seeking a good band-on-tour documentary

[GlennRH]

In my gigging days, I never went on tour. The most my bands ever did: travel to a nearby city, perform, then return home.

Whenever the possibility of touring came up (e.g. another local band offering to take us along in their school bus as they would travel from one festival gig to another) one or more members of my band would utterly refuse.

When I met musicians on tour (e.g. we were their local opening act), it seemed nearly universal for them to love the on-stage part only; no love for the rest of it.

I heard stories of bands going into a diner along the highway for a proper meal then returning to their van to find their gear stolen.

I've also heard of sleeping in the van, hating the scents and sounds of slumbering bandmates, and the necessity of caffeine just to drive in a straight line after sunrise.

While I appreciate such anecdotes, I have yet to come across a documentary that realistically depicts a real band experiencing real life on a real tour.

I have seen This Is Spinal Tap. Based on many real stories, it remains fiction.

Also, Iron Maiden flying their own jet from country to country does not count.

What documentary do you recommend that fairly depicts the van-drive-from-gig-to-gig life for performing musicians transitioned from local band to touring band?

 

[arbiterusa]

Spinal Tap is frankly about the most accurate touring diary ever made by anyone, in spite of it being fiction.

 

[VTbassplayer]

‘Come Worry With Us!’ from 2013 is a documentary of Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra that I’ve really enjoyed.. It’s about touring and the grind, the joys and highs, and also how it can be when you have a family.

 

[Ethan117]

I think this video shows the good and bad with a helping of weird humor.

 

[Pings Bass]

Not the genre or era you're looking for, but Thelonious Monk: Straight No Chaser (1988) is an unflinching look at Monk on tour in 1967.

 

[6Bass101]

I haven’t actually watched it yet, but it’s on my to do list.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

In my gigging days, I never went on tour. The most my bands ever did: travel to a nearby city, perform, then return home.

Whenever the possibility of touring came up (e.g. another local band offering to take us along in their school bus as they would travel from one festival gig to another) one or more members of my band would utterly refuse.

When I met musicians on tour (e.g. we were their local opening act), it seemed nearly universal for them to love the on-stage part only; no love for the rest of it.

I heard stories of bands going into a diner along the highway for a proper meal then returning to their van to find their gear stolen.

I've also heard of sleeping in the van, hating the scents and sounds of slumbering bandmates, and the necessity of caffeine just to drive in a straight line after sunrise.

While I appreciate such anecdotes, I have yet to come across a documentary that realistically depicts a real band experiencing real life on a real tour.

I have seen This Is Spinal Tap. Based on many real stories, it remains fiction.

Also, Iron Maiden flying their own jet from country to country does not count.

What documentary do you recommend that fairly depicts the van-drive-from-gig-to-gig life for performing musicians transitioned from local band to touring band?

Can’t help you with a documentary, but my experience with touring is that after awhile even the onstage performance gets old pretty quick. What trips my trigger is the preparation, learning the material, polishing the chops for optimum performance. The show?? I feel like a circus seal playing a tune on a row of squeeze horns for a fish.

 

[ebo]

I never read it all but Henry Rollins book “Get in the Van” is supposed to be a good distillation of his life with Black Flag. I was backstage on the west coast swing of their 84 tour and there wasn’t much pretty about it. 10-12 guys (and Kira) in one van and a gear truck, three bands, small allowances, crappy motels or couch surfing. I put them up at my place in Santa Cruz for a night. They were a step above zombies by that point. The shows were killer though.

 

[Carl Hillman]

I have yet to come across a documentary that realistically depicts a real band experiencing real life on a real tour.

That’s because a realistic depiction would be incredibly boring.

…unless spending ten hours crammed into a minivan to carry heavy gear into a Moose Lodge with just enough time for a bandwich before your show is entertaining.

 

[Yobnwal]

‘Dig!’ 2004

‘A documentary on the once-promising American rock bands The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols, and the friendship/rivalry between their respective founders, Anton Newcombe and Courtney Taylor.’

it is the funniest and saddest documentary ever! Watch now!

 

[Quitter]

Posted just about a year ago by @Microbass

I was enthralled by this series of tour diary posts. I felt like I was on tour with them and looking forward to every potato.

 

[burgerdj]

Everyday Sunshine - Fishbone
Tour Film - REM

 

[Jason Hollar]

Mistaken For Strangers

Although they are well past the van life stage in their careers in this doc, this was an interesting peek behind the scenes of brotherly love, disfunction, and perseverance.

 

[Neo1]

OK, it's a book instead of a video, but of all the 30-40 "band" books I have read, this one most gave me the feel for traveling with the band:
Hitless Wonder: A Life in Minor League Rock and Roll

 

[Killing Floor]

Spinal Tap is frankly about the most accurate touring diary ever made by anyone, in spite of it being fiction.

It is!
I’ve been lost in back house corridors. I’ve been totally misdirected by an A&R manager. Had a member’s girlfriend show up in studio editing and give unsolicited instructions. Had a huge gig get cancelled and been told it was no big deal. Stayed in sketchy places.
Ok, I’ve never been stuck in a veiny plastic prop!
But seriously! If you have toured in an original band it’s 100% accurate.

You could watch some goofball hype film about U2 suffering but that’s not reality. Reality is if you’re hitting the highway to play 200 gigs Spinal Tap is the documentary.

Only thing that comes close is 200 Motels.

 

[Dynacord]

Don't have a film to recommend but in terms of experiences, it so depends on the circumstances (and management/how organized). Some have been a grind but did early (for me, at least) tours in France and Italy and can think of no better way to travel and wouldn't trade those experiences for anything - doing something you (hopefully) love and people wanting to show the best parts of their area, food, etc.

 

[bobyoung53]

Not the genre or era you're looking for, but Thelonious Monk: Straight No Chaser (1988) is an unflinching look at Monk on tour in 1967.

Great doc, ever read the book about his life? Also very interesting.

 

[KidAmnesia]

I guess the last thing I'd want in that situation is a film crew also sleeping in the van.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Frank Zappa's 200 Motels is a documentary, and comes with a free Flo and Eddie in every box Also look for Keith Moon, and Ringo Starr

 

[Inverstone]

Not a film but: Mike Watt ("Minute Men"/"Firehose", etc. has some good YouTube vlogs and one of his band mates had an ongoing daily tour diary (audio only) for one tour. They're very realistic view on a bar gig (mostly) cross country tour's mixture of good and bad. Some fun stories about nice fans the band crashed at overnights, etc. Poke around on YouTube. (I'm not able to look for links right now. In a session..) Maybe someone else will see this....gotta go back to work.
Cheers.