Reality 86'd

Reality 86'd

1991 · 63 min · ★ 7.0 · Music, Documentary

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)

Directed by David Markey

Your Rating

Cast

Make it a double feature

3h 3m together

Reality 86'd

Weatherman '69

Both from David Markey.

More from David MarkeySee all →

Weatherman '69

Weatherman '69 · 1989

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.

The Book of Manson

The Book of Manson · 1989

The Book of Manson

Charles Manson, claiming to be the Second Coming, leads his young followers down the path of sex and murder in this bizarre homage by renowned artist Raymond Pettibon.

Desolation Center

Desolation Center · 2018

Desolation Center

MovieDocumentaryMusic

The untold story of a series of Reagan-era guerrilla punk and industrial desert happenings in Southern California that are now recognized as the inspiration for Burning Man, Lollapalooza, and Coachella. Interviews and rare performance footage of Sonic Youth, Minutemen, Meat Puppets, Redd Kross, Einstürzende Neubauten, Survival Research Laboratories, Savage Republic, Swans and more.

The Slog Movie

The Slog Movie · 1982

MovieMusicDocumentary

A raw and unparalleled DIY documentary about the West Coast Punk scene made by a group of young fans/filmmakers about the bands they loved.

Cut Shorts

Cut Shorts · 2006

MovieDocumentaryMusic

A collection of short films and music videos from independent filmmaker David Markey, from 1974 to 2004.

Citizen Tania

Citizen Tania · 1989

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.

(This Is Known as) The Blues Scale

(This Is Known as) The Blues Scale · 2004

(This Is Known as) The Blues Scale

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

1991: The Year Punk Broke

1991: The Year Punk Broke · 1992

1991: The Year Punk Broke

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.

7th Heaven

7th Heaven · 1996

SeriesFamilyDrama

Reverend Eric Camden and his wife Annie have always had their hands full caring for seven children, not to mention the friends, sweethearts and spouses that continually come and go in the Camden household.

Sonic Youth: Corporate Ghost

Sonic Youth: Corporate Ghost · 2004

Sonic Youth: Corporate Ghost

A compilation of 24 music videos by Sonic Youth ranging from 1990 to 2002. Collaborators include Harmony Korine, Spike Jonze, Todd Haynes, Mark Romanek, Richard Kern, and more.

Goo

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.

Desperate Teenage Lovedolls

Desperate Teenage Lovedolls · 1984

Desperate Teenage Lovedolls

MovieMusicComedy

Two girls rediscover their love for playing rock, find a drummer and begin practicing. When one of their mothers intervenes, they run away from home and are forced to fend for themselves on the streets against gangs and rival bands. Soon they are discovered and taken under the wing of rock manager Johnny Tremaine (played by Steven McDonald) who uses them for sex and his own aspirations of wealth. The Love Dolls set out to get revenge on those who have wronged them, and rise to the top of the rock world.

Lovedolls Superstar

Lovedolls Superstar · 1986

Lovedolls Superstar

MovieComedyDrama

The Lovedolls return from their untimely demise in this 1986 sequel to "Desperate Teenage Lovedolls". Patch Kelley (Janet Housden) becomes Patch Christ, the leader of an acid-damaged religious cult who rescues has been Kitty Karryall from a boozy, wasted life. Rocking by Redd Kross, Sonic Youth, Meat Puppets, Dead Kennedys, & more! You can't kill a Lovedoll, babe... because Superstars never die!

The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell

The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell · 2025

The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell

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.

Lou Believers

Lou Believers · 1988

MovieComedyAdventure

Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, and Lou Reed roam the streets of Los Angeles searching for James Woods.

Skeeno H.C. Rules

Skeeno H.C. Rules · 1991

Skeeno H.C. Rules

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.

More Like This

Vernon, Florida

Vernon, Florida · 1981

Vernon, Florida

MovieDocumentary

Early Errol Morris documentary intersplices random chatter he captured on film of the genuinely eccentric residents of Vernon, Florida. A few examples? The preacher giving a sermon on the definition of the word "Therefore," and the obsessive turkey hunter who speaks reverentially of the "gobblers" he likes to track down and kill.

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years · 1988

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

MovieDocumentaryMusic

An exploration of the heavy metal scene in Los Angeles, with particular emphasis on glam metal. It features concert footage and interviews of legendary heavy metal and hard rock bands and artists such as Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Megadeth, Motörhead, Ozzy Osbourne and W.A.S.P..

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter