One Man in the Band reviews
Review by on 28 Sep 2008
this film was funny, weird, sweet and melancholy all at the same time... i loved it
this film was funny, weird, sweet and melancholy all at the same time... i loved it
Review by on 27 Sep 2008
Think one man bands, think cockney geezer carrying a back-strapped bass drum and hitched up with cymbals that sound whenever he takes a step. As this insightful documentary proves, nothing could be further from the truth in twenty-first century Britain; these vagrants of the music industry prove to be eclectic and eccentric, humorous with always a sting of melancholy.
At one end of the spectrum we meet Honkeyfinger roaring a stinging blues vocal whilst thrashing his guitar and drums. Then Thomas Truax, a rather sad figure, who creates his own mechanical instruments. One of the most striking questions to present itself is whether or not the bands are truly happy. The talent in some cases literally drips from the musicians, suggesting the possibility that their egos may not be able to endure band mates. Others are clearly quite lonely, yet relish their independence.
Director Clitheroe is a one man band himself, having done absolutely everything on this film. Perhaps it is this common ground that allows him to gain the bands’ trust, resulting in an honest portrayal of life away from the stereotype. His own solitude cannot help but be reflected: the simplistic camera shots and intimacy of interviewer and interviewee creates a sense of a private conversation that you are intruding on.
We are taken on a journey to a world quite unknown. What becomes clear is that one in a band is just as good as more. Perhaps this film will go some way into ditching the dated stereotype and give them the recognition they deserve.
Lucy Adams, Festival Daily
Think one man bands, think cockney geezer carrying a back-strapped bass drum and hitched up with cymbals that sound whenever he takes a step. As this insightful documentary proves, nothing could be further from the truth in twenty-first century Britain; these vagrants of the music industry prove to be eclectic and eccentric, humorous with always a sting of melancholy. At one end of the spectrum we meet Honkeyfinger roaring a stinging blues vocal whilst thrashing his guitar and drums. Then Thomas Truax, a rather sad figure, who creates his own mechanical instruments. One of the most striking questions to present itself is whether or not the bands are truly happy. The talent in some cases literally drips from the musicians, suggesting the possibility that their egos may not be able to endure band mates. Others are clearly quite lonely, yet relish their independence.
Director Clitheroe is a one man band himself, having done absolutely everything on this film. Perhaps it is this common ground that allows him to gain the bands’ trust, resulting in an honest portrayal of life away from the stereotype. His own solitude cannot help but be reflected: the simplistic camera shots and intimacy of interviewer and interviewee creates a sense of a private conversation that you are intruding on.
We are taken on a journey to a world quite unknown. What becomes clear is that one in a band is just as good as more. Perhaps this film will go some way into ditching the dated stereotype and give them the recognition they deserve.
Lucy Adams, Festival Daily
Film details
One Man in the Band
MUSIC AT THE MOVIES
Director: Adam Clitheroe
Actor: Dennis Hopper Choppers
Actor: Duracell
Actor: Honkeyfinger
Actor: Man from Uranus
Actor: Dennis Hopper Choppers
Actor: Duracell
Actor: Honkeyfinger
Actor: Man from Uranus
UK, 2008.
83 mins. English.
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