The Wake

Russ was doing his job, shoving rowdy fans back into the mosh pit to protect the camera guy. He didn’t even see it coming.

A fist flew—thwack! Blood poured. His retina detached.

Russ, part of the film crew, was helping local production company MarcusBrox Ideas shoot footage to create a documentary about the thriving music scene of the Twin Cities. The documentary, Find Your Own Way, debuted March 9 at the Varsity Theater, following performances by local bands Throw the Fight and Down and Above.

In an orgy of stylish film work and raw amplification, co-directors Jason Brox and Tyler Marcus interviewed and filmed local bands like American Head Charge, Gingerjake, Skywynd, Banehinge and Black Flood Diesel, among many others. The co-directors, who are also roommates, had been working for local metal bands creating music videos before they decided to make their first full-length film.

The unique coupling of a live rock show with a big-screen release “solidified the camaraderie” between the filmmakers and bands, Brox said. He explained how a mutually beneficial relationship is formed when film is used to show bands and their experiences creatively.

Throw The Fight played on stage before the screening of Find Your Own Way. They led the night with screaming energy. Unfortunately, the crowd didn’t reciprocate. The Brandon Boyd-like singer tried to regain the attention that was lost amidst the droning, distorted guitars. The stale performance ended with the guitarist smashing his instrument against The Varsity’s stage. The seated crowd just looked at each other. Huh?

Down and Above saved musicians and fans alike that night. The melodic three-piece played emotionally and professionally. The crowd woke up and many massed in front of the stage. Their accessible lyrics and smooth songwriting explains why they’ve been a Minneapolis favorite for so many years. Down and Above’s “Son of a Gun” is the documentary’s theme song, according to Brox.

When the documentary began, the tension in the room was thick. Most of the bands featured in the film had members and fans bubbling with pride, anticipating their own appearance in the movie. Sections of people cheered wildly throughout the screening. The dual presence of community and competition within the scene was plain to see. The bands understand each other’s struggles and encourage success, but they are all contending for limited attention from record labels, venues, and fans. And in this case, for screen time.

The film was not glued to a single narrative storyline. It gyrated around the Battle of the Bands like Gingerjake’s Amanda Harris did to her mic stand.

The documentary might have been hard to follow if the experimental editing techniques didn’t color the screen so brightly. The filming itself was also surprising. Some shots showed the sweat, the passion, the pain and the spit sparkle on their lips. That compensated for how hard it was to hear some of the interviews.

People get more for their money and an element of surprise when they choose local music over national acts, agreed Brox and producer, Joe Salomone.

In Salomone’s words, “Do you really want to be 400 yards away from the damn stage?”