The Smart Studios Story

The post-70’s explosion of independent music in America has many traceable roots, each with a compelling story. One of its most significant has never been told until now. Drawing on never-before-seen archival footage, in-depth-interviews with musicians and producers, and a mighty soundtrack, THE SMART STUDIOS STORY reveals the pivotal Midwest link to the global rise of 1990's Alternative Rock and the unassuming Madison, Wisconsin recording studio at its center. If you’ve ever been touched by the music of Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage, L7 or their peers, you’ve been touched by the music created at Smart Studios, the legendary recording facility founded by Butch Vig and Steve Marker.

Kandyland: The Movie

In February 2016, rock 'n' roll trio Thelma & the Sleaze embarked on the world's first “Intra-City Tour”. They played 31 shows in 29 days and raffled off a promotional mini-van in the process, in an unprecedentedly absurd publicity stunt that raised the bar for independent artists everywhere. Exploring the furthest of reaches of Nashville’s music scene, blazing new trails in its wake, the film follows the twists and turns, triumphs and follies of all 29 days as Thelma & the Sleaze bring their raw rock 'n' roll fury through DIY spaces, art galleries, laundromats, screen printing shops, record stores, clothing shops, candy factories, roller rinks and even a McDonald’s.

Patti Smith Group: Rockpalast 1979

The Patti Smith Group's Rockpalast performance in 1979 was a live concert broadcast as part of the German Rockpalast series. The band at that time included Patti Smith, Lenny Kaye, Ivan Kral, Jay Dee Daugherty, and Richard Sohl. This performance is notable as it captured the band during a period of their career following the release of their album "Easter" in 1978.

Target Video Underground Forces, Vol. 3

Performances by Killing Joke, Germs, Screamers, Flipper, Silvertone, Subhumans, The Gun Club, DOA, Dead Kennedys, John Cooper Clark, Jaks Skate Team, Raybeats and Throbbing Gristle-Discipline from Target masters.

Target Video Underground Forces, Vol. 2

Performances by Sex Pistols, UK Decay, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Bauhaus, Young Marble Giants, Brian Brain, Black Flag w/ Dez, Ramones, No Alternative, Talking Heads, Flipper, Weirdos, Crime, and Devo

Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line

Across a 45-year career ‘The Oils’ helped shape modern Australia with anthems like “US Forces”, “Beds Are Burning” and “Redneck Wonderland”. Featuring unseen footage and interviews with every band member, alongside signature moments including the outback tour with Warumpi Band, their Exxon protest gig in New York and those famous “Sorry” suits at the Sydney Olympics, Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line traces the journey of Australia’s quintessential rock band.

Garage Rockin' Craze

A savage journey into the heart of underground Tokyo rock and roll, a look at the people who make it thrive, and stories of their dedication to keeping DIY culture alive.

Filmage: The Story of Descendents/All

Long before Green Day and Blink 182 inflicted punk-rock's puncture wound on the map of mainstream music, the Descendents were at home concocting the perfect mix of pop, angst, love, and coffee. FILMAGE: The Story of DESCENDENTS/ALL follows drummer/square-peg Bill Stevenson and his 'caffeinated retardedness' as he pushes his rotating door of bandmates to 'achieve ALL,' his philosophy of going for greatness at all costs. Stevenson is a force to be reckoned with--not even grapefruit-sized brain tumors can keep him down.

If It Ain't Stiff: The Stiff Records Story

Adrian Edmondson narrates a documentary chronicling the story of Stiff Records, a tiny independent that took music out of the boardroom and gave it back to the fans. Stiff's successes included Nick Lowe, the Damned, Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, Madness, Tracey Ullman and the Pogues. Contributors include Captain Sensible, Jonathan Ross, Suggs, Shane MacGowan and label founders Jake Riviera and Dave Robinson.

Rize

A documentary film that highlights two street derived dance styles, Clowning and Krumping, that came out of the low income neighborhoods of L.A.. Director David LaChapelle interviews each dance crew about how their unique dances evolved. A new and positive activity away from the drugs, guns, and gangs that ruled their neighborhood. A raw film about a growing sub-culture movements in America.

Cosmic Psychos: Blokes You Can Trust

Form small beginnings on a Victorian farm to globetrotting punk rock icons, the Cosmic Psychos became one of Australia's most influential bands. Now after thirty years of music making, 'Cosmic Psychos: Blokes You Can Trust' documents the highs and lows of the group's musical career as told by members from the Melvins, L7, Mud Honey, Pearl Jam, and The Hard-Ons with other international music producers and from the Cosmic Psycho band members themselves.

Don't Fall in Love with Yourself

A documentary about the life and music of Justin Pearson. An enigmatic underground musician and owner of Three One G records.

Pennsylvania Hardcore

Pennsylvania Hardcore is a documentary covering a 30- year History of the underground hardcore bands from Pennsylvania. 200 interviews were done in making this film. The ones telling the story are the ones that wrote it. Many pictures and videos were giving to show how strong the states hardcore history really is.

Evil Lives: The Misfits A.D.

A fan produced, unauthorized, non profit concert documentary featuring the Misfits playing their first show since 1983. Glenn Danzig and Jerry Only reuniting with Doyle as "The Misfits" to play two Riot Fest dates in 2016 was an unparalleled example of Hell truly freezing over. A obsession with a single challenge developed: Could one rip all of the crowd shot videos floating around on YouTube and sync their audio in order to recreate the FULL 80 minute show? The answer was yes.

Michale Graves Live at Europa

A feature length concert film of the former frontman of the resurrected Misfits, Michale Graves at the Europa Club in Brooklyn, NY.

Remember Who's Emma

A documentary about Who's Emma, a collective of punks and anarchists that existed in Toronto's Kensington Market from 1996 to 2000.

Punk im Dschungel

Documentary about the tour of the Swabian punk band Cluster Bomb Unit through Indonesia in 2005.

There Is No Authority But Yourself

A Dutch documentary about the history of the anarchist punk band Crass. The film features archival footage of the band, and interviews with former members Steve Ignorant, Penny Rimbaud and Gee Vaucher.

We Were There to Be There

On June 13, 1978, the punk bands the Cramps and the Mutants played a free show for psychiatric patients at the Napa State Hospital in California. We Were There to Be There chronicles the people, politics, and cultural currents that led to the show and its live recording.

Pontormo and Punks at Santa Croce