Movie Info
Genre
Biography, Drama, MusicRelease Date
August 08, 2008 (Limited)MPAA Rating
RDuration
92 min.Studio
Vision FilmsOfficial Site
click here
REVIEWS RATE:
Critics 
Readers 
[Rate It]
Cast and Crew
Director
Rodger GrossmanProducer
Stephen Nemeth, Rodger Grossman, Kevin Mann, Matthew PerniciaroScreenwriter
Rodger Grossman, Michelle Baer GhaffariStarring
- Shane West as Darby Crash
- Bijou Phillips
- Rick Gonzales
- Noah Segan
- Ashton Holmes
- Tina Majorino
- Thom Bishops
Movie Story
Set in Los Angeles in the late 1970's, the story begins when Paul Beahm amd George Ruthenberg, driven by drugs, music and rebellion, became determined to make their mark on society. Paul adopted the name Darby Crash, George became Pat Smear, and Terry Ryan, a girl they met while stalking Freddie Mercury, became bassist Lorna Doom. They called themselves The Germs because, according to Darby, everything starts from a germ and these Germs were going to start everything. And, very quickly, The Germs became the chaotic beating heart of an equally chaotic scene.
The Germs performed blistering shows that often left destroyed clubs and were banned from every club in the city. As the scene grew more violent and Darby sank deeper into drugs, the band broke up and Darby escaped to London. When he returned to LA in 1980 he reunited The Germs and played a torrid, sold-out show that is still remembered as their best ever. Then, sealing his rightful place in the pantheon of icons, Darby followed through on his five year plan to become a legendary hero, killing himself with an overdose of heroin. He was twenty-one years old.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential punk bands in history, numerous bands have recorded tributes to The Germs, including Courtney Love and Hole, Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Mike D (Beastie Boys) Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), L7 (Slash recording artist). Pat Smear later achieved international stardom playing for bands Nirvana and the Foo Fighters.
Twenty five years later, after a smash Los Angeles show to celebrate the completion of shooting on WHAT WE DO IS SECRET, The Germs have reunited once again, making actor Shane West their new lead singer. They are currently planning a series of upcoming tour dates around the world.
Movie Stills
Reader's Reviews
Okay, The germs are my life! They are my fav band and Paul Beahm [Darby Crash] is ahhh, I love him I know a lot about him, Kinda makes me feel like a stalker. But i'm not I just read his book. Darby Crash is amazing i'm glad they made a movie about him, But I don't like Shane West he trys way to hard to be exactly like Darby. A little to hard, He has stolen Darbys style. He has a big roll to fill but he doesn't need to act exactly like him. Darby said on the night of there last show "We did this show so you new people could see what it was like when we were around. You're not going to see it again". This was said on December 3,1980. What year is it now and the germs are back. I LOVE THE GERMS. They are amazing but they went on what Darby said, That was 4 days before Darby commited sucide. I wish I was born in the 70's in CA because that is were punk started not england. I would DIE if I got to see the Germs back in the day. Expectly there first show, Were Lorna wore her pants in side out and Darby diped the mic in peanut butter. And coverd him self with red licorice and alls they did was make noise. But is were they stared and its grate! Heres a fact for you all who didn't know. Fact: The Circle : A blue circle on a black background that has been known to symbolize everything from Darby's dilated blue eyes to "circle one" (the germs contingent), to the eastern philosophy of cycles of death and life Darby was obsessed with circles; everything goes in circles. The circle was on armbands and burned into flesh with cigarettes, denoting alliance with the germs. The circle was also on the (GI) album cover. Paul Beahm Then Bobbby Pyn Then later Darby Crash is a LEGEND. I'm worst speller ever i'm sorry.
posted by kAtie vAmpire on Oct 02, 2008drove up to dc for the premiere at 4th st theater... for what it is, i think they did a good job. i didnt like all of "darby's" interviews (the black and white confessionals)... but still well put together. plus, it's not often that i get to hear my name in a movie!!!
posted by lorna on Sep 26, 2008I was nervous about Shane West too... a lot of people have been bashing him but I think they just haven't seen it. Shane did an awesome job!! And I think Bijou Phillips is adorable. I Kinda want to go see the Germs live now.
posted by sam on Aug 21, 2008I recommend the film for both nostalgic and young audiences alike to sneak a peek into the rise of hardcore punk in LA. "Fast forward 29 years. Crash, the infamous Germs singer, has been dead longer than he ever lived, but his mystique lives on in a new movie by Rodger Grossman" --Denise Hamilton
posted by Silvermojomonkey on Aug 17, 2008
Saw in NY. AWESOME. Great story of the origins of punk rock. I felt like I was there!
posted by dhieka on Aug 16, 2008I just saw it in Chicago, at the music box... And I was blown away! I was pretty nervous to see the film, because I wasn't sure about Shane West playing Darby Crash or how the film'd depict the LA punk scene... But DAMN! I loved the realism and crazy cinematography in the concert scenes!!!
posted by Harold Pyn on Aug 16, 2008amazing!
posted by Bia on Aug 11, 2008