‘Bleeding Audio’ Documentary Review: A Top Shelf Love Letter to Pop-Punk
The Documentary’s Virtual Premiere Comes Courtesy of Dances With Films Festival
In the last 15 years, the modern music industry has shifted into a nearly unsustainable model for the very artists on whose back its success rests. The Matches, a pop punk band from Oakland, California experienced this as they reached the height of their popularity during the fall of physical media sales across the globe. Director Chelsea Christer crafts a beautifully shot, heartbreakingly sweet story detailing the highs and lows of the band’s history from their start as local boys making CD copies at Kinko’s to their selling out back to back reunion shows in a matter of minutes. Warning: I may be slightly biased in this review as far as nostalgia for a certain taste in music (their discography was basically my high school soundtrack) but ‘Bleeding Audio’ is unquestionably the most thoughtfully constructed and true-to-spirit music documentary I have ever seen.
@bleeding_audio
To attempt to portray the nonstop road life and indelible bonds that the band made is difficult in feature length form and would be flat out foolish to try to sum up here. However, the basics: Shawn Harris (vocals, guitar), Justin SanSouci (vocals, bass), Jon Devoto (vocals, guitar) and Matt Whalen (drums) make up the madness that is The Matches. Known for their explosive on-stage energy and unconventional aesthetics both musically and visually, the band was constantly on the cusp of mainstream clout but unfortunately succumbed to the music industry’s digital transition that took place in the early-2000s. They released their first album, E. Von Dahl Killed The Locals in 2004 with Epitaph Records, officially went on hiatus after the self-distributed final album in 2009 and have reunited for several live tours since 2014.
Using tons of live concert footage and old backstage clips, Christer not only captures the charm of the boys but the heart of the film comes from the people who found a family of similar misfits and created a community of outcasts: the fans. Dozens if not hundreds of tattoos on die hard fans open the documentary and if you’re paying attention to The Matches’ penchant for post show acoustic jams, there’s a touching meta treat in the film’s credits. As the doc implies, it was never for lack of fan support that the band struggled. The means for their survival was decided by the music gods… and irresponsible management.
Perhaps the most upsetting point in the musical journey comes at the realization that their long time manager, Miles Hurwitz, cost himself and the band years of profits because of a simple clerical oversight. The documentary features interviews from many professionals and colleagues of the industry including Mark Hoppus (Blink-182), Tom Higgenson (Plain White T’s), Nick Hexum (311) and now big time producers John Feldman, Matt Rad and Mike Green. Several of these collaborators had less than fond memories of the Matches’ controlling manager often telling him to “shut up and get out” while recording the sophomore album, Decomposer. Suffice to say, Hurwitz’s involvement plus a collapsing market and general burnout from playing hundreds of shows a year turned The Matches into the Sisyphus of the alternative scene.
Complimenting these interviews and archival footage are some incredible animations from artist Marisa Cruz. These high quality drawings of the band members with quirky movements and graphics were honestly, a visual flair that sets this doc apart from others in the way that band’s own visual style set them apart from the typical t-shirts and jeans of most bands of the time. Early Matches uniforms were the torn clothes and mohawk punk look eventually evolving into super sleek, matching three piece suits and pointy boots like some posh pirates. Two of the band members are visual artists themselves and so the documentary showcases their fantastic flyer art over the years as well as unique music video concepts.
After the digital premiere, the band and the crew held a Q & A. They discussed tackling creativity during a pandemic and how they hope to play more shows whenever that’s possible again. Despite venues across the nation closing, they noted that through supporting Save Our Stages, calling congress members, and voting in November, there’s a chance there could still be places to play shows in the future.
Overall, even if you’ve never heard of The Matches, Chelsea Christer and team developed a top shelf love letter to the band, the fans and the songs that brought them together. It’s a vibrant dissection into the music and music industry at large and I hope to see more from Christer. From one fan to another, whether you find yourself liking the music, the movie or both just know, “you belong.”