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I’ve been a slave to heavy metal for as long as remember. I regularly listen for messages from Satan so that I might better do his bidding. And I also own spiked bracelets and pants made from assorted animal skins (I’m not saying I wear any of them with great regularity- it’s just that I have them with me in case I need them, which is the important part). The reason I bring this up is, a few years ago, when I was doing some of my regular metal research, I began scouring the Internet for information about Saint Vitus, one of my favorite metal bands. I was doing this because a lot of the time when I’m listening to metal I also like to read about metal. And while I was reading up on Saint Vitus, I saw a mention of a band they list as an influence, Pentagram. Somehow, even though- as mentioned- I am a slave to metal, I had never heard of them. Still, I figured if they were good enough to influence Saint Vitus (who are totally sweet), they must be pretty fucking sweet, so I decided to seek them out. And I’m glad I did because they are basically the best band ever, a mix of Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, Deep Purple, the Yardbirds, and more drugs than any of those bands have ever consumed combined. I was instantly hooked and listened to pretty much nothing but Pentagram for the next few months straight. I forced everyone who came over to my apartment to listen to them too. And I tried to bring them up in conversation whenever possible. It must have been kind of annoying now that I think about it.
Given my affinity for metal research, I soon began to read up on Pentagram too. Turns out they formed in Maryland in the ‘70s and- thanks to the lead singer/songwriter/founder Bobby Liebling’s appetite for drugs and other forms of self-destruction- achieved repeated liftoffs before repeatedly crashing to the ground and starting all over again, kind of like the Wright Brothers before they finally got it right or something, I guess.
The reason I bring all this up is this past weekend I finally got around to watching “Last Days Here”, a documentary about Bobby Liebling, on Netflix Instant. The movie has been on the festival circuit for a while but now you can and should totally watch it in your home without having to wear a laminate or a wristband or anything. You don’t have to be a slave to metal to enjoy it either- you just have to like a good story. I don’t think this ruins it for you, but the gist of it is this: a guy lives with his parents, does tons of drugs, alienates everyone around him, and almost dies a million times until he is in his 50s and finally gets it together enough to get the band back together. They play a triumphant show in New York City (Yes, I was there and was also really, really hammered) and eventually Bobby meets a twentysomething superfox and, well, I don’t even want to tell you what happens next. Just watch the movie.
Also, I was lucky enough to meet the guy who’s music I became so obsessed with. You can watch a video of us chatting here:
Bride of Evil,
Dave Hill
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Judging by that banner pic, Tilda Swinton really does throw herself completely into these roles.
The Lady Swinton is dedicated to her art. (It may or may not be my goal to become the #1 listing for tilda swinton websearches. Lilbobbytables: For all your not-necessarily-set-in-reality tilda swinton needs!)
But have you seen Dark Floors yet?
No! What’s the deal? I’ll get googling.
It’s not a documentary, but it IS a movie by Lordi, an ENORMOUSLY popular metal band in Finland. Like, CRAZY popular:
Didn’t they win Eurovision at one point? If my memory is correct, that’s kind of amazing.
That sounds sweet! I’ll check it out!
It’s on my queue! Dave, what are your top rock n roll movies of all time? List, please!
Spoiler alert: My list contains only one movie, and it is Mamma Mia.
Great, so every comment section is “thought catalog” now?
“Great, so every trip to the grocery store is ‘thought catalog’ now?” -You
The top 5 metal bands of all time, according to 14 year old Chris Trash:
1.Sleep
2. Today is The Day
3. My Dying Bride
4. Black Sabbath
5. Dogstar
Hahaha, Dogstar! Best list ever!
What about modern day Chris trash?
1. Dogstar
2. Mastodon
3. Crucifictorious
4. Black Sabbath
5. Feistodon
Wait- you mean Dogstar with Keanu Reeves?!
Anything with the Stones in the ’70s is great. Also, Stones Rock-n-Roll Circus. I loved the Lemmy documentary, though partially because he made me feel like my apartment was spartan. I just got “Slade in Flame” and am loving it. “Song Remains the Same” of course. “Purple Rain.” “Decline of Western Civilization Part II” is always fun. “Until the Light Takes Us.” “Kiss Meets the Phantom” of course. I’ll keep thinking…
If Michael Beirut isn’t in it, it isn’t a Pentagram movie.*
*designerd comment. Now everyone go watch Helvetica
In that photo he looks like the ice cream baby all grown up!
Not sure who you’re referring to. Visual reference?
Hmmm…. I do need a lowest rated for my EGOT…..
This looks like the Anvil movie but a whole lot more depressing.
There’s a big difference- Pentagram is great. No disrespect to Anvil, but their lack of initial success is no mystery- their music just wasn’t as good as their contemporaries.
I can’t hear Metal On Metal and keep a straight face. That is shitty music.
Looks more like “You’re Gonna Miss Me” to me. Either way, the trailer looks great. And, though I’m not into much metal (at all) those Pentagram songs sounded pretty great. Metally, but a little more psychedelic, perhaps?
My only connection to heavy metal is the time I met Lemmy at a bar on Sunset. He put his arm around my shoulder, pulled me in close, and said, “What do you call an Irish guy in a suit?” After a pause he growled, “The defendant!”
That’s an awesome Lemmy moment! Congrats!
Thank you Dave Hill and thanks for your great work today!