Between Resistance & Community DVD

Our first proper release is going to be a reissue of this classic "scene" documentary: This original documentary focuses on the Long Island DIY punk scene - a group of kids who have built a community around a love of music and a passion for creating an alternative to dominant consumerist society. By putting on shows in basements, booking and traveling on national tours, and releasing their own records, these kids attempt to distance themselves from the corporate influence that they consider not only unnecessary, but unwelcome. This fascinating look into the workings of a DIY punk community also examines the scene's shortcomings, such as undercurrents of sexism, problems of self sufficiency, which pressures some people to seek out the same corporate avenues to which the scene strives to be an alternative. Live footage and interviews with The Insurgent, Latterman, On the Might of Princes, Porcelain Decay, Seven Days of Samsara, Somethings Walking; Sometimes Running, plus tons of show-havers, scenesters, zinesters, and activists.

Between Resistance & Community: The Long Island DIY Punk Community from Ben Holtzman on Vimeo

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$100 & A T-Shirt

Four years in the making, the third version of this mildly exciting talkie/video features newer, cleaner, re-mastered audio, a new history section, and 50 new visual shots & pieces of archive material to break up the talking heads. Includes two brand new bonus short documentaries - "Tennessee State Prison" and "Record Playerz".

A cultural analysis of what causes zine makers to tick; what the hell zines are, why people make zines, the origin of zines, the resources and community available for zine makers, and the future of zines. Interviews with about 70 zine makers, ex-zine makers, and readers from the northwest. Featuring footage of the Portland Zine Symposium, a zine bicycle tour of Portland, and activities bringing zine culture to life. An original documentary culled from over 64 hours of footage. Best suited for people with a new interest in zines, pros, and novices. The video sparks untapped creativity and new interest into zine making and reading. Artwork by Cristy Road and music by J Church and Defiance, OH! Created by Basil Shadid, Rev. Phil Sano, Nickey Robo, and Joe Biel. 51 minutes with 47 minutes of bonus material. ISBN 0-9770557-5-2

$100 & A T-Shirt from Joe Biel on Vimeo.

Aftermass: Bicycling in a Post-Critical Mass Portland

What does it mean that Portland, one of the best North American cities for cycling, has virtually no Critical Mass? Is it no longer relevant in the evolution of cyclists or has the police crackdown just been so successful? What are the new goals of cyclists? Feature length documentary coming in 2010!

AfterMass: Bicycling in a Post-Revolutionary Portland from Joe Biel on Vimeo

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If It Ain't Cheap, It Ain't Punk: 14 years of Plan-it X Records

Over the last fourteen years, Plan-it X Records helped foster a huge cultural revolution -- uniting geographically divided DIY punk communities under one umbrella. With a united ethic and common goals, this scene has grown to a critical mass while some bands flirted with mainstream success and others choose to remain firmly rooted in the basement punk scene. This original documentary climaxes in the 2006 Festival where punks from all over the world met up in Bloomington, IN for a week of music and skillsharing. Original footage of This Bike is a Pipe Bomb, Japanther, Defiance, Ohio, Ghost Mice, One Reason, Operation: Cliff Clavin, Soophie Nun Squad, and more!


If It Ain't Cheap, It Ain't Punk: Fourteen Years of Plan-it X Records Preview Trailer from Joe Biel on Vimeo.

Buy it here --> http://www.microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/videos/2685/

X Ray Visions

An in-depth account of one of the most important cultural epicenters in Portland's history, "X-Ray Visions" tells the story of the X-Ray Cafe, an ABC NO RIO/924 Gilman-esque "Nightclub" that hosted bands like Green Day, Crash Worship, Nation of Ulysses, Neurosis, Everclear, Smegma, Poison Idea, and virtually every touring act from '89-'94. Did you ever wonder how Portland appeared on the map as THE epicenter for weird, alternative arts and culture? It was because of the X-Ray - an entirely unique all-ages venue with a true "anything goes" aesthetic--a punk band, a circus act, toddlers banging on things, language classes, 25 cent advice, and a spanking evangelist might all appear on a single bill - and its presence put Portland on the map as a radical, rock and roll kind of town. Comes with a bonus CD soundtrack of former X-Ray regular acts, including Hazel, Dead Moon, Big Daddy Meat Straw, New Bad Things, Unwound, Crackerbash, Frances Farmer Gals, and more! Tightened up editing with a new cover by Sean Tejeratchi (Craphound!)


X Ray Visions: A Look Inside Portland's Legendary X Ray Cafe from Ben Ellis on Vimeo.

Cantankerous Titles & Obscure Ephemera, Vol 1

"Martinis in the Bike Lane" (11 min) is a documentary short about the history of the decorated and unique bike lane markings in Portland, OR. Why does that one have a golf club or a book? Without giving too much away, it's an exciting issue that has been pondered by many and explained by few. See a fun and adventurous marking that Joe got to design. "Best Documentary Short" in the Mid-Valley Film Festival!


Martinis in the Bike Lane from Joe Biel on Vimeo.

“Last Train out of North America” (19 min) discusses the lack of priority and funding towards passenger rail service in North America. Interviews with passengers, employees, and train obsessives tell the story of the rails being sold to cargo train companies, why the government fired David Gunn, & how each year appears to the be the last.


Last Train Out of North America from Joe Biel on Vimeo.

“Central Kansas - Canvas Central” (11 min) is a mockumentary about the obsessive nature of people with patches as a kind of media. For years we’ve tabled at bookfairs and sold primarily patches to young, excited individuals who ignored our reading material. I set out to get the inside story from this interesting set.


Central Kansas, Canvas Central from Joe Biel on Vimeo.

“Of Dice and Men” (39 min) chronicles players of the board game RISK and their obsessive behaviors. The game affects their personalities, turning anarchists and relaxed folks into conniving, manipulative, and calculated imperialists. Parallels to the patterns and habits of the US are drawn, showing how these situations, in the real world or a game, reveal human nature.


Of Dice & Men from Joe Biel on Vimeo.

"Cowboy Hat & A Cane" (11 min) is a documentary short about America's most loved dog - Coda Bowles and her relationship with her people. Move over Lassie, this dumpster diver grew up on the mean streets of Portland after probably spending some time on a puppy farm, and was found roaming a dangerous intersection! The video focuses on Coda's history as much as it can be traced and then moves onto her daily habits and behaviors now. A fun movie for dog owners and lovers everywhere!

Do You Copy?

When Portland was cool, there was an amazing thing called Gracies - a collective without collectivizing, whose main objective was creating fun and absurdity. Besides a series of weekly brunches, Gracies produced three different movies. All of these "Somewhat Rapid Movie Projects" were created from concept to watchable film--in a very short period of time (48 to 72 hours!) Do You Copy was created in the Dirty Winter of 2002 in a spurt of fevered creativity.

At Copy Maker, Brian has been trying to get his order filled for weeks but their "special" machine keeps ruining his print job. Jason and Peter, despite gross incompetency, attempt to stall him while completing other print jobs, ignoring the weirdness of their clientele. They escape to fantasy worlds and fight mutant aliens on their hunt for the double sided transmutation crystals. Who is the bigger asshole, the boss or the customer?

Witness a great slice of Portland history, and a fun movie to boot. Featuring Joe Biel as a robot and some other zinesters scattered about.


Do You Copy? from Collaborative Forces on Vimeo.