Pavements

A kaleidoscope of truth versus fiction brings you the (mostly) true story about one of the most influential US indie bands of the 90s.

An irreverent multi-portrait of 90s indie rock band Pavement. Eschewing the traditional trappings of the music documentary, the film blurs fiction and nonfiction as it recounts the band's history through a fake off-Broadway stage musical (Slanted! Enchanted!), bio film (Range Life) and exhibition (Pavement's 33-22). Interspersed throughout are interviews and bemused recollections from the band as they recount their brushes with chart domination and their place in music history.

Curator's note
At one stage during Alex Ross Perry's playful documentary hybrid, comedian Tim Heidecker describes Pavement as "For kids who thought everything was stupid and everything sucked, they were your band." An apt description for a band that skirted around the edges of fame. The meta-approach Perry takes here knowingly upends the band's own casual attitude towards fame as he refers to them as the world's most important and influential band. Standing out during the 90s grunge period with their ironic detachment and lack of pretence, Pavement went on to inspire a generation of indie bands and musicians. Breaking into the mainstream briefly with their chart hit 'Cut Your Hair', the band's almost-famous status was cemented when follow-up albums didn't follow through on that promise. It's only now that albums such as Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, Wowee Zowee and Brighten the Corners are enjoying their status as classics.