Movie spotlight
Live At The Smell
Featuring: The Mae Shi, Foot Village, Ponytail, Abe Vigoda, High Places, Gowns, BARR, No Age, HEALTH, and Captain Ahab. A fundraiser for The Smell, and a toast to its... scent. [This DVD] captures 10 of the most vital bands to perform at The Smell, downtown LA's essential all-ages venue. With over 2 hours of high-quality live performance footage, this is an essential video document for the alternative / indie / noise-rock fan. From the hyper-active intro by The Mae Shi, through the heavy moods of Gowns, the precise thrash of HEALTH, to the dark techno dystopia of Captain Ahab, Live At The Smell presents a showcase of the excellent music that the community-oriented venue presents on any given day of the week, without booking agents, backroom deals, bouncers, velvet ropes, ID checks, schmoozing, or hype. All footage was shot from Sept-Oct 2008.
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary captures the vibrant, often chaotic, spirit of The Smell, a legendary all-ages music venue in Los Angeles. It delves into the unique community that formed around the venue, showcasing performances from a variety of underground bands and exploring the DIY ethos that defined its existence. The film serves as a time capsule of a specific era in independent music.
Critical Reception
Live At The Smell received positive reviews, particularly from independent music publications and blogs. Critics praised its authentic portrayal of the underground music scene and its dedication to capturing the raw energy of The Smell. It's often regarded as a valuable document of a significant cultural space for DIY music.
What Reviewers Say
Captures the raw, unadulterated energy of a vital DIY music venue.
Praised for its authentic portrayal of the Los Angeles underground music scene.
A heartfelt tribute to a unique community built around live music.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce due to the niche nature of the documentary, but where available, they highlight the film's effectiveness in capturing the spirit and atmosphere of The Smell. Viewers appreciated its unpretentious look at the DIY music scene.
Fun Fact
The Smell itself has been a pivotal venue for the Los Angeles underground music scene for decades, hosting countless bands in its intimate and distinctive space.
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