This didn't strike me right away, the purpose behind this release.

On the one hand it's the next generation of underground music talent in the similar vein to what "The Decline of Western Civilization's The Metal Years" was in '87… on the other, who are they, what do they do and why should we care?

And then it hits me, what "Decline…" was to that time, the same could be said for this. Somewhere about midway through it dawned on me that we're going through that same period fourteen years later and then and now are essentially the same.

Now I don't remember fourteen years ago let along four hours ago but The Decline' displayed some of the best in "Underground" Metal talent that typified the behind-the-scenes struggles and eventual triumphs of many bands existing, living the dream but still on the outside looking in while developing an up and coming culture of listeners and lifers.

"Badsville" adopts the same measure, taking the viewer straight into the pit of a dark, smoke-filled deadbeat club for a true measure of bottom up exposure.

The many bands featured on this collection have already made their mark as cult acts, fighting the good fight, no preconceptions of overnight stardom or mainstream exposure, it's an inside and in depth look into the sweat-drenched soul-selling struggle for survival in a non-committal industry driven by sales and superstar bullshit.

The several live performances feature a number of dedicated-and I mean dedicated when you catch some of these hard-luck between song stories-bands, fulfilling a dream, sliding by on the scraps thrown at them, gluttons for punishment them all, and all equally dedicated to carrying the torch for this thing called Rock & Roll.

Names like The Superbees, The Newlydeads, Throwrag… The Hangmen, Texas Terri & the
Stiff Ones and several more eye catching, gear shifting, reactionary critters… household names… hardly-and what's in a name?

That's where the fun starts… yet to have made it this far is in a way to suggest they've already made it.

Bands such as they, call them "Garage Rock," "Punk…" in some instances "Glam," but whichever labeling technique employed, all capture the spirit of lowdown and dirty Rock music that's up close and personal, lewd, loud, and sometimes frighteningly distasteful!

For about 90 minutes travel from club to club with fourteen national touring acts, catch a first hand glimpse at the process as it shifts from recording to touring and one on one
discussions with the members themselves with more highs and lows than you can… adjust your volume level too.

We won't set about breaking down the audio levels here but it'll definitely throw your equilibrium off if you're not careful.

Altogether an impacting documentary with several memorable clips, entertaining live spots and additional must-see footage after the closing credits roll!

Released by Acetate Records

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]
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