Watch Louder, Faster, Shorter, a Snapshot of S.F. Punk in 1978

By Ian S. Port Mon., Mar. 5 2012 at 3:25 PM

Categories: Local Frequency

The Avengers in Louder, Faster, Shorter

From the depths of the web (thanks to Dangerous Minds) comes this clip of Louder, Faster, Shorter, a fascinating 20-minute film about the S.F. punk scene in 1978. Centered around a two-day benefit at the Mabuhay Gardens for Kentucky coal workers (who were striking at the time), the film shows single songs performed by five notable early S.F. punk bands: The Avengers, the Dils, The Sleepers, UXA, and the Mutants.

The performances shown here include both the more confrontational, stripped-down sounds of UXA and the Avengers, as well as the quirkier, new wave stylings of the Mutants. These five bands were among 14 who performed at the benefit, which ultimately resulted in a check for $3,300 being sent to support the striking coal workers.

The site RE/Search has a few copies left of Louder, Faster, Shorter on DVD, as well as a 2007 review of the film. (It was directed by Mindaugis Bagdon, a contributor to the influential punk zine Search & Destroy, whose founder, V. Vale, also started RE/Search.)

It'd be pretty tough to relive the old days of S.F. punk in person. But former Avengers singer Penelope Houston is performing March 29 at Cafe Du Nord in support of a new solo album and a new, two-disc retrospective of the Avengers, who were widely considered the best S.F. punk band of the time.

[Dangerous Minds]

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