Watch Scenesters: Music, Mayhem & Melrose Ave. 1985-1990

Scenesters: Music, Mayhem & Melrose Ave. 1985-1990 is a documentary film from 2017 that offers a captivating glimpse into the rock and punk scenes of 80s and 90s Los Angeles. The film is directed by Desi Benjamin and Mark and Dave MacInnis and features interviews with key figures of the era, including Bernie Bernstein, Iris Berry, Don Bolles, and a host of other prominent scenesters.

Bernie Bernstein is at the heart of the film, both as a narrator and a central figure in the story. As a true Melrose Avenue insider, Bernstein guides the viewer through the vibrant music scene of the time, introducing band after band and recounting the wild stories that made the area so famous.

The film provides an intimate look at the eclectic cast of characters that made up the Melrose Avenue scene, from the punk rockers to the art punks to the new wave artists, and everything in between. It's a fascinating time capsule of a place and a movement that has become iconic in the history of American rock and roll.

One of the most exciting elements of Scenesters is the focus on the music itself. The film features live performances by legendary bands such as Redd Kross and the Circle Jerks, as well as rare footage of emerging acts like Jane's Addiction and Guns N' Roses. The filmmakers also take us into the iconic clubs of the era, such as Club Lingerie and The Roxy, where these bands played some of their most unforgettable shows.

But Scenesters is much more than just a celebration of the music. The film digs deep into the social and cultural contexts of the time, exploring the complex relationships between the artists, the fans, and the media. Through interviews with cultural luminaries like Richard Blade and Henry Rollins, we gain insights into the various power dynamics at play within the scene.

The film also touches on darker themes, such as the toll that drugs and violence took on the community. Throughout the film, we see how the Melrose Avenue scene evolved and changed over time, as new bands emerged and new venues opened up. But we also witness the tragic decline of some of the scene's central figures, as the excesses of the era began to catch up with them.

Overall, Scenesters: Music, Mayhem & Melrose Ave. 1985-1990 is a riveting journey into the heart of one of rock and roll's most dynamic and influential eras. It's a film that captures both the excitement and the danger of the scene, as well as the incredible creativity and talent of the musicians who were a part of it. For anyone who loves music or is fascinated by the social and cultural history of Los Angeles and America, this is a must-see film.

Scenesters: Music, Mayhem & Melrose Ave. 1985-1990 is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.