Kut U Up - 'Riding In Vans With Boys' (Resting Bird)
4/5
By: Samantha Hall
In the summer of 2002, Blink 182 invited the little known band Kut U Up to accompany them, Green Day and Jimmy Eat World on 'The Pop Disaster Tour'. And who the f**k are Kut U Up? Well, none of the crew, bands and definitely fans knew either. (They are, in fact, a trashy-tech, garage-band next door type outfit, known as much for their music as their innate ability to cause havoc, concern authorities and leave destruction and laughter in their wake. Along with their instruments and several gallons of booze).
Naturally then, Kut U Up packed up a few cameras in their new van (and we mean van - large transit opposed to a swanky Starline decker), which resulted in: 'Riding In Vans With Boys'.
Oh my, and they are boys... in the words of Blink 182's Mark Hoppus, on the first day, 'Man, what the f**k is wrong with you guys? Their van smells of beer and shit and farts, and BO and hash, and you're only three hours from San Diego.'
A very punk-rock presentation, there's live-footage, hand-held cameras, precarious running around shots, 'arty well-produced shots', typical crowd shots and a plethora of close-ups. Everything - photos-freezes, black and white footage, budget-effect computerized maps, grainy night cameras. Everything you could want... ever, possibly. This is an incredibly personal DVD. It by no means indulges in stereotypes and bravado false portrayals of the hallowed on-the-road life.
The sound is mastered to perfection. There's narrative documentary by Kut U Up describing the journey of their 'big break' or, as Blink 182 like to refer to their role on tour, 'weird social experiment'. American accents are thick and shady, but chit-chat is very accurate, relaxed and open. There's constant band overtures and music samples, which create a fast-paced viewing.
In all, it's best to those that dream of their own start-up band playing amidst any shape, form or such type of tour, an inspiringly lo-fi account: fun, frivolous, and - despite the occasional high-schoolness of it all - very amusing.
Artists in this article: Kut U Up
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