Rock Docs

Rock Docs is back after a lengthy hiatus — we've been saving up our discussion of the artist behind the second-worst-selling album in the history of Columbia Records, and the jam band world he helped pioneer. Today's episode is about "Basically Frightened: The Musical Madness of Colonel Bruce Hampton," a 2012 documentary about the avant-garde artist behind the Aquarium Rescue Unit. Our guest this...

Today's episode of Rock Docs is about "The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years ", a 1988 sequel to the classic LA punk documentary. This one is about metal, dude. Our guest today is Ian Grant of the Jokermen podcast, who previously joined us to discuss "Decline 1". Decline 2 features Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, Poison, Steven Tyler & Joe Perry, Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley, Le...

Today's episode of Rock Docs is about "Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road", a 2021 film about the late Beach Boys musical genius directed by Brent Wilson (no relation). Our guest today is Dan Koch, who previously joined us to discuss "Gimme Danger", about Iggy & the Stooges, a very dissimilar tale of brothers coming together in the 60's to create some stone-cold classics while indulging in rock & ro...

Today's episode is about "Becoming Led Zeppelin", a 2025 documentary directed by Bernard MacMahon. The movie covers the members' early lives and the formation of the band through the album Led Zeppelin 2. It features a rare lost interview with John Bonham, new interviews with the surviving band members, and some restored footage. But does all of that add up to a good movie? Rock Docs is a Treble M...

Welcome to Nick's Pick's Vol. 5, in which we invite our friend and returning champion Nick McCann on to discuss any documentary he chooses. Today's episode is about "Miss Americana", a 2020 doc about Taylor Swift directed by Lana Wilson. TS works on her album "Lover" while dealing with personal and political issues. Plus: Is Dave Grohl a megalomaniac? Do we need a new genre called "Pop Docs"? Do y...

Today's episode of Rock Docs is about "Shut Up and Play the Hits", a 2012 film about the final, uncontroversial, conclusive, never to be reversed ending of LCD Soundsystem directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace. Our guest today is self-professed LCD superfan and New York guy living in LA, film director Luca Morganti. Shut Up and Play the Hits, of course, is about LCD's 2011 retirement show a...

Today's episode is on "Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)", a 2025 Questlove jawn about Sly Stone (and the Family Stone). The movie shows us how Sylvester Stewart evolved into Sly Stone, co-founded the Family Stone, and cranked out a pile of classic tunes over the course of a few years. And, of course, we learn about Sly's drug-fueled downfall and late in life redemption. This movie looks...

Today's episode is on "George Harrison: Living in the Material World", a 2011 film about The Quiet One directed by Martin Scorsese. It's available on Max. Our guest today is George Harrison and Bob Dylan superfan Britt Eisnor. Check out her excellent Dylan content on Instagram . This movie is about George's mysticism, more or less, and weaves in and out of his very famous life story. There are som...

Today's episode is on "Searching for Sugar Man", a 2012 film about the long-forgotten Detroit balladeer Rodriguez, his mysterious fame in South Africa, and his rediscovery. This Academy Award-winning classic was directed by Malik Bendjelloul. Sixto Rodriguez, who recorded as Rodriguez, had a brief recording career from the late 60s and early 70s. He sold "about 6" records in the U.S., but, unbekno...

Today's episode is on "Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell", a 2008 film about the singer, instrumentalist, composer, collaborator, and all-around musical pioneer whose work has become more widely recognized well after his untimely passing. The movie is directed by Matt Wolf. Our guest today is Matty Monroe, the person behind the Indieheads subreddit and general knower and lover of all...

Today's episode is on "Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band", a 2024 film about Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's 2023-2024 tour. It's directed by frequent Springsteen collaborator (and a guy who shows up a lot on Rock Docs), Thom Zimny. The film can be found on Disney+, the official home of rock and roll. Our guest today is Caryn Rose, whose newsletter jukeboxgraduate is es...

Today's episode is on "No Direction Home: Bob Dylan", a 2005 film about Bob Dylan directed by our old pal Martin Scorsese. Our guest today is Erin Callahan, host of the "Infinity Goes Up on Trial" Bob Dylan podcast. Please also check out the Treble 100 essay on " Blonde on Blonde ". No Direction Home was originally broadcast as part of the American Masters series on PBS. It features lengthy interv...

Today's episode is on "Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary", a 2024 MAX/Music Box documentary about the smooth sounds coming out of LA's finest music studios in the late 70s & early 80s. We're joined by the director of the film, Garret Price. Garret previously joined us to discuss his 2021 documentary "Woodstock 99: Peace, Love and Rage". As you'll hear, this one is way mellower but no less compelling. The...

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...

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 pr...

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...

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 Knebwort...

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...

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...

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 almos...

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 th...

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 wh...

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...

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 P...

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...