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  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Widescreen 1.85:1
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  • Full Frame
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital 5.0 Surround
  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  Subtitles
  • None
  Extras
  • Additional footage - Panic Attack LIVE
  • Audio commentary
  • 3 Featurette
  • Photo gallery
  • Animated menus
  • 5 Music video
  • Multiple angle
  • Discography
Grinspoon - 23 Hours of Waiting Around
Universal Music/Universal Music . R4 . COLOR . 31 mins . M15+ . PAL

  Feature
Contract

First things first, where did the name Grinspoon come from? It turns out it is the surname of pro-marijuana activist Dr Lester Grinspoon who advocates the use of the drug for medical purposes. Isn’t that what everyone uses it for? Regardless of where their name came from, this hard rocking Aussie band has made a name for itself and they have created a great DVD release for fans.

Grinspoon formed in 1995 when the guys met at a jam night. They wrote a song called Clockwork then heard that radio station Triple J were running a competition for unsigned bands called Unearthed. They decided to enter and submitted a song entitled Sickfest and were equal winners. The song became Triple J’s number one requested song for seven weeks and the band was on their way.

Phil Jamieson on vocals, Pat Davern on guitar, Joe Hansen on bass and Kristian Hopes drums set about writing songs and released their self-titled EP that same year. They followed this with another EP entitled Licker Bottle Cozy in 1996 and their debut album Guide to Better Living in 1997, which contained the singles DC X3 (aka Dead Cat Three Times and the superb Just Ace. The album was released after extensive touring from the band on the back of their Unearthed win and growing radio airplay, primarily still on Triple J. The band said they would have been happy if the album had sold 10,000 units, but it has gone on to sell over 100,000 copies and is still selling to this day. They admit that this unexpected success made them think they were rock gods, but they soon realised that having success on one album does not a band of rock gods make.

The EP Pushing Buttons was released in 1998 and this was followed by their second album, Easy, in 1999, establishing the band on the Australian market. There was extensive touring during these first few years which also included a tour of the US in support of their debut album. Their third and current album New Detention followed in 2002 containing their most successful single to date Chemical Heart. The album also contains the hits No Reason, Lost Control and 1000 Miles, all gaining extensive radio airplay on both commercial radio as well as long time supporters Triple J. The single Don’t Change, the INXS cover, can be found on the Panic Attack EP but not on an album as yet, possibly on a future 'Greatest Hits' release?

This DVD release from the band is primarily to promote their latest album and the main feature 23 Hours of Waiting Around may only be a short behind the scenes look at the band, running for only 31 minutes, but the complete package is terrific. The rest of the contents can be found in the extras section, but I shall focus on the main feature first. This feature follows the band on tour and contains interviews with the band members, manager and crew and gives a great insight into the band for fans. It contains some great footage and is well balanced to show fans every side of this band. There is rare footage of the possible lowest point in their history when lead singer Phil and bass player Joe had an on-stage fight during a show in New Zealand. This footage shows that the band is not afraid to show their worse side as well as their best.

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The very cool menu.

The very cool menu is made up of a garage scene with each band member placed in a selectable area. This looping footage is quite amusing to watch, seeing each member trying not to look bored while the camera is filming their every move. There is also the option to go to a quick menu where you can select which part of the DVD you wish to view. Apart from the main feature, this release is packed with goodies, the highlight being a live section in glorious widescreen and surround sound, but more about that in the extras. There is also a collection of video clips but again, more on those in the extras.

Grinspoon are a great Aussie band that have a big future ahead of them. They are obviously great friends as well as band mates so let's hope they can stay together and become even bigger, not only here in Australia but also overseas. Let's be honest, a hard working band like this deserves the success more than the majority of "artists" that tend to dominate the charts.

  Video
  Audio
  Extras
Contract

There are several differing source materials with this release and therefore the quality does vary. The documentary feature is presented in full frame, as is everything else on this release apart from the live section. All are of terrific quality overall with only the smallest amount of problems. Where video cameras have been used for behind the scenes shots, there are grain problems and loss of detail, but these are expected and not really a problem - if anything, they add to the feel of it. The video clip section is of the highest quality with some vibrant colours and sharp images. The pick of the crop though is the live footage. This is presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and is 16:9 enhanced. There are the usual problems encountered with concert footage, but overall this really does look great, did I mention it’s in widescreen?

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Rockin' out the Enmore Theatre.

Audio is supplied in Dolby Digital stereo and for the most part does a great job. It would have been nice to have a surround mix on the video clips, but the stereo mix works well. The good news is that the live footage (the one in widescreen) also comes with a nice Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix. This is the highlight by far and it sounds great. This is a hard rocking band and this mix really delivers their sound perfectly. The subwoofer goes into overdrive and bounces around the room, your neighbours will love you!

They are classed here as extras but really this is a complete package. I have broken down each section though to give you a better idea of the great inclusions on this release.

Panic Attack LIVE
This is the highlight for this reviewer, not only is it a great live set but it also comes in a 16:9 enhanced 1.85:1 ratio transfer along with a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix. But wait, there’s more... two of the songs also contain multi-angle viewing to give you a completely different view of the band in their natural habitat – on stage. The track listing for this section is Rockshow, American Party Bomb/Lost Control, Ready One, Champion, More Than You Are, Protest/Chemical Heart and 1000 Miles. American Party Bomb/Lost Control and 1000 Miles feature multi angle viewing and my only criticism with this live section is the pauses between songs, but apart from that it rocks!

. Video Clips
Contained here are video clips for Chemical Heart, Lost Control, No Reason, Don’t Change and 1000 Miles. All clips are supplied in Dolby Digital stereo and do sound and look terrific but wait, there’s even more! Yes that good old multi-angle feature kicks in again, this time on the video for No Reason. Now the reason for the multi-angle (pardon the pun) is because there were three clips made for the song as, in the manager's words, they had more money than sense. Just when you thought it was over, yes there is more. All video clips also come with commentary from Phil and Joe giving fans some great information along with a few laughs.

Discography
Featured here is the full discography of the band including all three albums along with their EPs. The cover can be selected to show a track listing, just for those that don’t own the bands back catalogue yet.

Photo Gallery
This feature runs for 3:38 and contains some great pictures of the guys in a nice format.

Rock Fingers
This fun little featurette runs for just under a minute and features bass player Joe giving an insight into his rock fingers usage.

UK Tour
This great little featurette follows the band on their first visit to London. It runs for 6:51 and goes behind the scenes to show how the short tour went.

First In
This featurette runs for 6:08 and looks at the all important support crew. It contains interviews with many crucial members of the Grinspoon family and gives a great insight into what goes on before and after a show.

This whole package is aimed to promote the band's most recent album New Detention and that is expected. It is a great package and if you are a fan, get out there and buy it. If you are only a passing fan or you want to learn more about a talented Australian band then look no further, Grinspoon are one of the best acts going around at present. The highlight for this reviewer is definitely the live footage, but fans will also be pleased with the video clips and documentary. This DVD is packed with goodies so give it a try - you will be satisfied.


  • LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=3328
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  •   And I quote...
    "Great value from a local band, this release is setting a great example for the rest to follow."
    - Adrian Turvey
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Sony DVP-NS305
    • TV:
          AKAI CT-29S55AT 68cm
    • Receiver:
          Sony STR-DE685
    • Speakers:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Centre Speaker:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Surrounds:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Subwoofer:
          Sony SAVE815ED
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