The Glamour & the Squalor (2015)

Powerful

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Seattle has grown exponentially over the past several decades, especially in its music scene. The Glamour & the Squalor artfully illustrates Marco Collin's life as the catalyst that springboards Seattle onto the musical map. The film is stimulating with all of the textures, flavors, sounds, and acute details; truly giving the essence of Seattle justice. The well-executed story line successfully brings you to empathize with Marco, savoring his successes and commiserating in his trials. The greatest takeaway from this film for me was the message to pursue your passions fearlessly, which I think is easier said than for anyone to truly believe and do like Marco had done. A brilliant, inspiring film.

Director Marq Evans was listening to a radio station playing older music and talking to older/former DJ's and found himself memorized by one time Seattle based DJ Marco Collins. Some several years later, including two kicker starter campaigns, his "The Glamour & Squalor" is now making the festival rounds. Here, Evans introduces and reminds radio music fans that DJ Marco Collins bucked the mainstream radio air waves back in 1900's "playing music other stations couldn't/wouldn't," thus introducing the listening audience to such bands as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Beck (to name a few), and even todays electronic music. He did this as a closeted gay man, until he was outed by one his bands, then used his popularity to help Washington become one of the first states to allow marriage equality. Unfortunately, he fell victim to the 24/7 lifestyle and his families addiction legacy, which pretty much cost him his career. Through interesting music industry interviews, and words of wisdom from friends and colleagues, Director Evans provides an entertaining look back at the heyday of radio and this intriguing DJ who helped pushed the radio airwaves kicking and screaming into the future.

Pacific NW underground rock fans like myself remember Marco Collins almost as much as the famous bands he played each night on his radio show. For those not from the Northwest his name might not be familiar but if you had a radio in the 90's his impact on who you heard being played through it was. This film brings Marco's life - both the highs and lows - to the audience in a powerful way. The music is great, the interviews range between humorous and heart breaking and the film is shot beautifully. The film never gets too overly dramatic and sensationalized and has you wanting to keep following the story of Marco when the credits start to roll.

As a DJ myself, this was a wonderful look into a slice of life during a very exciting time in music. Marco Collins is passionate about what he does and I could relate on many levels to his life and his passion. I found this to be a very honest and moving film depicting the rise, fall and return of this music taste maker who suffered from addiction to the point of losing it all. We follow Collins though his youth of being bullied in the school yard for being different, to working at 91 x in San Diego and then on to 107.7 The End in Seattle right before the Grunge scene exploded in the 90's. Collins was the ear and eye to this most prolific musical scene in Seattle, often playing the bands before anyone else, launching these musicians to stardom in an era where a DJ could still influence listeners and record labels. There is much to teach to youth in this film about drug abuse and its severe consequences. But most importantly, this film's message is about being yourself and following your dreams.