WINO: The Documentary
I’ve been catching up on some of this years releases and features, and wanted to share this one with ya’ll. WINO: The Documentary was released back on May 13th coinciding with a festival premiere at the Maryland International Film Festival. Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich is one of the most influential artists in the underground heavy music world. If there was a Mt. Rushmore of the scene, Wino would be on it. He’s certainly one of my favorites, and when he released his fabulous ‘acoustic’ album Forever Gone on Ripple Music in 2020, ( https://americanahighways.org/2020/06/24/review-scott-wino-weinrich-strips-away-the-doom-and-bridges-genres-on-forever-gone/ ) I was thrilled I was able to review the album as well as spend some time interviewing Wino as well. ( https://americanahighways.org/2020/07/08/scott-wino-weinrich-discusses-his-new-acoustic-album-forever-gone-its-sort-of-a-dark-story-that-doesnt-really-end-positively-you-know ) It was cool to share an artist many in the Americana world may have never heard before. So when the documentary showed up in my email last month, I was stoked. Except, I also had to find time to actually watch it. I’m happy to report, I finally did.
I think I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ve found I really struggle with livestreams keeping my interest. At least for me, I miss the energy and atmosphere of actually attending a live show, and I just don’t get that by just watching a livestream. Honestly, I guess I’m a tad envious of people that are able to really capitalize on the experience. Sadly, I also have a hard time keeping focused on music documentaries. A lot of times, I’ll just put one on, and half pay attention as I take care of the laundry or clean the kitchen. I’ll sit and watch a bit, move on to another task and repeat. It’s not that I dislike documentaries in general, I really don’t. It’s just that I usually already know a lot of the stories and tales and have seen a good amount of the footage used in them. I read a lot of music bios. Seriously, a crazy amount of them, across every genre you could imagine. So usually, If I see a documentary on a musician or band, especially one I really dig, I feel like already know a lot of what they’re going to cover.
So I was pretty stoked when I saw there was a documentary forthcoming on Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich. Regrettably, there are not a lot of underground heavy music biographies, much less documentaries going on out here. To learn about some of those icons and figureheads of those scenes you pretty much have to deep-dive into a pretty limited pool of resources. It’s out there, but it can be hard to find. An online search will turn up a few interviews and videos here and maybe an article in one of heavy music ‘zines. Otherwise, it’s a word of mouth endeavor. So yeah, I was pretty stoked to see this one.
Weinrich, or just ‘Wino’ as he’s affectionately known, is unquestionably an icon and figurehead of the underground heavy music scene. He’s also been one of the most prolific songwriters I can think of. Wino’s not one to rest on his laurels, and likes to stay busy, and the list of bands he’s founded or been a part of is downright staggering. My personal favorites are The Obsessed and Spirit Caravan, but there’s also, Saint Vitus, The Hidden Hand, Shrinebuilder, Premonition 13, Place of Skulls, and don’t forget that collaboration with Dave Grohl and Probot or Bullring Brummies with Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Rob Halford. Nobody crafts a riff like Wino. Nobody. So, if there ever needed to be a documentary done, this one on the Godfather of Doom was certainly a good place to start.
Created and directed by Sharlee Patches of New Terms Productions, WINO: The Documentary tells Wino’s tale by diving into the outlaw life, epic career, and enduring influence of Wino told in his own words, as well as the words of his contemporaries and those he’s influenced in this honest, raw, and often hilarious depiction of the man and his music. Woven together with heavier-than-hell archival live performances from his many legendary bands, the story is structured by the truth and told in his own words, through interviews, road trips, tours, intimate behind the scenes, and the quest to pick up his 1964 Harley Davidson panhead chopper, Mr. Nasty. The movie features a cast of some of my favorite purveyors of heavy music including, Bobby Liebling (Pentagram), Dixie Dave Collins (Weedeater), Jimmy Bower (Down, Eyehategod), Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Phil Anselmo (Pantera, Down), Pepper Keenan (Corrosion of Conformity), Henry Rollins (Black Flag), and more. You can watch the film’s trailer right here:
I really enjoyed the film, and actually felt like I learned a lot more about the man rather than just about the myth of the man. I think that’s a credit to Sharlee Patches’ vision and determination. She did a damn good job pulling everything together in a film that’s undeniably, Wino. It’s a raw, unfiltered, brutally truthful and unapologetic. Just like Wino. Most importantly, the film tells an untold story that needed to be told. I’ll look forward to what Sharlee works on next.
Wino is currently out on tour with The Obsessed which features Brian Costantino (drums), Chris Angleberger (bass) and Jason Taylor (guitar) tearing across Canada at the moment I believe. Don’t miss a chance to see them, and also keep your eyes out for a new album soon as I hear those masters have been turned in, and sound amazing.
Keep up to date with Wino and The Obsessed here: https://www.new-terms.com/
Purchase your own copy or stream Wino: The Documentary here: https://www.wino-art.com/product/wino-the-documentary-dvd
Hard to believe we’re already into July. I’ve had a busy year and have had to step back somewhat primarily in album reviews, but also covering live shows. I’m still finding a lot of good music out there and my email box stays full with that and more. My focus has had to be elsewhere, and likely will continue to be that way for awhile, but I’ve got a few things on the horizon. This week I’ll be headed out to WoodyFest in Okemah, OK so keep an eye out for that on the main page next week, and later in the month I’m hoping to cover the incredible Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives when they visit the Auditorium at the Douglas here in Oklahoma City.
Be well.