On Jan. 31, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release Gimmie Danger. The Jim Jarmusch film follows iconic punk rock band The Stooges through their rise, fall and reincarnation. A feature length documentary, this work features live performance footage from the ‘70s through present. Additionally, extensive interviews with band members – including a large amount of time with Iggy Pop himself – shed light on the dicey inside story of these music pioneers.
Audiences of Gimmie Danger are immediately struck by one thing – the sheer honesty of the story telling. This film is without contrived luster or obscured ugliness. However, each interview manages to lack bravado that often accompanies stories of rock mayhem. The Stooges come across as accepting of whom they are and what their story entails, without asking to be seen as heroes.
“I don’t want to belong to the glam people. I don’t want to belong to the hip-hop people. I don’t want to belong to any of it. I don’t want to belong to the TV people, alternative people, none of it. I don’t want to be a punk. I just want to be.” –Iggy Pop
Lasting power of The Stooges
Gimmie Danger opens with Iggy discussing the entertainment he grew up with and how it influenced him. This presents an interesting counterpoint – when audiences think of The Stooges and their over the top antics, I Love Lucy and Howdy Doody do not generally come to mind next. From here, this documentary takes viewers step by step through the band’s career.
The film presents a fascinating window into this legendary group. Among the insights featured here are looks into the band's relationship with MC5, Nico and David Bowie. Iggy does not seem to shy away from giving credit where it is due, while also explaining the downsides to each relationship. It is refreshing to see a marked lack of slanderous talk. Despite issues among the band members, or outside players, there is an even keeled sense to the dialogue here.
Gimme Danger goes on to detail the band's journey right up up to present day. Toward the end, viewers see footage of The Stooges reunion at Coachella in 2003. It is clear that despite years of ups and downs, drugs and disappointment, Iggy still has the performance energy of his 22-year old “I Wanna Be Your Dog” self.
Fans everywhere recognize The Stooges as an interesting rock phenomenon. The general public did not see value in the band’s music during their peak in the mid ‘70s. However, their work is now credited with kicking off a new generation of punk rock. Fans of The Stooges and general rock history enthusiasts alike will enjoy Gimmie Danger for its insider perspective on the early years of punk. This unabashed, blunt documentary is definitely worth the watch.