Episodes
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Welcome to Nick's Pick's Vol. 4, in which we invite our friend and returning champion Nick McCann on to discuss any documentary he chooses.
Today's episode is about "Backstage", a 2000 doc about the 1999 Hard Knock Life Tour that featured several of hip-hop's top acts including Jay-Z, DMX, Method Man, and Redman. As well as, of course, Pain in da Ass. The movie was directed by Chris Fiore.
If you like arguments about which hip-hop record label's brand should appear on the official tour jacket, then this is the doc for you.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Check out Treble's review of Jay-Z's "The Black Album".
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Welcome to the Very Special 100th Episode of Rock Docs!
Today's episode is on "History of the Eagles", a 2013 film about the California rock band, directed by Alison Ellwood.
Our guest today is our pal, American Painter Jake Longstreth, who's in the bands Mountain Brews and Richard Pictures as well as being a co-host of the Internet Radio Show Time Crisis. Our longtime listeners may recall Jake previously joined us to discuss "We Are Twisted Fucking Sister!"
History of the Eagles is, of course, the Godfather of rock docs. It's the ur-text from which this all began.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Check out this cool Treble article on the Talking Heads Live in Rome
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Missing episodes?
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Today's episode is on "Listening to Kenny G", a 2021 film about the saxophone colossus, directed by Penny Lane.
Our guest today is Franz Nicolay, multi-instrumentalist and composer, who records his own music and also is known from bands such as The Hold Steady. Franz' fascinating new book, Band People, features interviews with musicians who have made a career in the music industry, often outside of the spotlight.
Listening to Kenny G was released under HBO's "Music Box" series, which may no longer be a thing? The G man himself sat for extensive interviews and the film dispassionately explores what makes his music both appealing and controversial to audiences and music fans around the world. It's a rich text, and one could view Kenny as either the hero or villain of the movie.
Plus: Is Kenny G like Phish? Co-host Andy Keatts was unavailable for this episode, so he didn't get a chance to weigh in on this important topic, but we bat it around a bit anyway.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is on "Supersonic", a 2016 film about the trio Oasis, directed by Mat Whitecross
Our guest today is Brendan Dentino, an Oasis superfan who wrote the excellent article "The hope and selfishness of Oasis".
Please also check out "1995: The year Oasis made us want to live forever" on Treble.
Supersonic is a chronicle of the band's rise right up to their triumphant shows at Knebworth in 1996 - and it ends exactly there. Like Liam Gallagher, we are living in an eternal 1996. Along the way, we learn about the benefits of taking a hammer to the head, explore "the Oasis brothers" and their respective personas, and we discuss the time Noel Gallagher popped into a pub in San Diego to watch some footie.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "Not Not Jazz", a 2024 film about the trio Medeski Martin & Wood, directed by Jason Miller.
Our guest today is Josh Frisch of the Dad Rocks podcast, which we were on years ago, and now we get to return the favor.
As you'll hear, there was a bit of confusion, as Andy ended up watching a different MMW documentary. But we made it work.
"Not Not Jazz" asks as many questions as it answers - when was it filmed? What happened to the music that was being recorded during the filming of the movie? Why is it coming out now? Is music really its own kind of language, man?
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "Instrument", a 1999 film about the D.C. post-hardcore legends Fugazi, directed by Jem Cohen in collaboration with the band.
Check out "Celebrate the Catalog: Fugazi" on treblezine.com
Our guest today is Vish Khanna, the host of the Kreative Kontrol podcast. This is a first for Rock Docs...in prep for this episode, and in recognition of the film's 25th anniversary, Vish got Jem Cohen and all four members of Fugazi together for a rare interview on his show. You can listen to that episode here.
We over at Rock Docs HQ are thrilled to have played any small part in that momentous event. Nonetheless, we managed to keep it together and have a lively conversation with Vish about the band, his history with them, and this incredible film.
Finally, Vish was also nice enough to share his thoughts about his friend, the late Steve Albini, a Rock Docs legend who we never approached about being on the show, to our regret.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple", a 2024 HBO/MAX doc about Little Steven aka Miami Steve aka Silvio Dante aka the Lillehammer guy, directed by Bill Teck.
This doc has almost everything you ever wanted to know about the legendary sideman, front man, and Renaissance man. The man who likes scarves, who loves rock & roll, and who ain't gonna play Sun City.
If you're a fan of almost any subgenre of rock music between approximately 1955-1990, or if you just thought he was fun in The Sopranos, you'll dig this one.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Check out Treble's piece on the Springsteen classic "Born to Run": https://www.treblezine.com/bruce-springsteen-born-to-run-treble-100-no-33/
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr.", a 2020 doc about the legendary indie rock power trio, directed by Philipp Reichenheim.
Early in the movie, Dinosaur Jr.'s singer and guitarist says, “I don’t know where people got this idea that it’s supposed to be fun to play music.” Their music is fun to listen to and their shows are a blast, but for a long time these guys took the whole thing very very seriously, and the strain that attitude put on their relationships is a focus of the film.
There's a lot of lot of great music, excellent live footage, and some good talking heads (including a very weird and funny bit from the Pixies' Frank Black). What more do you want? To have fun??
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "Scott Walker: 30 Century Man", from 2006, directed by Stephen Kijak.
Our guest today is Zara Hedderman, who listens to albums & writes (mostly) & talks (sometimes) about them in The Quietus, Aquarium Drunkard, Northern Transmissions, RTÉ Arena, and The IMRO Podcast.
The movie is about Scott Walker, who evolved from a 50s & 60s teen idol to an enigmatic avant-garde icon whose music pushed the boundaries of space, time, and sanity. For years, nobody knew much about him. Then this documentary came out and revealed that he was actually kind of a chill dude.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "The Decline of Western Civilization", from 1981, directed by Penelope Spheeris.
Our guest today is Ian Grant of the Jokermen podcast and media empire. This is Ian's second Rock Docs appearance, having previously joined us to discuss "Bob Dylan: 1978-1989 - Both Ends of the Rainbow" with his fellow Jokerman Evan Laffer.
The Decline of Western Civilization is a snapshot of the early days of the LA punk scene featuring legends such as X, Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Germs, and Fear, as well as some less-known scene personalities.
X rules, check out our episode about "X: The Unheard Music" with Juliana Hatfield.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is a rare one where the subject is not a specific documentary (although there is some rock doc talk). We're joined by returning guest Steven Hyden to discuss his new book "There Was Nothing You Could Do: Bruce Springsteen's “Born in the U.S.A.” and the End of the Heartland" and all things Bruce.
Steven previously joined us to review "Pearl Jam Twenty".
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "Let It Be", from 1970 and 2024, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg.
Our guest today is Jeremy Kaplan of the band Dogs in a Pile.
A restored version of the original Let It Be movie has shown up on Disney+. We talk about it. It's the Beatles, you know the story. How does this movie fit into the great context of the Get Back experience? Which version of the rooftop concert is better? And what's up with that very weird dialogue between Peter Jackson and Michael Lindsay-Hogg before the movie starts?
Plus: Evan Laffer of Jokermen provides us with his very brief review of The Beach Boys documentary, also on Disney+.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "Joan Baez I Am A Noise", from 2023, directed by Miri Navasky, Karen O'Connor, and Maeve O'Boyle.
Our guest today is Allison Rapp, a music writer and the host of the brand-new podcast all about Joni Mitchell, Big Yellow Podcast. Check it out!
Joan Baez I Am A Noise covers the life of the folk music legend from her early days as the middle daughter of a globetrotting academic to her rocket to stardom as a late teenager, through her involvement with various activist movements (about which she says "I was addicted to activism"), her fraught relationship with Bob Dylan, up to her farewell tour in 2019. With a brief stop in the 80's when she attempts to cover Tears for Fears' "Shout". Joan is exactly as thoughtful and insightful as you'd expect her to be. The movie features great footage, riveting music, and, of course, some very funky dancing.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon", from 2024, directed by Alex Gibley. It's on MGM+, a streaming service the everybody definitely subscribes to.
Our guest today is Dan Jasper, who previously joined us to discuss the Rolling Stones documentary "Crossfire Hurricane".
In Restless Dreams is a two-part, three+ hour comprehensive look at the career of Paul Simon, if "comprehensive" means you go up to 1990 and then skip to about 2022. That's right, if you wanted to spend a lot of time watching Paul grumpily work on his 2023 banger "Seven Psalms", this is the doc for you.
There is, however, a whole lot of great music featured from the early and middle parts of Paul's career, as well as some killer performances. And a bunch of Lorne Michaels.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "Monks: The Transatlantic Feedback", from 2006, directed by Dietmar Post and Lucia Palacios.
Our guest today is Evan Laffer of the Jokermen podcast and media empire. This is Evan's second Rock Docs appearance, having previously joined us to discuss "Bob Dylan: 1978-1989 - Both Ends of the Rainbow" with his fellow Jokerman Ian Grant.
The movie is about the pioneering art-rock band The Monks, who were comprised of five Americans who met while serving in the U.S. Army in Germany in the early 1960s. They formed a beat group called The Torquays and then connected with some mysterious German businessmen who convinced them to fully reform their sound and dress like monks, including the "Friar Tuck" style hairdo, shaved on the top. They were to be Monks at all times, to always be sexy, and avoid being Torquays.
The Monks' music and ethos was unlike any band at the time, and nobody has come close to copying them. The film sometimes raises more questions than it answers, but that's appropriate for a band that is steeped in mystery.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten", from 2007, directed by Julien Temple.
Our guest today is Elizabeth Nelson of the band The Paranoid Style. Check out their outstanding new album The Interrogator: https://theparanoidstyle.bandcamp.com/album/the-interrogator
Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten is more of a wake for the then-recently departed punk rock legend than a by-the-books rock doc. Many of Joe's family, friends, musical compatriots, actor and director pals, and other partners in crime gather around various campfires to tell Strummer stories. The movie does go through his biography in a more or less linear fashion, but it's not an "everything you ever wanted to know about The Clash" kind of doc. You come away from the movie feeling like you know Joe Strummer, but that he was also unknowable even to those closest to him.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him)?", from 2010, directed by John Scheinfeld.
Our guest today is Galen Howard, star of stage and screen. Check out his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galenhoward/?hl=en
Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him)? takes us through the life of the unlikely, self-destructive pop genius. Harry rose from a troubled childhood to become the Beatles' favorite musician. Many of the famous talking heads in the film survived partying through the 70s. Harry's lifestyle eventually caught up with him. The film celebrates his legacy and is full of hair-raising stories and fantastic music.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "All I Can Say", from 2019, directed by Danny Clinch, Taryn Gould, Colleen Hennessy, and, posthumously, Shannon Hoon.
Our guest today is Ryan Bradford. Check out his Substack at https://awkwardsd.substack.com/ as well as our previous episode with Ryan about GWAR.
"All I Can Say" is compiled from VHS footage taken by Blind Melon singer Shannon Hoon from his early days as an aspiring musician right up until a few hours before his death at 28 from an accidental drug overdose. Shannon compulsively filmed his life during his unlikely rise to fame, from intimate family moments to hanging out with Guns N' Roses. The "found footage" approach takes us into the recording studio, on the road with Blind Melon, and even into the delivery room when Shannon's daughter is being born. The movie is an unexpected and fitting tribute to Shannon's talents as a musician and visual artist.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "The Greatest Night in Pop", a 2024 Netflix doc about the making of "We Are the World", directed by Bao Nguyen.
The move has two acts - Act 1 is a heist film-style tick-tock about how the concept came together at the behest of Harry Belafonte, the song got written despite Stevie Wonder ghosting Lionel Richie, and the Avengers of 80s Pop was assembled just in time for the recording.
Act 2 has us in the room during one very long night as Quincy Jones triest to wrangle several dozen superstars and capture performances from everyone from an eager Huey Lewis to a truly miserable Bob Dylan.
Plus: how Sheila E was unsuccessfully used by the producers as a honeypot to get Prince to the recording, why Waylon Jennings muttered, "ain't no good old boy ever sung in Swahili", Diana Ross' unexpected moment of sweetness, and much much more.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt -
Today's episode is about "Ain't in It for My Health: A Film About Levon Helm", from 2010, directed by Jacob Hatley.
Our guest today is a returning champion, Eamon O'Flynn, host of Record Roulette Podcast, which can be found on Twitter @rrmusicpod - check out our previous episode with Eamon about "Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band".
"Ain't in It for My Health" is very different from Robbie's movie - it offers an intimate and revealing picture of The Band's legendary singer and drummer, Levon Helm, as he struggles with cancer while recording what ended up being the final studio album he released during his life, the Grammy-winning "Electric Dirt". We see Levon crack wise and offer hard-earned wisdom surrounded by family and friends (famous and obscure), undertake a short tour under challenging conditions, and work closely with guitarist/producer Larry Campbell.
Rock Docs is a Treble Media Podcast hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts
Twitter: @RockDocsPod
Instagram: @RockDocsPod
Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt - Show more
