Cosmic Psychos - Blokes You Can Trust

Cosmic Psychos - Blokes You Can Trust
Distributed by: Umbrella Entertainment
Released on: Dec. 4th, 2013
Dir. by: Matt Weston
Starring: Ross Knight, Bill Walsh, Butch Vig
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The Movie:

Australia's drunk boys Cosmic Psychos are one of those bands I've always regretted not getting into sooner. This feature-length documentary doesn't help ease my regret but it does manage to provide some great details into what I missed and, thankfully, what they're up to now.

Focusing primarily on founding- (and last-original) member Ross Knight this docu takes its name from one of their bigger albums. As way of introduction it starts off with a number of testimonials from the likes of producer Butch Vig as well as the likes of Eddie Vedder and members of Mudhoney, the Melvins and Donita Sparks of L7. The story then moves to present-day Ross Knight, on his farm in Australia, as he's preparing for a divorce settlement and isn't sure if he's going to get to keep the place. Establishing his character as an everyday dude, the film quickly lets Ross' winning personality take center stage - and then it firmly camps out with that through the majority of the rest of the film. Normally, that might diminish a story's impact but Ross has a spirit as big as his homeland and it serves the structure of the film well.

Through basic one-shot interviews Ross and the other surviving original band members get to tell the story of how they came to be. Meeting as young lads, having little to no clue how to play or be in a band they go through a couple iterations and other members before settling on the name Cosmic Psychos and what would become their main lineup. Then come the tales of their swift rise in popularity, overseas tours, brutal national tours and the inevitable uber-drunken shenanigans that ensued. Hard-partying Aussies, they found a strong acceptance and became a big source of inspiration for the local scene in Seattle - hence the accolades and stories from bands such as The Melvins, L7 and Mudhoney. Eddie Vedder provides some screen time for these anecdotes as well, even producing his own butt-quarter he got thanks to the Psychos. He even demonstrates the proper technique for pinching it in one's ass and dropping it successfully into a pint glass (which shatters, btw).

The story diverges a bit after this point, spending some time detailing Ross' strong but a little weird relationship with NYC leather queen Whitney Ward. Here, though, it's just more color for an already extremely colorful character but not really about the band. It's an interesting story but feels out of place in the context of a “band film.” But that out-of-context sense is aided by the what I feel are strange “recreations” of stories using old-school-looking animation bits littered throughout. It's a little jarring and takes some getting used to but does mix up the straightforward narrative style at least.

What follows, then, are more stories about the band's success and eventual petering out. Members leave, being quit or fired, but new, fun members join the party and are still with the band to this day. Ross reflects that they just probably had more fun doing all this than anyone else and based on the show excerpts, photos, and stories told he might be right. Toward the end of the film they move to more of a sad note, detailing the overdose death of long-time guitarist Robbie “Rocketman” Watts. This section has strong emotional resonance for the band members and Ross in particular and they don't dwell on it too long, mostly it would seem out of deep respect for Watts and his family.

So, after that low point, the film ends on a bit of an up note. It dives a little more into Ross' powerlifting career (he holds records now in the 50-55 age bracket), his relationship with his kids (especially his quadriplegic son with cerebral palsy), and the band's rare but newer albums and shows. Closing titles note that Ross was able to keep his farm as part of the divorce settlement and it seems a fitting bit of news for this larger-than-life, fun character that - by the film's end - you feel like you know pretty well. Or, to put it in the film's terms, like a bloke you can trust.

Video/Audio/Extras:

This DVD is presented in 1.77:1 (16:9) widescreen which is just fine given that much of the film is just talking persons and crappy-quality VHS bits of footage. But given the sound & style of a band like the Cosmic Psychos it actually kinda works. Audio is served up by a very beefy Dolby Digital 5.1 track that uses the back channels quite nicely and really blasts the songs on the soundtrack appropriately loudly. My review copy didn't come with any extras beyond a chapters menu but the release will come with several more (listed on Umbrella Entertainment's site here).

The Final Word:

Cosmic Psychos - Blokes You Can Trust does that unique thing of getting into the personality of lead singer & bassist Ross Knight in such a way as to prove the band's endearing, lasting quality. You might even be drinking endless beers and speaking Australian by the end if you're not careful. I recommend not being careful and enjoying this great view of an awesome band.