The Godfathers of Hardcore

This is a great insight on the working trials and tribulations of a touring club band...Yes you get to see the gritty beginnings of a music genre that is still with Us and strong today that was started basically in the Lower East Side of Manhattan ...It is a story of the relationship of two pioneers of that "Scene"...It goes beyond the working relationship of two guys and shows the friendship that has lasted generations. Agnostic Front has lasted this long because of that bond that we get to see in this film...You do not need to be a fan of Hard Core Punk Rock to enjoy this, it goes beyond! Enjoy!

There have been many films documenting Punk Rock, Hardcore, Metal etc but none quite like The Godfathers of Hardcore. It goes beyond any "life on the road" cliches or tired band origin stories as it is far more personal and engaging. Along with its inherit NYC grit, it tells the story of 2 friends who have taken a band, Agnostic Front, from the streets in the early 1980s to one that tours the world over to thousands of die hard fans. You come away learning a lot more about Roger Miret and Vinnie Stigma and what drives them after 35 plus years of music. Without disclosing too much, you also learn about Roger Miret's harrowing and troubled childhood, as well as some issues he faces currently, that the brunt of Agnostic Front fans are likely not aware of. This aspect of the documentary really sets it apart from the pack. The documentary itself looks and sounds fantastic and is very well shot and produced. I definitely see this as a film that could appeal to music and documentary fans period, going way above the core Hardcore/Punk audience. I caught the film at its NYC premiere in 2017 and look forward to seeing it again!

Agnostic Front fans, punk fans, hell...even your parents will love this. Ian has made something truly special. Do yourself a favor and check out this incredibly well made film. Easily one of the best rock documentaries I've seen in recent years.

Ian McFarland's Godfathers of Hardcore isn't merely a great rock doc. It's the rare sort of film created by and entrenched within a genuine DiY ethos that is, at its core, a genuine human story. In it's portrait of the friendship between Cuban born Agnostic Front frontman, Roger Miret and Little Italy born-and-bred guitarist Vinnie Stigma, McFarland has exceeded every film (and there have been a number of them) to date to spring from punk's roughest underbelly: Hardcore.

First and foremost, this is a great story about Agnostic Front's two mainstays: the thoughtful and often troubled Miret and his oft comedic, heart-of gold foil, Stigma. It's a great coming-of-age story, a great New York story and a great rock film. With the notable exception of Don Letts' Joe Strummer biopic, The Future is Unwritten, it hits marks in pacing and production values that make it a singular and affecting piece of work.

It's a buddy flick told with a Taxi Driver-like grit and a snarling soundtrack that tells the story of two men who defined New York Hardcore and never let go of their values. Now, nearly four decades later, there have been successes, failures, wives, children, heartbreak and triumphs with Agnostic Front still taking stages from Boston to Bangcock and waving the flag, not just for NYHC but for their very own spirit of independence.

I'm a sucker for music documentaries and I've always been a huge fan of Agnostic Front, so of course, I was going to watch this film. But, I wasn't expecting anything more than another Hardcore film full of the history of punk and the roots of hardcore and blah blah blah. Stuff I already know. So, was I surprised when I watched "The Godfather's of Hardcore". This film is great. I love how it focus' on the personal life's of Roger Merit and Vinnie Stigma rather than the band, Agnostic Front. This film taught me things I never knew about these two punk rock legends. I highly suggest that you watch this film, you will not be disappointed. I can't recommend it enough.