Color Me Obsessed. 5 Questions with Gorman Bechard - Director of The Replacements Documentary

"It's fun to be one of the people who knows."

Back in October, I had the privilege of watching what I would consider one of the best music documentaries I've ever seen. Featuring over 140 interviews with friends, members of the music press and fans - obsessed fans - this is the story of one of the greatest bands, told in chronological order by the people who were there, and those that were touched by music of The Replacements.


Currently playing in various cities across the globe, Color Me Obsessed is a must-see for any fans of The Replacements, or for that matter, anyone who likes music - period. Random fans, journalists, members of bands like Husker Du, Babes in Toyland, Ramones, The Decemberists, etc. pour their hearts out - it's quite a touching testament to the power of music.

Director Gorman Bechard was kind enough to sit down for a short interview with me for Life On This Planet. Visit the Color Me Obsessed site to see when it's playing in your town. Please enjoy.

1.  Unlike other music documentaries, there are no band members ever shown, nor is there any of The Replacements' music included. I personally think the film greatly benefits by this.  Was this your intention from the start?

Yes, absolutely. I'm not a fan of music docs made after a band has broken up. They play like VH1 "Where Are They Now" specials to me. I honestly don't know of an exception. So, when this film fell into my lap, I quite literally was lying in bed one night thinking about what I could do to make it different, to make it the doc the band deserved. I realized that I didn't believe in god, but I believed in The Replacements. Other people believe in god without every seeing or hearing him. Could I make people believe in The Mats without ever seeing or hearing them. The more I thought about it, the more I became obsessed with the idea. This was a band that bucked tradition at every turn. They deserved a doc that did the same thing. And I knew I would either fall on my face, or succeed...in the Mats tradition.

2.  There are well over 100 people interviewed in the film, which I imagine was insane to coordinate.  How did you go about selecting/finding everyone... and why not include manager Peter Jesperson, or Peter Buck?

A number of great co-producers in different parts of the country arranged the interviews. We'd all brain storm names, and put together that master wish list and go after them. We'd put out a call on Facebook, contact agents, anyone we knew. Jan Radder especially, in Minneapolis, brought in around 50 interviewees, including some of the amazing fans. Plus, once people realized what we were doing, one interview lead to another, and so on.


We tried for Peter Buck. Couldn't get him. And Jesperson really was the fifth member of the band, he was almost too close. But he did help with facts and figures.

3.  After watching the film - which by the way, compliments on creating something that forced me out to a public theatre for the first time this year - I immediately ran home and listened to every single 'Mats album.  Why did you make this film, and what does this band mean to you?

I had always wanted to make a documentary, but I knew it would have to be on a subject I was insanely passionate about. The Replacements are certainly one of the great passions of my life. And I felt their story needed to be told. It's the ultimate rock n roll story. I mean, rock n roll is not about hitting your light cue on stage. That's musical theatre. And rock n roll is in such a sad state right now. Bands like Vampire Weekend and their ilk have cuts the balls off rock music with a dull butter knife. People need to know what rock was, and what it could be. And fans of bands like Nirvana, Green Day, and virtually every rock band of the last 20 year NEED to know their bands don't exist without the Mats. They were, quite simply, the band that redefined rock and ultimately that saved rock (at a time when even the punks from England had turned to synths). Are they the greatest rock band of all time? Yes. No one is even close.

4.  The film is currently making its rounds at various film festivals across the globe, when can we look for a DVD release?


Most likely in the first quarter of 2012. Expect a single DVD with some extras, then eventually a double DVD set with a boat-load of extras, including the entire Grant Hart interview.

5.  Okay, I have to ask.  Top five Replacements songs?


In no order: Here Comes A Regular, Color Me Impressed, Can't Hardly Wait, If Only You Were Lonely, Favorite Thing. Though I reserve the right to change my mind at the drop of an empty beer bottle.

Be sure to check out the Color Me Obsessed Official Site for show dates, merchandise and lots of other rad features


The Replacements Discography on Amazon

Official Trailers

Gitane DeMone. 5 Question Interview

When I thought of who would be the first person that I would interview in my latest blog series, it was immediately Gitane DeMone.  In the early years of the 80s she was a member of the short-lived Pompeii 99, followed by Christian Death and then started off the 90s with a solo career that has now evolved into The Crystelles, the band she began with her daughter Zara.

I have been friends with Gitane for over a decade, playing many shows together in our respective bands.  She is a brilliant performer with an amazing creativity and voice.  

Here's what we talked about.

1.  You recently released the first album of your band The Crystelles, what's up next?

I wrote quite a few new songs this past summer, which Zara and I are playing live now. Our bassist was too busy with college, so we are considering another instrumentalist, but pleased with our current situation, too. I imagine we'll be releasing the new collection when the time is right.

2.  Besides music, what other creative outlets do you have?

I write- a lot of it is "automatic" surreality, some of which inspires lyics, or poetry. Some of my work has been published, and I'm considering a new favorite piece, which I'm currently illustrating, to go into a bookform. Although I don't have enough time to spend as I used to, I paint. I create sculpture and art-pieces. I enjoy creating and writing things I have never seen or read. I love to experiment with everything!

3.  I've recently been doing a lot of research on the LA club scene of the early 80s.  Any memorable shows that you saw?

When I moved to L.A. in the last year of the 70's, I went out every single night (on my own- I knew no one) to see bands.  Johanna Went, the very avante-garde performance artist is unforgettable, as is Lydia Lunch, doing a show in which she nailed shoes to the wall on the side of the stage, whilst performing songs. Early 45 Grave, Diamanda Galas, Kommunity Fk, bands here for a moment & some that went on to get huge.  All the punk bands- Red Kross, Fear, Black Flag, Circle Jerks, TSOL.... but in the early 80's it was also very dangerous, punk. I was at some terrible, horrifying riots where the police just went to war on kids, bashing skulls.

4.  Being a musician, I'm fascinated by the songwriting and recording process.  What were the sessions like that created Catastrophe Ballet and Ashes?

At that time, we were very focused just on the moment of creating. We weren't particularly THINKING if these albums would be good, because we knew we could put all our creativity into them- and that is because we had the TIME. Thus we were indulgent with our love in creating, and felt free enough to try where our fancies took us.  Eric Westfall was in the band doing sound for both of these records, and he was a great influence in helping us follow through with our ideas for the music. It was absolutely thrilling to record both of these records, and we all felt that way.

5.  I've followed your music for a long time and you've written a lot of great songs - what is one song by another artist that you wish you wrote?

Thanks for the compliment, Bret. There are so many incredible songs- I'm in love with too many. Off the cuff, I'll say "Ashtray Heart" by Captain Beefheart. But that's just one song...

Thanks Gitane!

For further information, please visit Gitane's official site

http://www.gitanedemone.com

The art piece shown above is her work, entitled 'The Dead King'

Selected Discography

Christian Death - Catastrophe Ballet

Christian Death - Ashes

Rozz Williams & Gitane DeMone - Dream Home Heartache

Gitane DeMone - Stars Of Trash

The Crystelles - Attach & Detach

In 2008, a 2 DVD & 1 CD set was released called Life After Death,

featuring hours of footage of Gitane.  Check it out here on Amazon

If you're a vinyl enthusiast, check out our feature on the Spin Clean Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine (click image below)

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