Directed by: Dave Grohl
Starring: Dave Grohl, Paul McCartney, Trent Reznor, and Rick Springfield, among others
Plot: The history and legacy of Sound City, an infamous recording studio.
Review:
Dave Grohl is a singer, songwriter, drummer, guitarist, and now a filmmaker. He was a member of Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, and many others. Even Tenacious D. He is one of the biggest modern rock and roll icons in a market where rock music is constantly pushed to the side for the next Justin Beiber. It is fitting then that he direct and conceptualize this story of one of rock and roll’s best kept secrets.
Dave Grohl remembers his first visit to Sound City, the now legendary recording studio located in Van Nuys, California. He remembers piling into a shitty van that was ready to breakdown at any moment and pulling up to the shittiest shithole he has ever seen. He couldn’t even believe that this was the infamous analog mecca that has contributed to more than 100 certified gold and platinum records. But there they were lining up the hallway leading to the studio that housed the Neve board, a one-of-a-kind analog control panel that is considered superior to all the modern digital panels and all the fancy Pro-Tools and Auto-Tune softwares.
The documentary was supposed to be about this legendary Neve board, but then its maker, Rupert Neve himself, comes on and gives the dullest description of rock and roll only worth seeing for the “Jeez” subtitle under Dave Grohl’s dumbfounded face. Dave Grohl digs and finds something much bigger and better than the inner workings of the board.The first part of the film reveals the history of the studio itself. The motely crew that staff the joint. The aging rock stars looking back on all the good times, and of course each of them have something witty to say about the appalling appearance of the place. Ultimately, it’s about the music. It is about the magic and the romance that inspires and drives artists to make great big memorable things. It is about the collaboration that can only happen in a big room when you are playing together. A real meeting of the minds, and I don’t mean that sarcastically.
Grohl and Paul McCartney getting buddy-buddy
The second part of the movie revolves around the sale of the Neve board on the now defunct recording studio to Dave Grohl, who installs it in his own studio. With that hardware now under his control, he called up anyone who would listen and invited them to join him in making an album on that board that all shot them to stardom (that album, Sound City: Real to Reel, is to be released on March 12th).
Second City is an absolute must see for any music buff.
Rating: 9/10
If you like this, check out: Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop, a similar look at the passion and inspiration behind comedy.
The Neve!
