The Secret History of Rock

1991: The Year Punk Broke

When you think about it, 1991 was a pretty remarkable time in music.  Nirvana released Nevermind.  Pearl Jam came out with Ten.  Soundgarden issued Badmotorfinger.  

The Red Hot Chili Peppers finally broke through with
Bloodsugarsexmagick.  Metallica’s black album.  Achtung Baby and the whole Zoo-TV concept from U2.  

The first-ever Lollapalooza tour.  See what I mean?  That’s why it’s probably good to find the reissue of a documentary called 1991:  The Year Punk Broke by filmmaker Dave Markey.  It features a lot of retro goodness:  Sonic Youth, the Ramones, Nirvana, Mudhoney and more.  

This new edition features new commentary by members of Sonic Youth along with a 42-minute bonus film called (This Is Known As) The Blue Scale.  Good stuff if you’re into that era of rock.  

The 20th anniversary release of 1991:  The Year That Punk Broke is available now.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38011 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

3 thoughts on “1991: The Year Punk Broke

  • I was so happy to see this movie rereleased. Finding a VHS of it was nigh impossible!

    Reply
  • So…..you are going to be a good professional music geek and give us a post of "stuff that music fans – books/dvds/cds/albums – need to put on their Christmas list for 2011…..right?????

    Reply

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