live at several points throughout their history and must say that they bring the same level of passion here that they always have. The set-list is fantastic; they play some rarities that I don't think I ever got to see performed live.

Above all, though, is the sound quality. Play this as loud as you can, because the Loaf have NEVER sounded better live. Massive kudos to the sound people on this one. Seriously, well done. WOW.

Highlights include the traditional, frenetic show-opener of "Audiowhore," as well as an emotional (and absolutely flawless) "All Hail The Black Market." For me, the most noteworthy aspect of this show is just the masterful execution of the entire selection of songs here, even the few songs I have personally played to death over the years. They bring a fresh and enthusiastic approach to all of these songs, after all this time.

Greetings,

To me, the Archers of Loaf were the single greatest band of the 90s. They saved my love of music after The Replacement broke up, and I truly felt no band would ever fill those dirty Converse All Stars.

I will always remember the first time I saw the Archers live at a CMJ showcase at Tramps in NYC. Within 30 seconds I knew I had discovered my new favorite band. And that's never changed. I do honestly believe WEB IN FRONT is the greatest song ever written. Ever. It makes me happy. The band makes me happy.

But of course all good things must come to an end as they did in 1998. A true story: I knew the band, and knew WHITE TRASH HEROES would be their last album. The day it was released I drove some 45 minutes to pick it up, and listened to it blissfully for the first time on the ride home, having to pull over as the last song came on, because knowing it was the last new song I'd ever hear from them I began to cry. I sat in a bank parking lot the tears flowing uncontrollably as the final refrains of that amazing title track played on my car's speakers.

Jump forward to 2011. My first rock documentary, COLOR ME OBSESSED, A FILM ABOUT THE REPLACEMENTS, was doing quite well on the festival circuit. I knew I wanted to make a second rock doc. And one afternoon my wife informed me that the Archers were reuniting for a tour, and I knew I had my next subject. I won't go into the details of talking the camera-sky band into the project, but after seeing their two LA performances I knew I had to do everything in my power to forever preserve this energy for future generations. Especially in a time when going to a rock show usually means seeing a wimpy band who looks even more bored than the texting crowd members who are more interested in talking or being seen.

Cat's Cradle was the obvious venue. So I got together some of my favorite crew members I'd worked with in recent years. Jan Radder and Sarah Hajtol, who were my right and left hands in making COLOR ME. Adrian Correia who did such an amazing job shooting my FRIENDS (WITH BENEFITS) -- the original FWB movie. As well as Cory Maffucci and Andrew Ross. We had seven cameras in all, with me on Eric Johnson's side of the stage, Sarah on Matt Gentling's, Jan with two cameras behind drummer Mark Price, Adrian roaming the audience, Cory watching over the REd One capturing our wide shot, and Andrew on the catwalk covering the crowd.

I shot the interviews myself a few months later in their hometown of Asheville, then I went home and cut together the truly mind-blowing footage to Brian Paulson's astounding mix.

I've made a number of films, written a bunch of books, but never in 30 years did I have more fun doing anything. This is my proudest moment as a filmmaker, because not only do I feel I have made a great film, I know I have helped preserve an important part of rock history, proof that rock once had balls, and at times, still can.

I love this band, and have never found a replacement for them. I doubt I ever will.

Thank you for reading. Enjoy the movie!

Gorman Bechard

P.S. The DVD which is being released on 11/20/12 contains 6 additional songs from the two Cradle shows, and 4 extra interviews with the band members.

Filmmaker Gorman Bechard and his production team have artfully captured the Archers' energy and skill on stage, the bouncing, lyrics-shouting revelry the band inspires among their audience, and the enveloping joy of just being in the room amidst it all.

The reunited foursome is tight and well rehearsed, with spot-on timing and solid accuracy in their playing. Best of all, they seem to be having a great time once again cranking out these tunes after a decade-plus hiatus, and they seem to get real satisfaction from the fans' enthusiastic reactions (Bachmann confirms that notion in the film).

The band's great performance also comes wrapped in some lovely packaging. Simply stated, this is a really well-done concert documentary. Courtesy of Brian Paulson (audio), Gorman Bechard (video), and their team, the film looks and sounds fantastic. The cuts between the six camera angles are skillful and unobtrusive, and the camera placements and movements are nicely used to convey intimacy and intensity. The interviews with the band, interspersed throughout the film, are funny, engaging, and even revealing.

Yes, their hard-core fans from the 1990s have likely seen all of these songs performed before -- perhaps several times. But it's hard to recall when the Archers have sounded better live. Bachmann's vocals are more melodic, a touch less forced, and the entire group sounds punchier than we remembered at a couple of Toronto shows during its heyday, but just as edgy and no less catchy. There were no new songs being test-driven for the Cat's Cradle crowd during those two shows (the group is still unsure if a return to the studio is in its future), making this documentary a veritable best-of collection that, dare we say, could even attract the Archers new followers. Meanwhile, Gorman Bechard's affection for and familiarity with the group and its body of work, shines through in both the concert footage and at-home interviews. If you were into that rich mid-90s indie music scene, this is definitely worth checking out.