Pick It Up! – Ska In The 90’s
Directed by Taylor Morden
Review by Sarah Kidd.
When a documentary is made with love, an actual tangible, dedicated passion for the topic about which it speaks, something truly quite special is created.
Director Taylor Morden lives and breathes ska music; or more specifically American third wave ska, which is what makes this endearing documentary so unique. Morden’s documentary is certainly not the first to focus on the genre of ska, however those that have come before it have usually focussed on either the originators of the genre, or more specifically the two-tone movement in England which cultivated an entire lifestyle that still stands strong to this day.
Of course, Morden – an accomplished trumpet player who himself was a member of 007, The Pie Tasters and several other ska bands – would be remiss not to acknowledge these roots of the very music he holds so dear; Pick It Up! employing several outstanding animated sequences courtesy of Sarah Schmidt and narrated by none other than Tim Armstrong from Rancid to tell the story of the origins of ska.
Not only are these parts of the documentary rather charming, but they are informative; a rundown of the origins of ska from its birthplace of syncopated rhythm in 1950’s Jamaica right through to the era of sound systems, the emergence of rude boys and the migration of the Jamaican people to England, illustrating how ska not only began to make its way across the world but how it evolved into several off-shoots.
Employing a large list of musicians – some such as Travis Barker from Blink 182 and Tom Dumont of No Doubt more recognisable than most depending on where your musical tastes lie – Pick It Up! moves through the beginnings of the third wave of ska, examining many of the bands who for years were part of an underground community, where family and music came well before the dream of actually making a living.
Following the movement as it slowly emerged into the mainstream during the mid 90’s, there are some uplifting moments where members of bands such as The Aquabats, Goldfinger and Reel Big Fish speak of the joy of watching groups like No Doubt – who had been slogging away on the local circuit for the past eight or nine years – and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones finally break through and achieve big label success. Again, this speaks to the unbreakable bond of the community that many of these bands shared, where racial harmony was the norm and success celebrated; tall poppy syndrome nowhere to be found.
Which may be in part to a secondary underlying thread that weaves its way throughout the fabric of this production; that the third wave ska era was a haven; a home; it was a place for the weird kids, the whacky school band members who were never seen as cool, to congregate and create. The music itself was upbeat and fun, a colourful explosion of energy that you couldn’t help but shuffle your feet to while nodding the head, full blown skanking only moments away.
Having used Kickstarter to fund the project, director Taylor Morden was blown away when his campaign received almost three times the amount it was asking for, the interest in the scene obviously one that still thrives even if it no longer dominates the airwaves and magazine covers.
Positively brimming with interviews from band members of acts such as The Specials, Operation Ivy, Less Than Jake, Hepcat, Mad Caddies, The Slackers, Save Ferris as well as dozens of others, the documentary is not only an exploration of third wave ska itself but the dynamics that became its very foundations. Authenticity is never at question, thanks to the narrative not only being told but directed by the very same people who lived it themselves.
As far as music doco’s go, Pick It Up! is one of the best; amusing, genuine and with a creative element that ensures it is not just another ninety minutes of mediocre talking heads. You don’t even have to be a fan of ska to appreciate its quality. But you may just leave as one…
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