The visual aspect of film triggers the mind, and is therefore a very useful tool to lecture, and to teach kids about history. xxx ALL AGES – The Boston Hardcore Film feels like a flashback to vibrant memories to anyone that experienced the early Boston scene, and gives a vivid insight in a scene that was created in the 80’s to all youngsters. It educates on the rise of a highly influential scene that still leaves its marks today.

In an exclusive interview with Legends Arising, director Drew Stone explains: “I always wanted to make a film about the early Boston hardcore scene which was so influential, and I’m very grateful that it finally happened. To this day that scene has been a huge influence me and many other people and I’ve always felt that I had the ability to do the story justice. I was interviewed for the book “American Hardcore” and enjoyed the film that Paul Rachman and Steve Blush did, but I really felt that it was an overview and that the early Boston scene really had a strong story to tell. I reconnected with old friends Duane Lucia (Executive Producer) who had the Gallery East venue back in the day which was instrumental in the developing the early Boston Hardcore scene, and Katie “The Kleening Lady” Goldman (Producer) who was a mainstay of that early scene, and we decided to make a film.”

xxx ALL AGES xxx showcases a tolerant scene, that’s open to all ages, races and sexes. Through self-booked shows bands like SS Decontrol, Jerry’s Kids and D.Y.S. had a stage to express their anger, frustration and emotion, and by promoting these gigs DIY-style using handmade posters, they had a crowd that was willing to perceive their message.

“I grew up in New York City in the 1970’s as part of the “Blank Generation”, Stone tells us. “To late for the ’60’s thing, to early to be a part of the MTV generation (thank god) and I fucking hated disco. In August, 1981 I went up to Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts to study acting. Soon after my arrival I was introduced to a guy in the Emerson cafeteria who had his head shaved. At the time the only people that had their heads shaved were marines and psychopaths. He told me that his name was “Choke” and he was into this “Hardcore” thing. “Hardcore?” I replied “What do you mean Hardcore? Like The B52’s, Joan Jett or Blonde”? I didn’t have a fucking clue what he was getting at so after trying to explain it to me for a while we decided the best way for me to understand the whole thing was to just go and experience it for myself. So a few days later we rode our skateboards to downtown Boston and into an old factory building to a place called the Media Workshop for a Sunday matinee show. As fate would have out it was one of SS Decontrol’s first shows and it turned out to be a pivot point in my life. There were about 30 people there and everyone in attendance was my age or younger. There were no drugs or alcohol around which was very strange to me coming from a very different environment back in New York City. I felt very connected to what was going on in the room and jumped right into the melee. After the band finished playing the guitar player Al “Lethal” Barile came up and introduced himself to me and in turn the introduced the other guys in the band. He was very interested in knowing who I was and where I came from. It was a VERY small scene back then so when someone new showed up they were met with much enthusiasm. Regardless to say after that I was swept up in the early Boston Hardcore scene which to say the least was an extremely exciting time.” 

Stone’s dedication and excitement translates to the screen smoothly, and gives a matchless impression of how the Boston scene used to be. It might sound like a fairy tale to most kids; riding your bmx or skateboard to spread handmade posters and flyers to promote local shows that keep a tight knit community alive. Things have changed over the years, and in a way I long for the community-feel, or the excitement building up towards a self-booked and -promoted show. Stone clarifies: “I’m still involved in the hardcore scene being that I sing for the NYHC band ANTIDOTE so I still see new bands and have a feel for what’s going on in the community. The internet has become the main means of communication and sadly for the new generation it’s all they know.”

xxx ALL AGES xxx above all stimulates to get the best of our scene, and to work hard to make it last. As part of “the new generation”, the movie triggers me to get away from my computer and focus on the development of our community through social events and physical promotion, rather than through online networks exclusively. Stone adds: “There is always room for growth. There will always be a a group of 16 year olds in their garage learning how to play their instruments and playing hard music as fast as they can. For many people growing up like myself at the time hardcore music was a “gateway” to other artistic endeavors. Some of the values and principles that I picked up in the early hardcore scene are still a part of my life to this day.”

A recommendation goes out to all of you – xxx ALL AGES xxx portrays a beautiful piece of history, yet provokes the mind to start thinking about your personal contribution to our community, our scene. Stone concludes: “Hardcore is a attitude and a spirit. I think that it means different things to different people and each generation has it’s own take on it. That said I believe the spirit of hardcore will never die!” How does your attitude and spirit translate into our community?

xxx ALL AGES xxx is a DIY film about a DIY scene, and it’s being marketed in a DIY way. We support true independent filmmaking, and urge you to do too if you can afford it. The DVD can be purchased at www.allagesbostonhardcore.com.

xxx ALL AGES xxx: Facebook / Website / Buy xxx ALL AGES xxx – The Boston Hardcore Film