Synopsis
Equal parts punk and psychedelia, the Flaming Lips emerged from Oklahoma City as one of the most bracing bands of the late 1980s. The Fearless Freaks documents their rise from Butthole Surfers-imitating noisemakers to grand poobahs of orchestral pop masterpieces. Filmmaker Bradley Beesely had the good fortune of living in the same neighborhood as lead Lip Wayne Coyne, who quickly enlisted his buddy to document his band's many concerts and assorted exploits. The early footage is a riot, with tragic hair styles on proud display as the boys attempt to cover up their lack of natural talent with sheer volume. During one show, they even have a friend bring a motorcycle on stage, which is then miked for sound and revved throughout the performance, clearing the club with toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Great punk rock stuff. Interspersed among the live bits are interviews with the band's family and friends, revealing the often tragic circumstances of their childhoods and early career.
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Cast
- Wayne CoyneSelf
- Steven DrozdSelf
- Kliph ScurlockSelf
- Michael IvinsSelf
- BeckSelf
- Bradley BeesleyNarrator
- Steve BurnsSelf
- Dolly CoyneSelf
- Kenny CoyneSelf
- Marty CoyneSelf
Recommendations
- 89
Austin Chronicle
Provides that rarest of documentary accomplishments: a glimpse into the artists' sunny, dark hearts. - 88
Boston Globe
An uncommonly intimate portrait, in large part because the filmmaker, Bradley Beesley, is a longtime neighbor, friend, and collaborator. - 88
New York Post
It could turn someone who never heard of the Flaming Lips into a devoted fan. - 80
Village Voice
An all-access fan's valentine as artfully scrappy and likably wide-eyed as its subjects. - 80
The A.V. Club
In the wonderful new rockumentary The Fearless Freaks, Flaming Lips fans describe the band's live performances in almost spiritual terms, and for once, their fervor seems wholly justified. - 80
The New York Times
Mr. Beesley, an Oklahoma City native who has been following and filming the Flaming Lips for 15 years, is far too close to his subject to offer a critical perspective, but he achieves a level of intimacy with the band members that most rock documentary directors can only dream of. - 67
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Ripe with offbeat Americana, Beesley's rockumentary is also a portrait of growing up in a white-trash Okie ghetto. - 60
Variety
Will please devotees without attracting many, if any, new converts.
