Product: Flipper: Live - Target Video 1980-1981 (2008)
Rating: 5.0
yes, Flipper rules ok.
I was lucky enough to see Flipper back in '81, '82, '83 etc. I was at the Kezar show. this dvd is a must for anyone who, like me, loved [loves] Flipper. the Berkeley Square footage captures a long-dead era when going to shows was lots and lots of fun- count the smiles in the audience; check out the diversity of the crowd, and how they are acting. that was true freedom! no stupid slam-dancing or moshing because it hadn't infected punk yet with its conformist, lunkhead idiocy. THAT KIND OF PSEUDO-PUNK DIDN'T EXIST. listen to the sophistication of the lyrics. the band, and its audience, are not morons with nothing better to do; they weren't chasing the corporate music business dollar. and they weren't making bubblegum punk for an audience who doesn't know better.believe me: Flipper was the REAL THING.maybe you think, no, Flipper can't play; this is not the point. the point is that they ARE Flipper. Ted Falconi's silver-voiced ringing guitar; Steve Depace's primordial beat; Bruce Loose's laserbeam sarcasm, Will's incredible, atavistic bass. they're all in it together, and we lapped it up. watch Will Shatter pummel his sawed-off bass; watch the band laugh at themselves, at the joy of it all. sure the footage is raw and the sound is what it is [I thought it was fine, but I experienced this low-fi era, and loved it] but again, that is not the point. the point is the experience. I did have to speed up "I Am the Wheel" because it became interminable- again, that's the point. who can outlast the song, the band or the audience? yep: that's how it used to be, kids. LOTS AND LOTS OF FUN. I saw a lot of familiar faces...the Kezar show presents Flipper years later and they are tighter and stronger. it shows another facet of the band, a darker, powerful side; there are terrible truths being spoken here. Will Shatter's- rest in peace, Will- gorgeous version of "I Saw You Shine" is as moving as any great piece of music can be. oh, the awful beauty, magic, longing, and upside-down happiness that was a Flipper show! the audience at Kezar seems mostly puzzled by this great band. the world has yet to catch up with them.if you like this band, or have any of their work, I highly recommend this dvd. it's a snapshot out of time, like finding a polaroid of a real live T. rex. they just don't make 'em like this anymore.