This feature film from 1979 would be just another mindless teen flick if not for one thing---the presence of the Ramones. The band agreed to appear in the film because they respected producer Roger Corman and they end up saving the day not only in the movie's plotline but also in reality. The standard teen film antagonist/protagonist battle ensues when a tough lady principal takes over at Vince Lombardi High School where she meets her match in the form of a rebellious and strong-minded girl, Riff Randell. Riff can concentrate on little more than the upcoming Ramones concert and that leads her to put a variety of Machiavellian schemes into play as she butts heads with the principal. The cast as a whole "chews the scenery" (overacts) but that is intentional; the technique doesn't play as well today as it did thirty years ago. Still this is a fun viewing and mandatory for fans of the Ramones' early work. Songs performed include "Blitzkrieg Bop," "Pinhead," "Teenage Lobotomy" and "Rock'n'Roll High School." buy it here

Suburbia
Shout Factory

Another Corman work, this one from 1983. Written and directed by Penelope Spheeris of Wayne's World fame, Suburbia takes a look at the early '80s punk scene in Los Angeles through the eyes of two young brothers who run away from home to escape an abusive and alcoholic mother. The boys fall in with a "family" of punks and that sets up the plot for plenty of social commentary as the group tussles with various haters and do-gooders. Amongst all the squalor-and-holler though the kids find a way to attend a few punk concerts where the Mohawk-rockin' beat is thrown down by the Vandals, T.S.O.L. and D.I. Keep an eye out for Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers; he made his acting debut in this film. buy it here

Klaus Schulze featuring Lisa Gerrard
Dziekuje Bardzo
SPV