The Flaming Lips - The Fearless Freaks

Starring:The Flaming Lips
Studio: Shout Factory
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Equal parts punk and psychedelia, the Flaming Lips emerged from Oklahoma City as one of the most bracing bands of the late 1980's. The Fearless Freaks documents their rise from Butthole Surfers-imitating noisemakers to grand poobahs of orchestral pop masterpieces. Filmmaker Bradley Beesely had the good fortune of living in the same neighborhood as lead Lip Wayne Coyne, who quickly enlisted his buddy to document his band's many concerts and assorted exploits. The early footage is a riot, with tragic hair styles on proud display as the boys attempt to cover up their lack of natural talent with sheer volume. During one show, they even have a friend bring a motorcycle on stage, which is then miked for sound and revved throughout the performance, clearing the club with toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Great punk rock stuff. Interspersed among the live bits are interviews with the band's family and friends, revealing the often tragic circumstances of their childhoods and early career.

By the time the film reaches the late '90s, Coyne's band has witnessed a number of personnel changes, most notably the introduction of drummer and multi-instrumentalist Steven Drozd. It's here that the Flaming Lips begin their ascent into greatness. Fueled by the alt-pop hit "She Don't Use Jelly," the band enters an era of intense experimentation, conducting a symphony for car stereos in a parking garage, releasing a 4-disc album meant to be played simultaneously, and embarking on the creation of their first masterpiece, The Soft Bulletin. Sadly, Steven Drozd's demons keep pace with the band's success. In an incredibly heartbreaking scene, Drozd talks frankly about his addiction while preparing to shoot heroin. Fortunately, Drozd kicks his habit as the Lips enter the studio for their follow-up, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, and the film ends with the band enjoying widespread acclaim as they deliver one extravagant show after another. There are some conspicuous absences in this tale, notably their weird and lucky break appearing on '80s teen drama Beverly Hills 90210 and their tour as openers and backing band for Beck. The bonus disc includes some cool outtakes and performances, but unfortunately none of the band's vibrant music videos. -- Ryan Boudinot
Description
The Wonderously Improbable Story Of The Flaming Lips

The 2-DVD set, The Fearless Freaks is an intimate look at one of today's most acclaimed alternative rock groups, the Flaming Lips. Filmmaker Bradley Beasley, the band's long-time friend and director of all of their music videos since 1992, gives us an insider's look at their 20-year transformation from Oklahoma outsiders to GRAMMY-winning elder statesmen.

Amazon.com

Equal parts punk and psychedelia, the Flaming Lips emerged from Oklahoma City as one of the most bracing bands of the late 1980's. The Fearless Freaks documents their rise from Butthole Surfers-imitating noisemakers to grand poobahs of orchestral pop masterpieces. Filmmaker Bradley Beesely had the good fortune of living in the same neighborhood as lead Lip Wayne Coyne, who quickly enlisted his buddy to document his band's many concerts and assorted exploits. The early footage is a riot, with tragic hair styles on proud display as the boys attempt to cover up their lack of natural talent with sheer volume. During one show, they even have a friend bring a motorcycle on stage, which is then miked for sound and revved throughout the performance, clearing the club with toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Great punk rock stuff. Interspersed among the live bits are interviews with the band's family and friends, revealing the often tragic circumstances of their childhoods and early career.

By the time the film reaches the late '90s, Coyne's band has witnessed a number of personnel changes, most notably the introduction of drummer and multi-instrumentalist Steven Drozd. It's here that the Flaming Lips begin their ascent into greatness. Fueled by the alt-pop hit "She Don't Use Jelly," the band enters an era of intense experimentation, conducting a symphony for car stereos in a parking garage, releasing a 4-disc album meant to be played simultaneously, and embarking on the creation of their first masterpiece, The Soft Bulletin. Sadly, Steven Drozd's demons keep pace with the band's success. In an incredibly heartbreaking scene, Drozd talks frankly about his addiction while preparing to shoot heroin. Fortunately, Drozd kicks his habit as the Lips enter the studio for their follow-up, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, and the film ends with the band enjoying widespread acclaim as they deliver one extravagant show after another. There are some conspicuous absences in this tale, notably their weird and lucky break appearing on '80s teen drama Beverly Hills 90210 and their tour as openers and backing band for Beck. The bonus disc includes some cool outtakes and performances, but unfortunately none of the band's vibrant music videos. -- Ryan Boudinot

Description

The Wonderously Improbable Story Of The Flaming Lips

This fascinating documentary features revealing interviews with band members past and present, and includes amazing footage from their entire career—truly capturing the eccentric and inventive world of The Flaming Lips. The bonus disc adds over an hour of extras including deleted scences, outtakes, live clips and much more!

Customer Reviews:

A Brilliant Documentary About An Innovative Band and Life..........2007-01-10

What can I say? The Flaming Lips are one of the greatest bands ever and most innovative and unique bands to ever walk the planet. This film shows all the struggles and brilliance of all the members and how they came about to become The Flaming Lips. All are so greatly talented in their own ways. But all so humble, friendly, and lovers of life. I have to give it up to Wayne, what a great overall guy.

I love the acoustic performance of "Psychiatric Explorations Of The Fetus With Needles". Yeah, strange title...but listen to that song and just the mood and energy of it will make life seem happy no matter what.

This one is a classic, go out and buy it.

Wonderful Intimate Portrayal (with plenty of bunny rabbits!).......2006-10-24

This is a wonderful film, and one can tell that it's definitely a labor of love.

I must say that I was disturbed by the drug use scene with Stephen. However, this is because I am a former addict. But I still think it was unnecessary to be so graphic; but he truly shared the perils of heroin addiction in the most real way.

I do wonder how the movie will turn out. I can't believe the amount of energy Wayne possesses toward his projects. I found him to be a great role model (I am an artist myself, and quite lazy by comparison).

Only one more complaint. Like in many documentaries, they will tease you with the beginning of a wonderful song, then speak over it, or cut away. I could have used less talk and more music, since this is what the documentary is ultimately about; well beside their lives and the creative process.

I highly recommend this film. Oh, and yes, it is a bit too long; but it only proves how engaged the filmmaker is in the project.

Discover the roots of the Lips philosophy.......2006-09-26

Home videos from the 70's and candid interviews give a great incite of how the Flaming Lips philosophy came about. It is difficult to watch this DVD without wanting to jump up, go out and change the world.

A wild ride you never knew existed.......2006-04-22

I had no idea that the history of the Flaming Lips could be so cool, touching, and odd. It's a great viewing, for huge fans or people new to the group.

One of the best rockumentry's I've seen .......2006-04-02

Along with Belle & Sebastian's "Fans Only" DVD, this is best rockumentry I've seen. Very rarley does one of these thigs leave you with a complete feeling at the ending, like you got your money's worth. That has to do with the cooperation the band had in making this DVD.

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