SYNOPSICS
Working Class Rock Star (2008) is a English movie. Justin McConnell has directed this movie. Randy Blythe,Dave Brockie,Jean-François Dagenais,Alex Delis are the starring of this movie. It was released in 2008. Working Class Rock Star (2008) is considered one of the best Documentary,Music movie in India and around the world.
The music industry is changing, record sales are down, artists are making less money, and mediocrity holds sway. Yet there are more bands than ever before working for years just to receive even the tiniest drop of success. Following the lives and careers of Tub Ring, Bloodshoteye, and 3 Mile Scream, with supporting interviews from major players in the heavy music scene, this documentary sheds light on why some bands never make it and why the ones that break realize only too soon that life on a label is only the beginning of their troubles.
Working Class Rock Star (2008) Trailers
Same Director
Working Class Rock Star (2008) Reviews
Says a lot that needs to be said
I caught this at a premiere screening in Toronto back in June. It was a cool night, they even had a concert following it under the same ticket price. I couldn't go to the concert, but I'm happy I saw the film. Afterward I talked briefly with the director, and apparently he shot most of this movie by himself, with his own money. All said pretty impressive considering what he managed to pull off. In the film you follow 3 different bands, all of which seem pretty talented and down to earth people. Bloodshoteye and 3 Mile Scream are younger, but seem to really have their head in the game. Tub Ring seem to have more experience and been around longer. Was neat to see their lives and how they clash with the life on the road and in a band. There's also a bunch of interviews with people from bigger bands, like Lamb of God and GWAR. I found Dave Brockie (Oderus' real name) from GWAR to be funny as hell, and really insightful. Classic rocker Frank Marino comes off best though, saying some pretty eye opening things. If you're a musician artist or anything I highly recommend this. Piracy, label changes, the good and the ugly are all covered here in some way. You don't have to be a metal fan either, but it helps. More people need to see this film.
This film has been made millions of times
This film has nothing new or original to say about the music industry, touring or anything related to bands. It truly does not go beyond the clichés. I really expected some insight on how things are different for musicians today, than they were in the seventies, eighties, or nineties, but nothing. The interviews are wall to wall and mostly dull. They are in it for the music, not for the fame. They are poor and struggling. They hate people who are pretentious. They want success on their own terms. They are struggling to raise families, hold down day jobs. The tour van is uncomfortable and breaks down. The record companies only care about making money. The bands do seem talented but the filmmaker fails to demonstrate how any of them have any wow factor, or deserve to be elevated above the pack. It honestly feels like the director wanted to make a movie about his friends without considering how this could be original, thoughtful, or interesting to anyone outside of his circle. Sorry but unless you grew up in a cave, and thought that everybody who wants fame automatically gets it, this film has nothing to offer. My recommendations: Dig, and PBS's Frontline: The Way the Music Died.
Interesting but incomplete documentary
I stumbled across this documentary by accident in a local indy record store. I'm more of a progressive rock, British 70's metal and early thrash fan, so I didn't really care for much of the music. On the DVD there's a selection of videos featuring whole songs. Tub Ring look like college frat boys, not at all like rock stars, and their name is a bit dorky, but their music is just quirky enough I'll probably check them out later. Anyway, on with reviewing the movie. The format here is pretty straightforward. Director Justin McConnell goes on tour and into the recording studio with three up-and-coming acts, then mingles in some candid and frank interview snippets of music celebrities who've already "made it." I don't know if McConnell has seen or is referencing Penelope Spheeris' "The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years," but "Working Class Rock Star" is definitely a worthy follow-up to that. And in comparing the two films, something greater might just be revealed about where we currently stand in history. The decline of western civilization, indeed. Whereas Metal Years focused primarily on how musicians dealt with the onslaught of fame (or the narcissistic desire for fame), this documentary focuses primarily on the musicians' support network friends, family, lovers, and (lastly) record labels and everyone's egos seem to be firmly in check. Frank Marino of Mahogany Rush (his hair still looks great, btw) gives a little monologue at the end of this film giving away the Secret Rock Star Formula, which was brilliant, but would probably have been more relevant to the Spheeris film. This film is about where these guys (and one gal) get the creative, moral, spiritual and financial support to do the things they love doing... making music and taking it on the road. The portrait of the family behind the band Bloodshoteye is absolutely beautiful (if only the singer didn't go all Cookie Monster, I might want to listen to them). The documentary is incomplete, however, in that while it continually condemns the greedy aspirations of record labels, it never actually goes to a record label to see what those conniving worms might have to say in their own defense. Maybe McConnell just couldn't get an audience with anyone willing to talk on camera, I don't know. But it certainly would have been interesting and informative to hear what the corporate bean-counters have to say about how they view the music industry and how it operates. So, bottom line... I enjoyed this film greatly, and would recommend it highly to anybody who even thinks they'd enjoy it.
Insightful
Whether a musician yourself or just a fan of music, this documentary will interest you. Working Class Rock Star brings you behind the scenes to look at the reality of the life of a musician. From record contract nightmares to grueling tour scheduals it shows the real work that goes on behind the music. The film features sage advice for up coming musicians from experienced bands such as Lamb of God, Mahogany Rush, The Haunted, Arch Enemy, and GWAR. Also included is a detailed look into bands just getting into the game. All around, the film gives a good overall look at what it is like to be in the music industry today.
Saying somethings that need to be said
The music industry isn't your friend. It's a business that uses all sort of shady tactics to make money. They're not interested in art unless it can make them money. I found this film to be an important statement on music piracy although not the main focus of the film. How the music industry acts like if you pirate a song music as a whole will come to an end but to realize that these people are playing music because they love it. This film shows artists who're truly passionate and portrays them quite well. Working Class Rockstar helps to gives much needed perspective to how being a full time musician works out for the majority of musicians and how real talent earns their stripes. It's a very important movie for everyone to really see how business is done. For a young film maker McConnell shows passion and potential. Very entertaining and informative, I recommend this film to ever one.