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Urgh! A Music War (19-Nov-1981)
Director: Derek Burbidge Keywords: Music Concert, Punk Rock
REVIEWS Review by anonymous (posted on 18-Apr-2006) Urgh A Music War is a film all about
the New Wave, Punk Rock sound that shook the 1980's. with no nonsense,
no talking, no theorizing live musical explosion! You will not find any
back stage interviews, giggling groupies or any other interruptions.
Just music and more music from London, California, New York and France.
This 1981 British release, besides having a bizarre title, Urgh A Music
War captured some of the most incredible live performances from the
�it� bands of 1980's. Ranging from the famous like The Police, Gary
Numan and Devo to the infamous like The Cramps and The Dead Kennedys.
The soundtrack to the film as well as the VHS are out of print. This is
due to an exclusive contract to publish this movie on a now dead format
(CED). The word is that the contracts for the individual artists are
missing and you can�t renegotiate a contract without the original to
amend it. The film is currently owned by its original producer, Miles
Copeland. He has the original film of THREE songs (not one) from each
band in storage. And because of the legal land lock, it cannot be
released. There is a great fan site at www.urgh-dvd.com Appearances By:
The Police Wall of Voodoo Toyah Willcox John Cooper Clarke Orchestral
Manoeuvres Chelsea Oingo Boingo Echo and the Bunnymen Jools Holland XTC
Klaus Nomi Athletico Spizz 80 The Go-Gos Dead Kennedys Steel Pulse Gary
Numan Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Magazine Surf Punks Members Au
Pairs The Cramps Invisible Sex Pere Ubu Devo The Alleycats John Ottway
Gang of Four 999 Fleshtones X Skafish Splodgenessabounds UB40
Review by anonymous (posted on 3-May-2006) This film is not so much a
documentary, but rather a showing of the complete styles of Rock music,
back in 1981. The filming, set in 5 different locations, covers a
plethora of styles- from all-girl, such as "The Go-Gos", to
pre-industrial, such as "The Dead Kennedys". There were a few big name
acts, such as Devo, The Police, and Joan Jett, to name but a few; there
was also a lot of up-&-coming talent, such as Wall Of Voodoo (who
lost their lead singer, Michael Moreland, in 1999), Chelsea- a hot punk
rock band, and Steel Pulse- a true testament to reggae rock. It's true
also, that most of the songs were concerning underlying political
issues- war, stereotyping, racism, you name it. Superior examples
include Steel Pulse's "Ku Klux Klan"; The Dead Kennedy's "No Punk Rock"
(which effectively foreshadowed Jello Biafra's later jump to political
public speaking); and Gary Numan's "Down In the Park". However, not all
of the acts were politically or socially motivated. Some were in it for
the fun, such as John Cooper Clarke and his patented poem, "Health
fanatic". The Cramps seemed more at home making a spectacle of
themselves than singing the piece they were delivering. The Surf Punks
were demonstrating their trademarked "Surf Humor", complete with
lifeguards gettin' it on in the watchtower. And who can forget Klaus
Nomi's unforgettable appearance, as the Automated Maid, richly belting
out "Total Eclipse Of the Sun"? This piece is a testament to the late
performer. I highly recommend this concert film, for anyone who
remembers the Music Boom of the '80s, by far the best decade of the
20th Century in which to be alive.
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