David Markey

Directing

David Markey

Born December 3, 1963 · Burbank, California, U.S. (age 62)

David Markey (born December 3, 1963 in Burbank, California) is an American film director. As a self-taught filmmaker and musician, Markey directed, produced, edited, and photographed most of his films, the majority of which has been self-funded and distributed. His work documents the punk scene in Southern California throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Markey has worked with Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Mud…

Known For

The Secret Lives of Bill BartellThe Secret Lives of Bill Bartell · 2025
The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell
2025
MovieDocumentaryMusic
Bill Bartell was a multifaceted individual who traversed the punk rock scene, law enforcement, rodeo riding, and country music. Known for his unique contribution to punk rock through his label Gasatanka Records and band White Flag, Bartell's life defies conventional boundaries, blending hyper-masculinity with subcultural rebellion. His story, filled with mysterious and seemingly contradictory roles, offers a compelling narrative about identity, transformation, and the unexpected paths life can take.
1991: The Year Punk Broke1991: The Year Punk Broke · 1992
1991: The Year Punk Broke
★ 6.81992
MovieDocumentaryMusic
David Markey's documentary of life on the road with Sonic Youth and Nirvana during their tour of Europe in late 1991. Also featuring live performances by Dinosaur Jr, Babes in Toyland, The Ramones and Gumball.
Citizen TaniaCitizen Tania · 1989
Citizen Tania
★ 7.01989
MovieDramaCrime
The Symbionese Liberation Army kidnaps Patty Hearst, but Patty is all-too-willing to join them, in this strange docudrama by renowned artist Raymond Pettibon.
Skeeno H.C. RulesSkeeno H.C. Rules · 1991
Skeeno H.C. Rules
1991
MovieComedyMusic
Sonic Youth play hockey arena w/ Neil Young in Reno, Nevada. Ten years earlier 7 Seconds recorded the earnest hardcore classic "Skins, Brains, & Guts" EP. The town was known as Skeeno. Audio recorded especially for the film by Society's Ills, a band consisting of Mike Watt (bass), Thurston (vocals), Dez Cadena (guitar), & David Markey (drums), who cover said EP.
Lou BelieversLou Believers · 1988
Lou Believers
1988
MovieComedyAdventure
Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, and Lou Reed roam the streets of Los Angeles searching for James Woods.
Cut ShortsCut Shorts · 2006
Cut Shorts
★ 8.02006
MovieDocumentaryMusic
A collection of short films and music videos from independent filmmaker David Markey, from 1974 to 2004.
Weatherman '69Weatherman '69 · 1989
Weatherman '69
★ 10.01989
MovieComedyDrama
Featuring a cast that includes Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore, Mike Watt of the legendary hardcore band Minutemen, and Pettibon himself, this deadpan narrative pays dubious homage to the 1960's radical underground. In this crudely rendered home video of a commune of stoned revolutionaries, the cameras are hand-held, the edits in-camera, and the dialogue is wryly on-target. Pettibon's band of outsiders reenacts a countercultural moment defined by rock music, drugs, and ideological paradox — and in so doing, captures their own late-80's West Coast grunge milieu as well.
GooGoo · 1991
Goo
★ 5.71991
MovieMusicDocumentary
In 1991, a long-form music video version of Goo was released on VHS and LaserDisc. A music video for each song from the album was included; the track listing was identical to that of the original album.

Filmography

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(This Is Known as) The Blues Scale(This Is Known as) The Blues Scale · 2004
(This Is Known as) The Blues Scale
★ 7.02004
MovieDocumentary
While planning the eventual DVD release for "1991: The Year Punk Broke", Dave Markey cut a 40-minute film out of unused footage to create a companion piece to include. The film was also shown to a handful of lucky audiences before the DVD's eventual release in 2011. It's an awesome bonus with tons of great footage that could have easily been in the film. These songs were probably the best to leave out of the full-length film, since 2 were brand new and still quite shaky. The only tour staple not accounted for in either film is "Mary-Christ". Here are the sources I could determine: Inhuman - ?? White Kross - 08/27/91 Bremen Orange Rolls, Angel's Spit - 08/24/91 Koln In Bloom (Nirvana) - 09/01/91 Rotterdam Eric's Trip - 09/01/91 Rotterdam (but spoken intro is from 08/25/91?) Tunic snippet - 08/27/91 Bremen Chapel Hill - 08/27/91 Bremen

Director

Reality 86'dReality 86'd · 1991
Reality 86'd
★ 7.01991
MovieMusicDocumentary
Three bands and crew (a combined total of 13 individuals), 2 Dodge Ram extended cab vans, one equipment truck, one PA system traverse the continental US for six months. A road documentary shot from the inside of the last Black Flag tour ever (the 1986 “In My Head” US tour.) Featuring behind the scenes proceedings and live performances from Black Flag, Painted Willie, and Gone. David Markey was along for the entire trip as the drummer / singer for Painted Willie, documenting the six month tour with his Super-8 camera as it happened. Also features roadie Joe (“Planet Joe”) Cole, soundmen Davo Claasen and Dave “Ratman” Levine, and the tour manager who kept it all together, Mitch Bury. A crucial turning point in American underground rock. The end of the line for a trail blazing American band. Shot in 1986 and completed by director David Markey in 1991 for We Got Power. (futuristika.org)

Director

Circle Jerks: My Career as a JerkCircle Jerks: My Career as a Jerk · 2012
Circle Jerks: My Career as a Jerk
2012
MovieDocumentary
From the beginning, LA punk band the Circle Jerks were rooted in controversy. Formed by ex members of Black Flag and Red Cross (now Redd Kross) in late 1979, the band came to encapsulate the image, sound and energy of California Hardcore Punk. Filmmaker David Markey (1991: The Year Punk Broke, The Slog Movie) mixes in-depth interviews, rare live footage and historical perspective to illustrate the story of one of the most influential bands in the American underground. My Career as a Jerk follows the band from their early days and classic debut to navigating the independent label and touring scene of the 80s to the addictions, fights and injuries that forced their break up. Of course the story doesn't quite end there.

Director