“Scenes” have lifecycles. Not all scenes have all the steps of the lifecycle, but the most successful ones do. Scenes generally start small and gradually grow until they explode. Then they tend to eventually get too big and lose the original spirit. At some point after that the scene gradually fades to nothingness. This fascinating documentary explores the lifecycle of the “Kiss or Kill’ scene in Los Angeles. I have to say, I’ve never really heard any of the bands in the scene before. I’ll likely be looking to check some of them out, though. Even if I didn’t like these bands, though, just the social aspect of the documentary makes this worth having. It’s well-written, well-produced and includes some great interviews and bits of video. This comes highly recommended to any serious music fans. I’d say it’s also recommended to any one who studies sociological patterns. Of course, to fans of any of these bands or the scene in general, this is a “must have.”

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013  Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.