Artist: RAMONES
Album: END OF THE CENTURY - THE STORY (DVD)

Release date: 2005
EAN/UPS: 5023965352620
Media type: DVD

Starting with the band's origins in Forest Hills, Queens, END OF THE CENTURY: THE STORY OF THE RAMONES gives a fascinating background portrait of the eccentric group of individuals who came together to be one of the most influential punk bands in history. This documentary about the New York City renegades who made their mark in the mid-1970s with counterculture lyrics and underground performances at rundown joints like CBGB on the Bowery, shows how the band eventually earned recognition, even being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. But it is the insider look at the blue collar upbringing of the band members, and their desire to be part of Manhattan's burgeoning hard-rock scene, that is most endearing about this particular film. In candid interviews with Dee Dee Ramone, he tells stories about the group's total lack of complexity in its earliest days. Going to see contemporary acts like the New York Dolls and Iggy and the Stooges, the Ramones quickly created their own sound and practiced frenetically. When they finally made their debut with an extremely loud sound, furiously fast and short songs, and lots of drama such as blatant on-stage arguments, they practically scared away their fans. While other stars, like Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, comment on the Ramones' subsequent rise to punk stardom, providing wild stories about sex, drugs, chaos, and tragedy, it is the truly interesting story of the band's start that will linger in viewers' minds.

Reviews:

"[R]iveting....The final word on the strange birth, revolutionary genius and dysfunctional adulthood of the mother of all punk bands." -- Mojo Staff, Mojo

"[I]ts bitter emotionalism comes from a hopelessly bowl-cut band that was too legit to quit." -- Peter Relic, Rolling Stone

"[A] documentary that digs deep inside this most revolutionary and tortured of punk quartets..." -- Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

"[A]bsorbing....[T]he music has lasted..."-- Stephen Holden, New York Times

"[A]n engaging and emotional documentary..."-- Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

"It's the most comprehensive and compelling overview yet of the Ramones' career." -- Carol Clerk, Uncut

"There is pathos in their story, and a kind of perverse dignity, but this level-headed film resists the impulse toward instructive moral fable." -- Andrew O'Hehir, Sight and Sound


TRACKLIST DVD:

THE RAMONES End Of The Century (2005 UK Region 0 PAL DVD chronicals the history of one of the true legends of rock, features appearances from Debbie Harry, Rick Rubin and Joe Strummer, special features include audio commentary, additional interview excerpts, original theatrical trailer, a 'Who Wrote What On The First 3 Ramones Albums' featurette, a deleted scene with Clem Burke as Elvis Ramone. Running Time 117 minutes).

Additional Release Material:

Deleted Scene
Audio Interview - Joey Ramone - Star
Production Interview - Johnny Ramone
Richie Ramone
Dee Dee Ramone
Joe Strummer
Tommy Ramone
Debbie Harry & Chris Stein
Ritchie Adler

Featurette:
1. Marky Ramone Drum Technique
2. Who Wrote What On the First 3 Albums - Tommy Ramone
Trailer - END OF THE CENTURY