Asylum Street Spankers: Sideshow Fez
Asylum Street Spankers: Sideshow Fez

Movie spotlight

Asylum Street Spankers: Sideshow Fez

2003
Movie
93 min
English

The Asylum Street Spankers head to the Pacific Northwest to serve up their unique, folksy blend of acoustic blues, early 20th-century jazz and playful originals in this live show at the Fez Ballroom in Portland, Ore. Vocalists Wammo and Christina Mars lead the group through a set that includes "If You Love Me You'll Sleep on the Wet Spot," "Dance This Mess Around," "Some of These Days" and "St. James Infirmary."

Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Director: Jeroen van de WielGenres: Documentary, Music

Plot Summary

This documentary chronicles the unique and often eccentric journey of the Dutch band Asylum Street Spankers, known for their distinctive blend of blues, vaudeville, and performance art. It delves into their chaotic live performances, their unconventional approach to music creation, and the vibrant personalities that defined the group. The film captures the essence of their artistic spirit and their dedicated following.

Critical Reception

As a niche documentary focused on a cult band, critical reviews are limited but generally positive, highlighting its raw energy and authentic portrayal of the band's unique appeal. Audiences familiar with the Asylum Street Spankers' work often praise the film for capturing the band's live performance magic and their distinctive, somewhat anarchic, artistic vision.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its energetic and authentic depiction of the band's live shows.

  • Appreciated for capturing the unique and eclectic musical style of the Asylum Street Spankers.

  • Seen as a compelling portrait for fans of the band's unconventional artistry.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews specifically for this documentary is not readily available, but general audience reception for the Asylum Street Spankers' work points to appreciation for their genre-bending performances and raw, uninhibited style.

Fun Fact

The Asylum Street Spankers were known for their eclectic instrumentation, often incorporating found objects and homemade instruments into their performances, adding to their distinctively quirky sound.

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