Wild in the Streets

Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie

Maybe you’re sitting around, listening to your punk 45s--or perhaps you’re reading the SMCL blog post about Black Flag. You are? Really? Perfect! How about taking a trip back to the ‘80s by hosting your own punk rock movie night? Here are some movies to get you started.

Punk Rock Girl

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains (1982) - Nihilistic teen Corinne “Third Degree” Burns (17 year old Diane Lane) starts The Stains, a punk band, with her sister and cousin (15 year old Laura Dern). They’re mean, snotty, and have a flair for provocative fashion, hair, and make-up. While touring with a couple of other bands (featuring real life members of the Sex Pistols, The Clash, and The Tubes), The Stains develop a rabid cult following, only to have their catatonic fans suddenly turn on them.

All I Wanted Was a Pepsi

Repo Man (1984) - Otto (Emilio Estevez) and Bud (stellar Harry Dean Stanton) live fast, wild, and dangerous lives as car repossessors in Los Angeles. A surreal twist takes Otto on a mission involving a wacko nuclear scientist, space aliens, and the CIA. Good soundtrack featuring Suicidal Tendencies, the Circle Jerks, Fear, the Plugz, Black Flag, Iggy Pop, and more.

I’m So Bored with the USA

Suburbia (1984) - Kids from the LA suburbs run away from home and become squatters in this film by Penelope Spheeris (also known for the documentary The Decline of Western Civilization). Features performances by D.I., The Vandals, and TSOL.

Mohawk Town

Straight to Hell Returns (1987) - This tongue-in-cheek Western has a ton of famous faces in it, including Joe Strummer, The Pogues, Elvis Costello, Courtney Love, Dennis Hopper, Jim Jarmusch, Sy Richardson, Grace Jones, etc. This new DVD edition is expanded with extra scenes and “digitally improved violence and cruelty.”

Author Bio:

Karen Choy is the Youth Services Librarian in Half Moon Bay. She once saw Black Flag play a benefit show for homeless cats.