I just watched an enjoyable documentary called ‘American Hardcore’ about the heyday of the American Hardcore punk scene from 1981 - 1984. While one could quibble with some of the choices the filmmakers made as well as some of the omissins (legal snags kept the Dead Kennedys from the film, and, as a consequence, there’s also no mention of Jello Biafra’s seminal Alternative Tentacles label), it’s generally a well-informed portrait of the movement produced by people who were a part of it.

The usual suspects (Hank Rollins, Ian MacKaye, Greg Ginn, etc…) are there and represent themselves well. A special treat, though, is watching Chicago’s own Vic Bondi speak. The former Articles of Faith frontman is a passionate and articulate social critic, and his interview scenes are among the most compelling in the film. He’s seen briefly in the official film trailer.

By the way, I still have my copy of Articles of Faith’s What We Want is Free 7 inch. I think it’s time to put it on and annoy my neighbors. Vic Bondi has a very good band with former Jawbox guy J Robbins called Report Suspicious Activity.