Punk the Capital: Building a Sound Movement (2019)

Washington DC was a center of American punk rock in the late 1970’s. Punk the Capital explores that era and gives voice to those who were part of it, celebrating musicians such as Bad Brains, Henry Rollins, Ian MacKaye and Jello Biafra.

These bands, the music they created and the influence they still exert are powerful. James June Schneider (co-director, editor), Paul Bishow (co-director) and Sam Lavine (associate producer, co-editor) have assembled a document that feels alive and vital, one that makes you want to experience this movie no matter if you’re a punk fan or have never heard this music before.

How was a punk scene created in one of the most conservative cities in the world? How did the young punks work with older hippies to get places for their shows? And how did the sound of DC from 1976 to 1983 change the world of music?

Beyond rare performances by Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Teen Idles, The Slickee Boys, Faith, The Nurses, Enzymes and Chalk Circle, more than a hundred interviews with those who lived this time were conducted.

It all comes together to be a document that music fans should seek out.

Punk the Capital will be released on Blu-ray and DVD in the US for Record Store Day on June 12 via Passion River and in the UK for Record Store Day on July 12 via Wienerworld. A portion of all DVDs and blu rays sold through Dischord Records will go to the DC based charity We Are Family.

You can learn more at the official site.