Another State of Mind (1984)

The Worst Film Ever

Simply Perfect

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

I saw this movie tonight for the first time since 1985, when I caught it on Night Flight. Seeing it 28 years later, I was amazed how much of it I was still able to recall, but more than that, how much the perception of Punk has changed since the 80's. Having a shaved head or pink hair does not raise an eyebrow today, you even see kids with those kind of hair styles, tattoos and body modifications, who aren't into punk, or aware of where those styles originated from. A number of times in the Movie, you have various punks mention how people harass them for their appearance, and it was so true, back then it took a lot of guts to walk around like that. This movie brought back a lot of memories of being a teenage punk, how it was almost like belonging to a secret society that most people had no idea existed. I also like how un-PC punks were back then, unlike today's army of whiners. I wonder what became of some of the people in the Film? Like Marcel or that gorgeous death rocker Valerie ? In all it's a very interesting time capsule of a time that will always be dear to me.

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.

Another state of mind is an excellent movie that shows the trails of life back in the 80's punk rock scene. It follows three punk bands (social Distortion, Youth Brigade and Minor Threat) on their North America tour in a broken down school bus. Their goal was not only spread the word of punk and their music, but also to promote themselves as So. Cal punks that aren't out to hurt anyone. I love this movie because it's not only real, but it shows a different side of the spectrum when it comes to people thinking punks were just bad kids that only cared about hurting the system and destroying the government. This movie will open your eyes to a new world that you wouldn't normal see and relate to as the 80's. It's has a more meaningful subtext then just a bunch of punks doing a bunch of shows.

This documentary follows members of the bands Social Distortion and Youth Brigade on an ill-fated tour across the U.S. and Canada. They fix up an old school bus that has seen better days, pack up all the band members and roadies, and set out on a tight budget. The farther they go, the more strained things get - Social Distorion almost breaks up because the going got to rough for 'em ('cept for Mike Ness, bless 'im) and the bus breaks down and they just can't go on, so they stay with Minor Threat for a couple of days and then pack it in. Lots of interviews with real punks, lots of concert footage with some *excellent* music (all three bands are great) and shows that even though the tour was a failure overall, people can still do things on their own with limited funds if their hearts are really in it and they can maintain unity. Some scenes are funny, some are kind of scary (those Canadian punks were kinda feral), and a sense of desperation builds... but it's always real and always true. Don't miss a chance to see this one - I've watched it probably a hundred times and don't mind if I see it a hundred more.