You Weren't There
A History of Chicago Punk 1977-84

Catalog No.: FTF-003
Label: Factory 25
Release date: October 27, 2009
Directors: Joe Losurdo and Christina Tillman
Length: 130 minutes
Year: 2009

You Weren't There Standard DVD $24.95 $20.00
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You Weren't There LTD LP/DVD Edition $34.98 $30.00
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You Weren't There Digital Download: $8.00
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Tech Details: English, Color/Black and White, 16mm/HD, 1.78:1 Widescreen, Dolby Digital, NR, NTSC

Special Features:
Deleted Scenes and rare performances by Articles of Faith, Mentally Ill, Negative Element, Tutu and the Pirates, Jeff Pezzati, Rights of the Accused and Steve Bjorklund

Limited Edition will include:
A 20 track LP on vinyl of rarities from Chicago’s finest.
A double sided newsprint poster
More details soon…
Factory 25 is also teaming up with Regressive to release a series of classic Chicago Punk Albums. More details coming soon.

 

Limited Edition LP Tracklist

1. Tutu & The Pirates “Wham Bam Son Of Sam” (1977)
2. Mentally Ill “Gacy’s Place” (1978/79)
3. Buzzards “Who Are The Boys?” (1979)
4. The Way-Outs “Surf Combat” (1980)
5. Painterband “Reactor” (1980)
6. Strike Under “Elephant’s Graveyard” (1981)
7. Da “Dark Rooms” (1981)
8. Subverts “Eyesore” (1981)
9. Toothpaste “Spy Guy” (1982)
10. End Result “They Love War” (1981)
11. Naked Raygun “Tojo” demo (1982)
12. Trial By Fire “Rocks Of Sweden” (1982)
13. Articles Of Faith “I Got Mine” (1983)
14. Negative Element “Anti-Pac Man” (1983)
15. Verboten “Slump Shot” (1982)
16. Rights Of The Accused “Fuckup” (1983)
17. Savage Beliefs “Big Big Sky” (1983)
18. Nadsat Rebel “Bounty” (1983)
19. Seismic Waves “Lipsynch To The Go-Go’s” (1984)

 

Synopsis

You Weren't There – A History Of Chicago Punk 1977-1984 looks back on the impact that the Punk movement had on the Windy City. Though overlooked in the annals of Rock history when compared to media-centric Los Angeles, New York, and London, Chicago served as an important early supporter of this burgeoning and controversial scene.

From what is now considered to be the first Punk dance club in America (La Mere Vipere), to proto-hardcore clubs (Oz, O'Banions), and All Ages DIY scene (Centro-Am Hall), Chicagoans made sure that there were outlets for the genre that was often blacklisted by the mainstream local live music scene. This small, but dedicated scene had to endure harassment from the Police, City Hall, Neo-Nazis, and even the audience, as well as making uneasy alliances with the ever-present Chicago criminal underworld. It was a scene that could be violent and unsavory at times,but always tempered with large doses of humor, art, and intelligence.

You Weren't There talks to the DJ's, musicians, promoters, artists, and fans who were pivotal in creating the Chicago Punk scene. The film also features classic archival footage of such great Chicago bands as Naked Raygun, the Effigies, Strike Under, Big Black, Articles Of Faith as well as lesser known greats Silver Abuse, the Mentally Ill, the Subverts, Negative Element, and many more. This is a rare glimpse into a truly one-of-a-kind American underground music scene.

Featuring: Naked Raygun, the Effigies, Strike Under, Big Black, Articles Of Faith, Silver Abuse, Mentally Ill, Subverts, Negative Element, Tutu & the Pirates, DA, Rights of the Accused, Savage Beliefs, End Result and more

 

Press

"Truely great documentaries not only evoke a period but resurrect them wholesale. That's the case with You Weren't There - A History of Chicago Punk 1977-84, a bloodspattered valentine directed by Joe Losurdo and Christina Tillman."
- Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune

"A smart and well-crafted look at the Second City’s punk scene from its birth until the Orwellian year of 1984."
- Jerry Connolly, Big Takeover

"A much needed and well-made documentary...pointed at a forgotten time in an important musical age."
- Luc Rodgers, Your Flesh

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Untitled Document

You Weren't There
A History of Chicago Punk 1977-84

Video: Trailer
Catalog No.: FTF-003
Director: Joe Losurdo and Christina Tillman
Release date: October 27, 2009

"A much needed and well-made documentary...pointed at a forgotten time in an important musical age."
- Luc Rodgers, Your Flesh

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Band: Subverts
Song: TV Personality
Album: Independent Study E.P.
Year: 1981
Label: Clandestine
Format: 7"
Ref: You Weren't There: A History of Chicago Punk 1977-84

Note: Subverts were one of the best and too often overlooked punk bands from Chicago...This 7" is a must for all punk collectors.