Working Class Rock Star

People just don’t listen. Despite the plethora of information pointing out otherwise, many people still believe becoming a band signed to a record label means instant fame and fortune. If some of these artists were to put down their guitars for a few minutes though, they would notice that record sales are through the floor, not the roof, and with so much competition fighting for scraps in today’s market, "success” is a term reserved for people who don’t lose their shirt. Striving to depict this reality, director Justin McConnell follows a few underground metal bands in their attempts at touring, recording and working the system. Interspersed with candid interviews from members of Unearth, Lamb Of God, the Haunted, Strapping Young Lad and more in which they convey the realities of the recording industry — Gwar’s Dave Brockie relating that he still maintains a part-time job after 20 years as a professional musician is particularly eye-opening — Working Class Rock star is blunt proof that the music industry’s days of milk and honey are long gone. Informative and interesting despite focusing on relative unknowns (3 Mile Scream, Bloodshoteye), this feature-length is vital to any aspiring "star.”