Product Details

• Actors: Beck, Bradley Beesley, Steve Burns, Dolly Coyne, Kenny Coyne
• Directors: Bradley Beesley
• Producers: Damon Cook, Dan Jacunich, Rick Fuller, Ryan Dolan, Scott Booker
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Shout Factory
• DVD Release Date: May 17, 2005
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0007NN6J2
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,359 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "The Flaming Lips - The Fearless Freaks" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Equal parts punk and psychedelia, the Flaming Lips emerged from Oklahoma City as one of the most bracing bands of the late 1980's. The Fearless Freaks documents their rise from Butthole Surfers-imitating noisemakers to grand poobahs of orchestral pop masterpieces. Filmmaker Bradley Beesely had the good fortune of living in the same neighborhood as lead Lip Wayne Coyne, who quickly enlisted his buddy to document his band's many concerts and assorted exploits. The early footage is a riot, with tragic hair styles on proud display as the boys attempt to cover up their lack of natural talent with sheer volume. During one show, they even have a friend bring a motorcycle on stage, which is then miked for sound and revved throughout the performance, clearing the club with toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Great punk rock stuff. Interspersed among the live bits are interviews with the band's family and friends, revealing the often tragic circumstances of their childhoods and early career.

By the time the film reaches the late '90s, Coyne's band has witnessed a number of personnel changes, most notably the introduction of drummer and multi-instrumentalist Steven Drozd. It's here that the Flaming Lips begin their ascent into greatness. Fueled by the alt-pop hit "She Don't Use Jelly," the band enters an era of intense experimentation, conducting a symphony for car stereos in a parking garage, releasing a 4-disc album meant to be played simultaneously, and embarking on the creation of their first masterpiece, The Soft Bulletin. Sadly, Steven Drozd's demons keep pace with the band's success. In an incredibly heartbreaking scene, Drozd talks frankly about his addiction while preparing to shoot heroin. Fortunately, Drozd kicks his habit as the Lips enter the studio for their follow-up, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, and the film ends with the band enjoying widespread acclaim as they deliver one extravagant show after another. There are some conspicuous absences in this tale, notably their weird and lucky break appearing on '80s teen drama Beverly Hills 90210 and their tour as openers and backing band for Beck. The bonus disc includes some cool outtakes and performances, but unfortunately none of the band's vibrant music videos. -- Ryan Boudinot

Product Description

The Wonderously Improbable Story Of The Flaming Lips

The 2-DVD set, The Fearless Freaks is an intimate look at one of today’s most acclaimed alternative rock groups, the Flaming Lips. Filmmaker Bradley Beasley, the band’s long-time friend and director of all of their music videos since 1992, gives us an insider’s look at their 20-year transformation from Oklahoma outsiders to GRAMMY-winning elder statesmen.

This fascinating documentary features revealing interviews with band members past and present, and includes amazing footage from their entire career—truly capturing the eccentric and inventive world of The Flaming Lips. The bonus disc adds over an hour of extras including deleted scences, outtakes, live clips and much more!

See all Editorial Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars As joyful, fun and moving as a Flaming Lips show. February 28, 2005

By Mike

Format:DVD

While I've got my order placed, I can reliably give this film a five star rating as I was lucky enough to have seen "The Fearless Freaks" February 26. This review was adapted from a post I placed the other day at flaminglips.com, a site well worth a visit if you dig the band.

I was looking forward to seeing this, but was not prepared for the emotional punch of this beautiful documentary by filmmaker Bradley Beesley. I felt as moved and joyful as I have after actual Lips concerts.

"The Fearless Freaks" was screened Saturday night at the Blue Note in Columbia (Mo). It was a nicely full house on hand to see director Beesley introduce the film as part of Columbia's annual "True/False Film Festival (documentaries).

(This was a special "secret screening", as more official "world premiere" screenings (3) will occur at the 2005 SXSW in Austin.)

Beesley was introduced, talked a bit about the film and his long association filming and working with the band. His cell phone has a speakerphone feature, which he put to use as he dialed Wayne Coyne at the Tarbox recording studio near Buffalo, NY. They talked a bit back and forth, Beesley holding the speaker to the microphone. The audience had lots of laughs during the five-minute chat. Wayne mentioned that he, Steven Drozd and Michael Ivins were recording new stuff and that it has snowed every day since they arrived that week. Wayne said that he believed that filming of "Christmas on Mars" movie would be completed this summer, but then they would need to do music for the feature. (It sounds like Christmas '06 is most realistic, but who knows, maybe '05 if the planets align.) "The Fearless Freaks" includes five minutes or so on the making of "Christmas on Mars". Fun....

The movie is a feast for the eyes, ears, mind and heart. You'll see the large Coyne family in vintage home movies from the 70's, the early days of the band, the path to now and the often moving story of the passage of time since the band's founding in the early 80's. About two-thirds into the film, one of those passages sweeps the movie to an emotional impact that vaults this film to a level that transcends any "traditional" music documentary.

As Beesley says at flaminglips.com, the many years of access and friendship with the band allowed him to produce something he hopes goes beyond just "another okay rockumentary and, together with the band, instead create an insightful and personal piece of cinema."

He succeeded.

This is a courageously honest band that has allowed Beesley to present truth that is raw and inspiring. Beesley has fashioned a fine film that ultimately owes its success to the goodness and open-heartedness of The Flaming Lips. The band has bared their souls and their humanity (un-self-consciously) that is completely congruent with the message of their recent music. ("The Soft Bulletin" and "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots", most particularly.)

I spoke with Beesley after the screening and told him how special I thought his movie is. As this is his first film (I believe) he was soft-spoken and a bit deprecating about his work to the degree that he might still have had concern about length or he saw this or that that might still need to be edited. (I did see more than a few put fingers to ears during some of the extended excerpts of live shows from their punk days. While exhilarating and an exciting document of shows that WERE tremendously loud, the sound levels of those sequences did seem a bit over modulated, though seeing it through the pa of a concert venue did allow for that music/noise to come through in all ear-splitting glory!)

While there might be a couple of minor tweaks *maybe* worth considering in the first half of the film, one must be careful because that beginning sets up the emotional power of the second half. Humbly offering my first impression after the show, I assured Beesley that what he DOES have is a film with something all too hard to successfully pull off - weight, depth of feeling, an emotional heart that bathes the audience with goodwill. I've seen lots of music documentaries over the years. Not till this one have tears come to my eyes. Of course, in The Flaming Lips, Bradley Beesley had subject matter that delivers the "goods". I applaud Beesley for bringing that "script" to Life. As fans of the band know, Wayne would be a star of any film. The man is an inspiring example of LIFE, of humanity most kind. Guile has been stripped from Wayne Coyne and he is nakedly human in a manner that makes me proud to be part of the species.

(I also hope that Beesley submits "The Fearless Freaks" for consideration of film festivals - I would think Cannes audiences would love this - and also the documentary division of the MPAA. Oscar in '06? This film is truly worthy. A scene with Steven is one of the most powerful moments I've ever seen - on film or "real" life, one of great humanity that touches the soul and moved some in the audience to tears. The ultimate triumph of Steven, the open-hearted humanity of the band and the inspiring music of The Flaming Lips - particularly since "The Soft Bulletin" - is a gift that should be shared with as many people as possible.)

To be clear, aside from all my talk of "feelings", this is a FUN film - laugh out loud at times, with lots of music and cool visuals.

That it is so much more is what makes this movie a joyous treat.

I will not spoil your enjoyment of this movie by revealing any further specifics. See it for yourself.

So, in the end, I certainly recommend that you purchase this when it becomes available. In the meantime, if you - or maybe a loved one - haven't already, order "The Soft Bulletin" and "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots". In that sequence, listen to each cd from beginning to end, reading the included printed lyrics. I think you'll be quite glad you did. Then you'll really be ready for the "Fearless Freaks"!

- Do You Realize? - Read more ›

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not perfect but I give it five stars anyway June 3, 2005

By Steven Langer

Format:DVD

I was the entertainment editor of the big local college newspaper around the time the Flaming Lips got started here in Oklahoma. Yet, I never got into their music. I don't know why. Some of my friends knew them. I guess maybe it was an oversight on my part. Oversights happen in life. It's just one of those things.

Anyhow, flash forward to 2005. I attend the Oklahoma City premiere of the Fearless Freaks. I own two Lips CDs. Yeah, it's Yoshimi and the Soft Bulletin. So, I'm not a true fan. Anyhow, here's what I think of the movie.

The bad: There's a stretch in the movie that seems sort of like a VH1 program. Luckily, it's in the middle of the movie and it doesn't take that long.

The good: I think there are different interweaving stories in this movie. I'm going to only focus on one in my review. It's about Steve Drozd, the drummer of the band. One way to approach the movie is BSD (before Steve Drozd joined the Flaming Lips) and ASD (after Steve Drozd joined the Flaming Lips). He obviously lifts the band so that they can musically achieve their previously unmet artistic aspirations. He gives music to his bandmates. In turn, they give him unconditional love. And, as the movie shows, it's a very dangerous exchange due to a certain flaw possessed by Steve. There's one graphic scene showing Steve at the bottom of existence. It bothered my hardened friends who attended the premiere with me.

I can't recall any movie dealing so forthrightly with the personal and artistic relationships that exist between members of a music group. I came away from the movie admiring Steve's musicianship, admiring Wayne's creative energy, and admiring Michael Ivins for living through it as any solid Rock 'n' Roll bassist should.... One more thing: I think people live with a misconception that successful pop musicians get by on talent. Wrong. As the Fearless Freaks shows, they generally get ahead and become successful due to constant and unrelenting hard work (as well as some luck along the way). Very highly recommended. Read more ›

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Personal Stories, Lackluster on the Music July 13, 2005

By Patience Blythe

Format:DVD

As a long-time Flaming Lips fan, I was excited to see "The Fearless Freaks" and learn more about the band that, for the last 15 years, I have watched and admired. That is, until the pre-scripted shows became the norm, and the music started to play second fiddle to the performance.

I was very interested in the film because I thought it would provide context into the toxic-shock acid-psychedelia scene of the mid 80s to 90s that existed in the Texas, the midwest and San Francisco. But, besides some clips of Gibby of the Butthole Surfers and members of the Chainsaw Kittens, the film neglects the influences of the band and its relationship to the rest of the scene that was populated with the Butthole Surfers, Ed Hall, Sun City Girls, Caroliner Rainbow, and many others. This scene has been all but forgotten in rockumentaries, "The Fearless Freaks" included.

The film is immensely self-congratulatory, and spends alot of time discussing how wonderful and "crazy" Wayne Coyne is, while spending too little time on other members, with the exception of Steven Drosdt. The tale of the band that shouldn't have made it, one of the themes of the film, lacks the pre-history of their success.

Having been to many of their shows, owning all of their albums, I love the Flaming Lips. But, it seems that since "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots", that their music and performances have become so scripted, so pre-determined, that the "freak"-iness that the documentary claims to be inherent in the band, is all but gone.

I recommend seeing the film to get an idea of where they all came from: hillbillies crossed with the Who I think is a good description.... I just encourage viewers, after they finish watching the film, to seek out the other compatriots of the Flaming Lips from the early days through the mid-90s. Then, I think, viewers and fans will be able to see the musical movement that was occuring, and how it influenced the pop, indie, and industrial music that would come out of it in the mid to late 90s and into the present. Enjoy! Read more ›