You're Gonna Miss Me/Roky Erickson DVD out 7/10

[christopher]

this might've been covered in another thread in the music forum.

http://www.musictap.net/

later, chris

July 10 will bring You’re Gonna Miss Me, a film story of Roky Erickson (13th Floor Elevators) about his schizophrenic behaviours and his drug binges including his stay at Rush Hospital (a hospital for the criminally insane) and his found way back. Besides the heroic story, this DVD will contain plenty of extras that include of rarities like uncut live performances, acoustic performances and readings, the Austin City Limits 2005 documentary on Roky’s return to music, and more. Also planned is a separately available soundtrack to this film.

[Walt]

Just watched this last night - what a great documentary.

[Larry L]

I just got back from seeing him do a show! They screened the doc before, but I got there too late. He had The Explosives as his backup band. He seemed to be doing very well. I didn't think I would ever get to see him live.

[PFA]

I watched this documentary a few days ago. Generally very disappointed. Very little footage of the early Elevators in there. Lots about his sad mother (who cares?). I mean, who wants to watch an hour of him sitting in his mother's house unable to function, or his mother's singing career?

The saving grace for the DVD are the extras. They were loads better than the documentary. There's a whole section of performance footage that is just great. It includes some excellent acoustic guitar performances that were filmed by his wife. Wonderful stuff. And it has an extra documentary with him performing live for the first time in Austin in 30 years, that is better than the YGMM doc.

Vernon Fitch
Pink Floyd Archives

[Urban Spaceman]

I watched this a couple of nights ago. I am so bummed that I didn't get to see him down in NYC - hopefully he'll come back soon. I thought it was interesting, but definitely a little tough to watch in spots. There are still a few unanswered questions - especially as to why he just dropped out of music altogether around 1987. The post-Rusk years were active enough, certainly. It was sad to see that clip of him onstage in '87 where the band is vamping "You're Gonna Miss Me" and he's standing there, arms folded and not responding to what's going on (though he apparently was "tricked" into being there). Although there is not a lot of Elevators footage, I thought it was well done for what it is though somewhat unconventional. The "storyline" leaves a lot up to the viewer to fill in the gaps about what's happening.
I watched it twice - the first time I had a similar reaction to his mom, but on the second viewing I felt more compassion toward her - she obviously loves her family very deeply as is evidenced by all of her posterboards and pictures - that's quite an outpouring! I certainly wish Roky and his family all the best - and may he keep on rockin' long enough for me to cheer him on in the audience!
------------ Chris

[audiodrome]

The strangest part of this movie was seeing how mentally unstable his mother is - wow! The other thing that bothered me was watching Roky in the courtroom when he regained his custody. He looked like the type of person you might see in an institution (incessantly blinking and folding his arms while constantly licking his lips, but this could be caused by his dentures). I really wish the best for him as seems to be a genuinely nice person and after all, he is a true rock'n'roll legend and man, what a voice! :)