How does someone transition from being anti-authority to an authority figure? “You just have to be a total hypocrite,” said Jim Lindberg, former front man of California punk band Pennywise and focal point of the new documentary “The Other F Word.” “Unfortunately, that’s part of being a father.”
“The Other F Word,” which screens for one week at the E Street Cinema starting Friday, addresses the changing lives and attitudes of men who came of age in punk bands that espoused anti-authoritarian values, but who are now fathers with families.
| If you go |
| ‘The Other F Word’ |
| Where: E Street Cinemas |
| When: Starting Friday, check website for showtimes |
| Info: $11 general admission; landmarktheatres.com |
| Check out Kelly Jane Torrance’s review of “The Other F Word” for more details on the film. |
Filmmaker Andrea Nevins was given a copy of Lindberg’s 2007 book “Punk Rock Dad: No Rules, Just Real Life.” Coming at a time in which she had taken a break from work to raise a family, Nevins was immediately moved to make a film tackling Lindberg and his peers.
“I found this idea of how do you stay authentic if your ethos really believes in authenticity, how do you continue to make that part of how you be in a world on a daily basis?” Nevins said. “I found it interesting to watch them struggle with it.”
Lindberg is the focus of the film, chronicling his struggles balancing the responsibilities of being the lead singer of a touring rock band with that of fatherhood.
Other musicians featured include Art Alexakis of Everclear, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus, Rancid’s Lars Frederiksen, Fat Mike of NOFX, Tim McIlrath of Rise Against and Black Flag’s Ron Reyes, among many more.
Nevins was not a huge punk fan prior to the making the movie, which leans on West Coast, suburban bands.
“I stuck my toe in it,” Nevins said. “As soon as I did that, I dove and swam. I found it so incredibly interesting. It was a place I hadn’t had an opportunity to go before. Once I was in it, I was completely in love. I really came to appreciate it.”
Lindberg had been approached earlier about doing a reality show based on his book, but didn’t want to go down that path. He was also hesitant with letting outsiders explore the two things he holds most dear – family and music.
“It was a little worrisome,” Lindberg said. “When I saw the first cut, I knew they had something really great.”
“I was surprised at how raw the film was,” he added. “I thought it was going to be a little more light hearted, but I’m glad it ended up coming out the way it did.”
So how does someone who sings about the “rage of a new generation” raise the next generation?
“I think it’s about finding the balance for yourself and your family,” Lindberg said. “And also being completely honest. That’s one thing I’ve tried to be in every situation. Just tell the truth, and usually you can avoid problems that way. It’s not always easy. I think I’ve gotten better at it over the years.”
