Wow, I definitely was not ready for this. EVERY person in this film was SUCH a d-bag. It's hard to believe that anyone cared about this crowd, but somehow they attracted a small army of gullible, tone-deaf, followers. Insipid lyrics, out-of-tune vocals and instruments, derivative songwriting and musicians with a modicum of talent and wildly inflated senses of importance. This movie plays like an alt-rock Spinal Tap.

I liked this film mainly because of its contrast between an inspiration and a success. The Dandy Warhols may have started out in love with Anton, his music, his talent and they may even think that they owe him a nod, but they are a success whereas, Anton is merely a fly by inspiration. Poor Anton, his mental illness, drug use and temper ruined his chances at really effecting a change in music. The Dandy Warhols actually did and do influence music today. Case in point, I am just a regular gal in a fly over state, but I know the Dandy Warhols and I know other bands like them. I'd never heard of Anton or his band and I don't really want to hear his sad drug induced music. The only thing he seems good for is a good documentary. I get it, he can play lots of instruments and he made a lot of indie records, but he can't hold it together long enough to make an impact, that is, make it so a gal in a fly over state can be influenced and turned on by his music. I love the Dandys. They made the music possible for me. They may give credit to Anton, but Anton and his ego have not given me a moment of joy. At least the Dandys have done that. So, I guess I was wrong to call the film a contrast between inspiration and success - the inspiration (for me) is the Dandy's and they are the success.

Really liked some of the Vandies music.
Will be checking them out.
Massacre is heroin contrived.
Much of the worlds art originated via altering substances.
Anton, can you create without H?

Walk into an autogrill. It's a really awesome gas station...with a gourmet deli...but it's still a gas station. Just a stop on the way to where you're going. At the end of the day, BJM stands musically, but i view it as a stop on Peter Hayes' trip to BRMC town.
That being said, what these guys accomplished for the indie field was great, and are the reason that we have alot of acts we do. however, we could go one step back and say they owe alot to their predecessors as well....i recommend Songs for Cassavetes is you want REAL indie....
Also...I find it so sickening that the Dandys are so transparently superficial....I mean 7:09...they start talking about how when they first saw BJM 'they just had the coolest hair and blah blah blah..." I thought the whole point of being indie was to not care about outward perception, just how good your music is, and an honestly "cool" person wouldn't be saying crap like that...on camera....what are they,in, middle school?
If you guys have never given Black Rebel Motorcycle Club a listen (but i'm guessing almost all of you have lol) you should.
I will sum up this rant with the best possible two words, thanks to some thoughtful hulu patron using it as a tag for this movie:
HUBRIS
HIPSTERS

Tragic yet fascinating: the combination of mental illness, drug abuse, and transcendent musical talent is like watching cancer in a microscope--you shudder at the devastation but marvel at the organism's complexity. I also liked the contrast created through juxtapositioning Anton's story with that of the substantively shallow, but commercially viable Vandies.

Anton is a junkie with an ego. any talent he may have is dimished by what he did to himself and to his band. whatever happens to him is his own fault.dont care about him or his music.he is nobody.