if i assume that you know what this film be about and i be also force to assume that you have come to this review know that you will probably watch it regardless of what i say . if all this ring true read on you be likely to find some consonance with at least part of this review . if youre undecided and or not really entirely certain what happen in the late 70 and early 80 in the urban and suburban youth music culture and you should probably read one of the review which pretend to be objective instead . although i do not grow up in california and the american punk scene be the first music scene i ever truly live in . at the height of the hardcore i be immerse in from about 1979 1981 everybody have a band and the only common denominator between band and indeed member of their audience be represent the rejection of conformity tolerance and enjoyment of difference a desire to have fun hard and fasthairstyles and politics and dislike of authority figure and and violent slam dance be not integral to what i experienced and though there be certainly clique or faction who tend to be intolerant of those who do not dress and speak or act punk enough . and there be often a certain amount of unearned credit extend from some of these clique to those who try really hard to live down to the fascistic paradigm of anarchic and self mutilating and angry young cop hater . although the interview with audience punk in penelope spheeris excellent cal punk documentary decline of western civilization present a very narrow view of the subculture some of u enjoyed and the interview with the band and club owner and promoter and even the security people be much more representative of at least my own perspective and memory of the scene . nevertheless and it be possible for those who approach this with prejudice about what punk be to experience this film without have their preconception challenge . unfortunate a this be and the blame for it rest solely with those who promote and believe in or feel comfortable with stereotype not the film maker . don not blame the messenger . the music present here be not go to be for everybody nor even most . it not the most crude stuff out there and but it loud and obnoxious and fast and and less concerned with technique than with raw energy . for me and see early black flag with ron reyes sing and x and fear and the circle jerk be worth far more than the cost of this hard to obtain film . as much a i like the germ and see darby crash for the mess and the nice guy that he be leave me a bit cold . nevertheless and the scene of darby play with his pet tarantula while shut down drone on and on in the background be precious . the x interview be also great . spheeris straightforward documentary style be supplement by wild pan and zoom during the musical segment . during the interview and framing be use very nicely to provide context for whatever be be say . consider her experience and the budget and spheeris do as well a anybody could have with this film . recommend for those who appreciate what this film be actually about and and for those who have forget those few year of fun and honest and direction less rebellion before amaerican punk be co opt into yet another flow within the musical mainstream and the stereotype become more important than the basic philosophy .