Bill Perrine - It's Gonna Blow!!! San Diego's Music Underground 1986-1996

Bill Perrine - It’s Gonna Blow!!! San Diego's Music Underground 1986-1996 is a 2014 rock-and-roll documentary film that celebrates the lost gems in the compelling world of grunge music in the late 20th century. The film dives deep into the rich, often overlooked history of the underground music scene in San Diego. The 80-minute documentary is directed by award-winning filmmaker Bill Perrine and features significant underground music authorities like George Anthony, Milo Aukerman, and Brendan Canty.

The film offers an authentic representation of the alternative music landscape in America between 1986-1996 through the specific viewpoint of San Diego, a city located in southern California long-standing for its vibrant yet overlooked music culture. Dotted with interviews, behind-the-scenes accounts, and live concert footages, this documentary provides the audience an intimate, comprehensive glimpse into the heart of this influential music revolution.

Bill Perrine's film is an insightful exploration of the counterculture revolution in music that the city bore witness to, giving voice to the obscure, lesser-known bands that had a significant influence in shaping the future of punk rock and grunge movement in the late '80s and early '90s. The documentary features heart-to-heart interviews with music veterans like Milo Aukerman of Descendents, Justin Pearson of Three One G Records, Georg Anthony who formerly fronted for Battalion of Saints, and Brendan Canty, the renowned drummer for the influential American punk band, 'Fugazi'.

It’s Gonna Blow!!! is an irresistible treat for music enthusiasts who seek to explore music history beyond mainstream influence. The film is full of retrospective conversations deeply rooted in the humanity of musicians. It showcases the talent of those who rebelled against mainstream music norms, and chose to remain true to their creative instincts - making their own music, their way, despite the industrial challenges of the corporate music world.

Drawing on a treasure trove of archival material, the film provides an in-depth examination of the city's decade-long cultural emergence. It unveils the stories of iconic local bands such as 'Rocket From the Crypt', 'Drive Like Jehu', 'Trumans Water' and 'the Locust', showing how they were instrumental in breaking musical barriers and setting the stage for a new, influential sound that would eventually reach mainstream success. Interspersed with enthralling live performances, Perrine is able to encapsulate the raw energy and passion that underscored this music era.

The film also explores the recurrent theme of discontentment, portraying how the music scene struggled with the concept of selling out. It examines the integrity crisis experienced by many underground musicians when they found themselves thrust into mainstream popularity - a recurring pattern that was observed as the underground music scene became more palatable to the majority.

Moreover, besides the compelling narrative that delves into the world of the music capital's underground acts, Bill Perrine - It’s Gonna Blow!!! also serves to map out a certain history on the cultural aspects of San Diego. As the title suggests, there was an explosive shift in the music and cultural landscape during this decade, powered by the burgeoning underground music scene, the rise of independent record labels, and DIY ethos.

The film decision to highlight San Diego, an often overlooked stage for diverse genres, is also a conscious choice. The underground music scene in San Diego remained an untold story in the wave of the global grunge revolution in the late 20th century, and this documentary is a huge step in giving it the recognition it deserves.

In conclusion, Bill Perrine - It's Gonna Blow!!! San Diego's Music Underground 1986-1996 is a must-watch for music and history buffs who are interested in reliving the golden age of grunge and punk rock. Not only does it portray the vibrant energy of the underground music scene with all its rawness and unaffected honesty, but it also critically engages with the inner workings of the music industry and offers a unique perspective on a decade that defined the sound of a generation.