Customer Reviews

The Decline Of Western Civilization (1980 Film)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are actually three "Decline of the Western Civilization" movies (Punk, Metal, and Rap). It is not clear which one is being sold here. The original 'Decline' was a documentary about the L.A. Punk scene in the late 70's (created by P. Spheres)(sp?). The REAL punk scene, not the Hollywoodized punk rockers on TV. If you have any interest in punk rock at all, this is an absolute must have. Bands include X, Germs, Fear, Circle Jerks, Black Flag (good Black Flag, pre-Rollins), etc. The sound track includes sound bites from the film. Among these, you get treated to Fear's infamous audience bating and Black Flag opening "Revenge" with a adrenalin pumping scream of -"It's not my imagination, I'VE GOT A GUN IN MY BACK!"

Unfortunately, what is likely being sold here is the soundtrack to the second or third movies. These were commercially produced example of corporate interests trying to jump on the cool-n-hip bandwagon right as it stops. If it is one of the other two sound tracks, change my star rating to 1 and try to find the original....good luck.

Yeah, one of the greatest lp covers too. That's truely one of the few things I miss about albums, the size of the cover just worked so much better simply due to the size compared to these little CD covers that are even smaller than 7" record sleeves.
You really notice when it's a great record cover and this is one of them. Course, MANIC HISPANIC's homage to this cover is equally priceless.

Meanwhile, Aside from the Yes L.A. clear vinyl one sided album that came out about 1980 this was one of the few albums back in the day that really captured the big L.A. region punk bands, particularly live.

Sure, since then we've had the Live at the Mosque series and the release of the Dangerhouse comp albums of the early classic 7"s from the region and mainly many of these same bands. But back then, this was sorta it.

Which is kinda funny cuz one of the main things about punk was and, fortunately, continues to be DIY and bands cooperating with each other and indie labels doing compilation albums. They've always served a lovely purpose of getting the music out working together without the help of big music business and giving punx a chance to hear a bunch of bands at once.

Course, except for the road film with SOCIAL DISTORTION which came out a year or so later than this film, there were precious few films back then actually documenting the scene. Heck, far as I remember, this was it.

Pure punk rock baby. Each part of the country, generally and, really, each city, at least the bigger ones, had their own scene. Naturally, the greater L.A. region had a thriving one and this is the proof. If ya think about it, several of these bands were able to weather the storm of time and make out mostly alive.

FEAR, CIRCLE JERKS, X have all given and given to the scene and we've all benefited. Thanks. And who could ask for more than first four years period BLACK FLAG live? That's what ya wanna hear from them kids and here it is. Life's a sweep through time and this catches them when they were younger. Uh, we all were, those of us alive then. This record delivered the goods back then. Just what we were hoping for, live hardcore. Still does. Feel free to purchase it. There's no question, the late 70's and early 80's were the prime punk period, though there's been some fine bands since, those were the hayday and this album captures it for ya, live. Yummy. ps, if yer not into hardcore punk rock you'll probably think this album's horrible. chrisbct@hotmail.com

This cd contains a collection of some of the best punk bands ever. To hear these bands studio albums is great, but to hear them play live is euphoric, it gets the adrenaline going like no bands ever before or since. Black Flag(pre-Rollins, when they were good) and the Circle Jerks really get your heart racing, the Germs are, well, the Germs, Catholic Discipline is awful, but still better than any "punk" bands today, X is great, by far the most mainstream band on this cd, Fear is great as usual, and the Bags are the best band in this film, very underrated. You also get some sound bits from the film by the moronic kids that Penelope Spheeris interviewed. The only bad thing about this cd is that it only included one Bags song, "Gluttony", and left out "Prowlers In The Night", very dissapointing as this is the only version of this song they ever recorded, as the band broke up before they could release a studio album. Other than this tragic mistake, this cd is a classic and everyone who considers themselves into punk rock should own the film and the cd(and the lp, if you can find it.)

This album, and the documentary that coinsided with it, are possibly the most important signs of the changing times. Kids were sick of the music that was being put out in the late 70's and early 80's. They were tired of synthesizers and "teeny-bop" music and looking for something more raw. Punk was it! This release captures some of the most influential punk bands of those times in their natural enviornment. Live! From the pure aggresion of Black Flag to the mockery of keyboards by Catholic Discipline this album captures the scene exceptionaly well. It is a must for any true "old school" punk or anyone trying to find the roots of some of the newer "alternative" bands. Buy it and enjoy.

...I love the Germs,Black Flag,X,Circle Jerks and Catholic Discipline...and i love this movie too...this is the greatest soundtrack of all times...it shows how was the real 80's punk hardcore scene at it's best...you gotta buy it...I think it's outta stock...you'll be lucky if you find it...

A must own companion piece for fans of the Penelope Spheeris rockumentary. However, this live album stands the test of time on its own as a legitimate popcultural artifact. A veritable audio time capsule, immortalizing the "red eyed legends" of a generation in search of it's own distinct musical voice, too young for Woodstock, too old for Hip-Hop and too cool for Disco.
Before Henry Rollins became a household name (depending on the household), Black Flag featured the likes of "Chavo" Ron Reyes, Keith Morris (featured on this album with the Circle Jerks), and Greg Guinn, who wrote most of Black Flag's music and drove the majority of the bands frenzied live sets with indecent melodies bled from a see through guitar. Picture Keith Richards at 90 rpm. The Foo Fighter's Pat Smear, got his first taste of rock and roll sub-stardom with the Germs, while Fear's Lee Ving distinguished himself on this album and many others as the Andrew Dice Clay of punk rock front men. And then there is X, perhaps the greatest "rock and roll" band most mainstream music fans will never hear.

BUT...Penelope Spheeris directed both Declines as well as Waynes World, Tommy Boy and a host of others. Since I was at the Starwood when parts of the OG Decline were taped (when Darby thought his nbose was broke), I would be seriously offended if I ordered the product and ended up with Decline II (especially since I already have it)!

This is a good soundtrack for the movie, but the song that really makes the collection complete is "Cradle To The Grave" performed by Motorhead. This and the Medadeth track "In My Darkest Hour" save the album from being a paean to pop metal tunes. Other artists featured include Lizzy Borden, Faster Pussycat and Alice Cooper. A better than average disc, but could be a bit heavier.

This is a classic 1981 soundtrack to a movie produced by Penelope Spheeris that chronicled the California punk music scene.

The 16 tracks show an amazing power and brutal honesty of street life snapshots from the shadows of the sun, surf and commerce of Los Angeles and beyond. Seven bands are showcased, with four tracks from the Circle Jerks, three each from Black Flag, Fear and X, with one track from The Germs, Catholic Discipline and the Alice Bag Band.

A point in time where art truly merges with life was found on the West Coast. And it set in motion a stage for incredible music from artists who meant every word they said.

This is something that in The 80's everybody that was an outcast owned a recorded copy of. Probably not, the original that one guy owned and keep on getting stolen and would show up in the most unexpected places. The Music on this CD is an acquired taste. The first harsh sounds are shocking and dissonant to the mind. Then addiction sets in and songs like Manimal by the Germs take on an other worldly Relegious Epihtiany as if offering the true meaning of the universe. And Black Flags ramblings Against the LAPD bring about a sense of purpose about life. FEAR's I love livin' in the city is by far the most true to life statement about society then and is still true now. If you don't own this CD. Buy it on Tape.