PopHorror Let's Get Scared
When I was 12, I found punk rock. I was constantly being harassed, and this music touched me. It made me feel good, insane. I remember how violent the bands were at the time. I may have come late in the game, but I haven’t turned my back since. The bands I idolized were the ones screaming about real life instead of being “punk” this or “punk that”. One of the bands I absolutely idolize still, to this day, is The Descendents. I swear this film is as important as spray cheese and crackers. Filmage: The Story of the Descendents is easily a safe place for me.
In a world of screaming and throwing chairs in the pit, instead you had a nerd on stage screaming about some girl that broke his heart. It’s a different setting; I related to all these damn songs like a bible verse. Filmage: The Story of the Descendents is a thrill ride for people who always wanted to see the band telling stories about drinking mud coffee to stay hyper, and greasy fast food like Wiener schnitzel, my favorite junk food. As a kid in Southern California, life kind of sucked. Most people who end up there know one day they won’t be able to afford to live there. I will always love my home, though.
Filmage: The Story of the Descendents sheds light on a lot of things I always wondered, like how the band started and a play-by-play of how they came to be with their current lineup that has been the same since the early 90’s. The Descendents are punk rock royalty for a reason, because they gave everyone something to relate to. They didn’t have to sing about beer or being punk, which we can see in the song lovingly called “I’m Not A Punk”.
Better Than Sliced Bread
Filmage: The Story of the Descendents hit all of my nostalgic memories, talking about how they helped shape the punk rock scene today. This film is for the super fans, or maybe someone just interested in learning about the best punk rock band ever. Filmage also takes a deep dive into the band’s fanbase and why we are so dedicated. I can definitely say that it helped me through so many lows in my life. The film represents a band that had broken up and got back together, even with a different name and singer; however, no one messes with Milo Aukerman because he will set you straight. It’s like “match kerosene boom” when this band takes the stage, and the noise from the crowd is deafening and also therapeutic through lots of noise and circle pits.
I can vouch for how fan-friendly the Descendents are; One Milo Aukerman on our webshow contacted the lead singer for an interview on our podcast a few years ago. He handed me a VIP pass, which, well, it made me go freaking nuts. I didn’t even know what to say to these people that are so important to me and my survival. You will find a lot more like me throughout the film. They understand their importance to the scene and in the film, admitting that every time Milo left the band to become a rocket scientist (yes, really).
The film not only made me a fanboy, but it meant so much to my youth.
In The End
I can watch this film over and over and still feel the exact same magic I put so much faith into. Filmage: The Story of the Descendents is a film where you always find something new to learn. It brings me to my happy place where I can feel comfortable knowing a lot of people understand me and my mental health symptoms, and no matter how far out of reality I get, I can always just put the playlist go wild while coping and convincing myself to wake and go to school. I will go to my grave swearing to everyone that this is absolutely my favorite band in the world. Knowing their story made me idolize them more and more.
