Getting Hardcore in DC with Documentary

Getting Hardcore in DC: A documentary film, Punk the Capital: Building a Sound Movement, explores the birth of punk rock in Washington D.C. between 1976 and 1983. The film was created by James June Schneider (co-director, editor), Paul Bishow (co-director), and Sam Lavine (associate producer, co-editor), and it’s been out on the festival circuit.

This week, it’s being screened in L.A. on Thursday and Friday. For the first night, Pete Stahl of the band Scream will take part in a Q&A, while Friday will see Hudley Flipside of Flipside fanzine present.

The DVD and Blu-ray of the film, which features Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Void, Rites of Spring, and more, plus interviews from Henry Rollins, Ian MacKaye, H.R., Jello Biafra, Joe Keithley, and many others, will be available for Record Store Day in June.

“We were touring the film like a band would until the pandemic hit,” said Schneider in a statement. “Now as things open back up, we’re glad to kick off the theatrical release for a variety of reasons. Some of the cinemas where Punk the Capital will be showing, I screened my films back in 1997 when filmmaker Martha Colburn and I hit the road together. I’ve been thinking about them as we piece this together. Before we release the film on DVD/Blu-ray we wanted to undertake a big push with a theatrical release, part virtual, part in person, that I hope will do its part in getting some of these struggling indie cinemas some much-needed support. And we also are looking forward to sharing the film in these times since it’s an optimistic film essentially about building something new and constructive despite the odds.”

Getting Hardcore in DC: See the film at 8 p.m. PT on Thursday, May 13 at Cinelounge Drive-In, Hollywood; then at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, May 14 at Cinelounge Hollywood. Details at punkthecapital.info.