What Poor Gods
We Do Make:
the Story & Music Behind
Naked Raygun
Riotfest Records
Directred by Jeff Poremba
and Michael Petryshyn.
Reviewed By Carl Macki
Band Personnel
Jeff Pezzati -- vocals
Eric Spicer -- drums
Pierre Kezdy -- bass
Bill Stephens -- guitar
DVD will go on sale via
www.indietickets.com
on Friday, November 30
at Noon for $20.
This is the full treatment of the new version
(since 2006)
of Naked Raygun,
a highly praised but rarely seen band outside of its local
environs -- the Chicagoland area.
The Chicago
Hardcore punk scene is lively. However, only a few bands such
as The Effigies, Naked Raygun and Steve Albini's Big Black,
generated much notice outside past the Midwest. As the video
quickly explains, the members of the Naked Raygun had full
time blue collar jobs and only toured infrequently, most
always while on vacation from their main sources of income.
This may be
changing with the resurrection of the performing side of the
band, a new album in the works, this video, a new and growing
fan base; all due in part to the bold decision by the current
drummer to contact the promoter of Chicago's Riotfest in 2006,
and book the band without telling the other members first.
"What Poor Gods We
Do Make: The Story and Music Behind Naked Raygun," does tell
the band's history and the crafting of its sound from
"Basement Screams" and "Throb Throb" to "Raygun. . . Naked
Raygun," and beyond-- with the notice of the frequent changes
in side personnel, yet always maintaining Jeff Pezzati as lead
singer..
The current band
members and manager and producers are all interviewed; and
interesting onlookers such as influential punk/industrial
producer Steve Albini, members of the Effigies ,the
Bollweevils, The Lawrence Arms, 88 Fingers Louie, and rock
critics Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis give valuable insight.
Naked Raygun has
been known for doing a lot of covers from like-minded
bands--the Buzzocks, Johnny Cash, Stiff Little Fingers and the
Jam. An indescribably sweet treat is the inclusion of concert
footage of them with Jake Burns (lead singer of SLF), singing
lead vocals on "Suspect Device (see
video)"
I liked the
interspersed commentary on Chicago's independent punk
scene,along with the band's song and concert footage. It
actually seemed to run longer than it was, but wasn't a drag
to watch at any time.
This video comes
with a 22-song CD I haven't listened to yet,
All in all, his is highly recommended. I consider it to be one
of the best punk documentary video of 2007, perhaps the best I
have seen, because it is focuses on one topic, gives a
reasonably complete account of the bands twenty plus years, is
excellently produced and contains thoughtful commentary by
band members and associates with dispassion but commitment..
Special Presale
Tickets for their first major all ages show of 2008 -- with
Naked Raygun, The Bollweevils,
The Effigies and Shot Baker -- at the
House of Blues, (329 North Dearborn, Chicago) on
Friday, April 27th will go on sale at
Ticketmaster by January 10th; and regular tickets will be
available starting the 13th.
