Movie spotlight
Before Bad Brains, the Sex Pistols or even the Ramones, there was Death. Formed in the early '70s by three teenage brothers from Detroit, Death is credited as being the first black punk band, and the Hackney brothers, David, Bobby, and Dannis, are now considered pioneers in their field. But it wasn’t until recently — when a dusty 1974 demo tape made its way out of Bobby’s attic nearly 30 years after Death’s heyday — that anyone outside a small group of punk enthusiasts had even heard of them.
This documentary chronicles the story of Death, a pioneering punk rock band formed by three African-American teenagers in Detroit in the early 1970s. Despite their raw talent and innovative sound that predated many punk rock icons, the band struggled to gain mainstream recognition and eventually disbanded. The film follows their journey from youthful ambition to rediscovery decades later, highlighting their unique musical legacy and the challenges they faced.
A Band Called Death received widespread critical acclaim, lauded for its compelling narrative, vibrant soundtrack, and insightful look into a largely overlooked piece of music history. Reviewers praised its exploration of race, music, and perseverance, resonating with both music aficionados and general audiences.
A powerful and often surprising documentary about a band ahead of their time.
Explores themes of race, identity, and the enduring power of music.
Celebrates the raw energy and innovative spirit of punk rock.
Google audience: Audiences overwhelmingly praised the film's inspiring story of rediscovery and the band's incredible, ahead-of-their-time music. Many were thrilled to learn about Death's groundbreaking contributions to punk rock and appreciated the heartfelt presentation.
Nominated for Best Documentary at the Woodstock Film Festival. Received positive mentions at various film festivals.
The band's name, Death, was chosen because they felt it was a powerful and provocative statement, contrasting with the conventional 'pretty' names of other rock bands of the era.
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There's an undercurrent of disappointment throughout the story of a band called Death. Misunderstood and marginalized in their time, they endured a lot of rejection and settled into lives that turned out differently than for what they had h...