Even the most knowledgeable punk rock historians would be hard-pressed to expound on the unforgettable music created by a trio of African-American brothers from Detroit who dared to name their proto punk band “Death” back in the early ‘70s.
Documentarians Christopher Covino and Jeff Howlett bring to life an essential, but overlooked, chapter in punk’s vibrant history that inevitably leads to Michigan — home to such punk progenitors as Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, and the MC5.
The sons of a Baptist minister, David, Bobby, and Dennis Hackney grew up close. Dennis took up the drums while Bobby played bass, and the eldest, David, set out to meld Pete Townsend’s rhythm guitar skill with the lead plying of Jimi Hendrix.
The death of their father was a catalyst for David to change the name and direction of the band — formerly “Rock Fire Funk Express” — to “Death.”
Songs with titles like “Politicians in My Eyes” and “Keep on Knocking” led to a self-released single. But when commercial success came knocking — in the guise of an offer from Arista Records’ producer Clive Davis — David spoke for the band when he refused Clive’s only demand — that the band change their incendiary name.
Buoyed by heartfelt interviews with surviving brothers Bobby and Dennis — who went on to form a reggae band called Lambsbread after their brother’s death — this concise documentary takes a surprising turn toward a rediscovery of “Death” as a lasting influence in today’s music scene.
As much a think piece on America’s faded glory as a musical history lesson and character study, “A Band Called Death” is yet one more example of the power of documentaries to surpass Hollywood’s incessant stream of processed pap.
Not Rated. 98 mins.
