The House Of The Rising Punk is a documentary film made by director Christoph Dreher. The film was originally released for television in 1998 and stars amongst others Lenny Kaye, Patti Smith, Richard Hell and Tom Verlaine who were all major names on the New York music scene of the mid-seventies and all of whom would go onto major success during the punk movement of the late seventies and beyond.
'As the title implies this highly informative DVD paints a thoroughly entertaining portrait which, during the earlier part of the film, is essentially the inside story of the Animals before
covering the emergence of Eric Burdon the frontan and solo artist first with the New Animals and then later via his association with War and latterly ( at the date of the film's production in 1991 ) his
patnership with Brian Auger. As a subject Burdon is never less than hugely engaging thanks to his ability to draw freely on his bank of colourful reminiscences whether it's relating tales of on the road madness on their maiden UK tour with Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and tour manager Peter Grant, a fascinating first encounter with Nina Simone, Mike Jeffrries' notorious double dealing with the band's finances, anecdotes about working with Mickie Most and his friendship
with Jimi Hendrix.
'In addition to Burdon himself the film also includes interviews with Chas Chandler, Hilton Valentine, John Steel, Brian Auger and surprise Animals aficionado Sammy Hagar mixed in with footage of both the Animals and the New Animals however, as previously stated, the real highlights are Burdon's remembrances of how it was back in the day.' Grahame Bent (Record Collector)
The film also includes an appearance by celebrated American film director Jim Jarmusch.
The film has achieved cult status amongst fans of the New York music scene and as such will find a ready audience in its release on DVD.
