The Fearless Freaks

May 25, 2005

1h 40m

★ 7.0

The life and times of an American invention??

Overview

Equal parts punk and psychedelia, the Flaming Lips emerged from Oklahoma City as one of the most bracing bands of the late 1980s. The Fearless Freaks documents their rise from Butthole Surfers-imitating noisemakers to grand poobahs of orchestral pop masterpieces. Filmmaker Bradley Beesely had the good fortune of living in the same neighborhood as lead Lip Wayne Coyne, who quickly enlisted his buddy to document his band's many concerts and assorted exploits. The early footage is a riot, with tragic hair styles on proud display as the boys attempt to cover up their lack of natural talent with sheer volume. During one show, they even have a friend bring a motorcycle on stage, which is then miked for sound and revved throughout the performance, clearing the club with toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Great punk rock stuff. Interspersed among the live bits are interviews with the band's family and friends, revealing the often tragic circumstances of their childhoods and early career.

Genres

Music

Documentary

Production Companies

Shout! Factory

The Fearless Freaks Trailers

Cast

Self

Wayne Coyne

Self

Steven Drozd

Self

Kliph Scurlock

Self

Michael Ivins

Self

Beck

Narrator

Bradley Beesley

Self

Steve Burns

Self

Dolly Coyne

Self

Kenny Coyne

Self

Marty Coyne

Self

Tommy Coyne

Self

Jonathan Donahue

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