The Fearless Freaks

Equal parts punk and psychedelia, the Flaming Lips emerged from Oklahoma City as one of the most bracing bands of the late 1980s. The Fearless Freaks documents their rise from Butthole Surfers-imitating noisemakers to grand poobahs of orchestral pop masterpieces. Filmmaker Bradley Beesely had the good fortune of living in the same neighborhood as lead Lip Wayne Coyne, who quickly enlisted his buddy to document his band's many concerts and assorted exploits. The early footage is a riot, with tragic hair styles on proud display as the boys attempt to cover up their lack of natural talent with sheer volume. During one show, they even have a friend bring a motorcycle on stage, which is then miked for sound and revved throughout the performance, clearing the club with toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Great punk rock stuff. Interspersed among the live bits are interviews with the band's family and friends, revealing the often tragic circumstances of their childhoods and early career.

7

100 min

Cast

Wayne Coyne

as Self

Steven Drozd

as Self

Kliph Scurlock

as Self

Michael Ivins

as Self

Beck

as Self

Bradley Beesley

as Narrator

Steve Burns

as Self

Dolly Coyne

as Self

Kenny Coyne

as Self

Marty Coyne

as Self

Tommy Coyne

as Self

Jonathan Donahue

as Self

James Drozd

as Self

Gibby Haynes

as Self

Director

Bradley Beesley