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plot summary: Director Brad Beesley had a video camera. And he happened to live a few blocks away from the quirky, dreamy, expirimental Flaming Lips in Oklahoma. So, the guy got enlisted to create a documentary on the boys. Dang, my neighbors are mostly elderly folks...
review: "You know, I've never been a big fan of alternative music, but these guys rocked the house!" --- Steve Sanders (Ian Ziering), Beverly Hills, 90210
There is such a warm spot in my heart for those quirky Flaming Lips boys! So, I was sooo thrilled to finally get to see this documentary the other night, at Seattle's blessed EMP! YAY!
Now, what's funny is that despite my great love for the band now, I actually used to loathe them. My old friend Malcolm (hi Malcolm!) was a huge early Lips fan, and I just couldn't get into their loud, more-punk-rawkish sound. Plus, I couldn't seem to get past Wayne's Dave-Pirner-esque dreadlocks and their guest appearance on 90210. ; )
This film has loads of footage of those early raucous days, including old concert footage where the band were lighting cymbals on fire. There's some especially funny footage from Wayne's brother who said there were many times they were sure the club was going to go down in flames!
Others interviewed include Wayne's long-time girlfriend, Michelle, who basically describes her paramour as a huge "workaholic."
All in all, it was a wonderful glimpse into the wacky way-out world of these enigmatic Oklahomans, but I guess I was expecting something a little bit more intimate and personal. Like, what the heck happened to former guitarist Ronald Jones who left the band sometime after the release of Clouds Taste Metallic? (Beesley told our audience that Jones is living with his parents in Oklahoma and not doing much of anything...how sad!!!) And I think there was a brief interview clip with Wayne's mom, but frankly, I would've liked to have heard more from her, especially regarding his Dad's battle with cancer, since my favorite Lips' album The Soft Bulletin was so deeply affected by this. In fact, the whole Soft Bulletin experience is only gently glossed over, with no real in-depth coverage at all. Although I was intrigued to learn that Wayne spent many, many years working at Long John Silver's. : )
But, really, it's a very interesting slice of film! Any Lips' fan would surely enjoy it! (janice.03.02)
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