924 GILMAN STREET
Let's Talk About Tact And Timing... DVD



Director Jack Curran's debut feature, 924 Gilman Street, is an ambitious documentary that chronicles the 21-year history of the volunteer-run, all-ages venue in Berkeley, California and captures a music scene still thriving today on creativity and a sense of camaraderie.

In 924 Gilman Street, Curran crafts an intimate portrait of a small punk venue that continues to foster a vital music scene, and most importantly, a sense of hope that punk principles and practices can build a successful, long-running community.

Founded in late 1986, 924 Gilman Street is a DIY punk venue operated solely by volunteers. While many music venues, DIY or not, have succumbed to urban gentrification, and while punk culture became co-opted by the mainstream, 924 Gilman has survived and is still going strong.

The interviews & live performances show the synergy of band, audience, and venue that makes this a special place. The feature film is 86 minutes long, and the DVD extras include a short film with operational details of Gilman, plus a clean classroom audio version. Brand New! All Region Compatible NTSC!


People interviewed in the documentary & the short film:
Jello Biafra
Ian MacKaye
Lars Frederickson (Rancid)
Matt Freeman (Op Ivy, Rancid)
Adrienne Droogas (Spitboy)
Richie Bucher (Sweet Baby)
Jake Filth (Filth)
Jesse Michaels (Op Ivy)
Kamala (Cringer)
Lawrence Livemore (Lookout! Records)
Mike Kirsch (Fuel)
Eric Yee (DWK, US Thugs)
Ted Leo (The Pharmacists)
Paul Curran (Onion Flavored Rings)
Ken (Gilman security)
Dan W (Left Off The Dial Records)
Jerme Spew (graverobber)
Sweettooth (Lil' Runt)
Blake Schwarzenbach (Jawbreaker)
Dick Lucas (Subhumans, Citizen Fish)
Dexter (Offspring)
Noodles (Offspring)
Naoma (Gilman booker)
Jake (Gilman booker)
Alex Knoll (comedian)
Eggplant (Blatz)
Jocyelyn (Capitol Punishment)
Dale (Capitol Punishment)
Jesse Luscious (Blatz, Frisk, AT mail male)
Ariel Awesome (Gilman Co-Head Coordinator)
Al Blotto (Blottos)
Will Sedition (Acts Of Sedition)
Dave Scattered (ex-Head Coordinator)
Chris (Gilman security)
Wendy O Matik (Gag Order, author)
Chuck Goshert, PhD (Monsula)
Andy Asp (Nuisance)
Anna Joy (Blatz)
Dolf (Trust Zine)
Band performances included in the documentary include:
Operation Ivy
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists
Delightful Little Nothings
Pinhead Gunpowder
Panty Raid
Jason Webley
Pansy Division
Generator
Citizen Fish
The Damage Done
Fleshies
Abandon
Jewdriver
The Frisk
DSB
F-Minus
Dominatrix
The Enemies
Atom & His Package
Screeching Weasel
Against Me!
Jawbreaker


REVIEW!

"It's a funny thing to see the punk generation grow old. In America, raging against the machine must be done either ironically or moronically, unless you really want to be shot at from helicopters. The myriad movements inspired by punk survived largely by becoming institutions. These days, resistance has been relegated to a mere fashion statement. Punk is now a charming phase for white kids to go through.
So there's something bittersweet and nostalgic about watching Jack Curran's documentary 924 Gilman St.: Let's Talk About Tact and Timing, about the world-famous Berkeley punk venue, which first opened its doors in 1986. The film details the origins of the venue and its early years under the umbrella of MaximumRocknRoll magazine, featuring first-hand accounts interspersed with footage of more recent performances of bands like Ted Leo & the Pharmacists and Pansy Division, filmed by Curran and crew. That the all-ages venue is still open 22 years hence is testament to the tenacity of its volunteers, who book the bands, clean the toilets, and negotiate for its existence with the City of Berkeley. Gilman changed the punk rock world by barring bands deemed homophobic, sexist, racist, or on major labels.
Punk historians and archivists will appreciate being able to put faces to legendary punk names and voices like Op Ivy's Jesse Michaels and Fugazi's Ian MacKaye. The film, distributed by Alternative Tentacles, does a reasonable job of explaining what makes Gilman so special."
- East Bay Express