SXSW Film

The Other F Word

"Ass, farts, feet, and a hint of balls," reveals Jim Lindberg of the smell of the Pennywise tour bus that keeps the middle-aged singer from the sweet scent of bubble gum and Barbie dolls that presumably fills the home he provides for his family. This conundrum is echoed by a who's who of West Coast punk, including Everclear's Art Alexakis, pro skater Tony Hawk, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea, Blink-182's Mark Hoppus, et al. Despite their counterculture cred, these fellas did well for themselves; no one is worrying where his next tattoo is coming from. So you'll forgive the eye rolls of feminists who wonder why the fuss over a group of fourth-adolescence men simply living up to the duties of parenthood (the same femmes who might notice the conspicuous absence of the wives and moms herein)? The internal angst of dudes choosing between love and manufactured rebellion sometimes rings hollow. And considering the pedigree and emotional heft of the shorter-seen interviews (Flea, Alexakis, original Black Flagger Ron Reyes, and Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh), it's shocking that Pennywise dominates. It is kind of fun, though, watching old punks rage against the system of ... nose-hair trimmers, gray hair dye, and hats to hide receding hairlines.

Thursday, March 17, 4:30pm, Vimeo