[IMG:L]The Los Angeles Film Festival paid homage to two of punk rock’s greatest legends this year with premieres, parties and performances for What We Do Is Secret and Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten.
Based on the life of Darby Crash, the lead singer of The Germs, What We Do Is Secret chronicles the years before his alleged suicide in 1980 and the introduction of punk to the Hollywood scene. Director Rodger Grossman believes Shane West, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Darby, was perfect for the role – so much so that West is now fronting The Germs in their recent revival. “Punk rock is my favorite kind of music,” said West, who spent eight years in a punk band before joining the project. “My parents were in punk bands, so I never thought I would grow up to do what my parents did. That’s not very punk rock.” His claim to fame might be acting, but the ER star admits he’d much rather be singing in a band than playing the part of a front man in a movie. “There’s no contest,” he confessed.
“The secret to the film was the fact that it was finally finished,” West added on his way into the premiere after party at Element Hollywood. Twelve years in the making, the movie was a labor of love for everyone involved and Grossman said the movie was such a success because he “surrounded himself with great people” like his young stars West and Bijou Phillips and surviving band members Pat Smear and Lorna Doom, who served as consultants on set to ensure the films authenticity.
Kristen Bell and Danny Masterson were among party goers treated to a live by performance by West and current band members Smear, Doom and Don Bolles. Phillips, who was seen rocking out to the live set, spent over two months learning to play the bass and The Germs original music. West said Phillips “played amazingly in the film from the get-go. She learned all her parts really quickly.” The daughter of Mamas and Papas’ John Phillips, described herself as a “huge fan of punk,” then laughed and said “but given the state of society today, we’re all punk now.”
[IMG:R]The festival saved the best for last with the premiere of Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten on June 30. The movie was a fascinating look at the life of Joe Strummer, the legendary front man for The Clash, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three months after his death. Strummer is known as one of the most influential people in music because he wrote songs to raise awareness and fight against social and political injustices.
The film featured commentary by some of today’s most influential artists, including Mick Jones from The Clash, Anthony Kiedis and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bono from U2, DJ and filmmaker Don Letts, actor Steve Buscemi, actor Matt Dillon and director Martin Scorsese.
Indie 103.1 sponsored the event and broadcast Jonesy’s Jukebox live from the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre. Jonesy (Steve Jones from the Sex Pistols) interviewed LA punk band The Briggs and LA reggae band The Aggrolites, who were both invited to play their interpretations of Clash songs as a tribute to Strummer. The Briggs, who mentioned The Clash as one of their primary musical influences, kicked off the evening with “Complete Control” and “Tommy Gun.”
The Aggrolites stole the show with their amazing renditions of “Know Your Rights,” “White Man In Hammersmith Palais,” and a medley of “Bank Robber,” “Police & Thieves” and “Pressure Drop.” Jesse Wagner, vocalist and lead guitarist of The Aggrolites said, “It was an honor to be asked to perform Strummer’s songs in front of all his fans. Joe was an amazing songwriter, he was poetic and passionate. He was one of the greatest songwriters of all time.” He later added, “If it weren’t for The Clash, there would be no edge to The Aggrolites.” The Aggrolites are currently on tour promoting their new album “Reggae Hit LA.”
