Gimme Danger

Jim Jarmusch is possibly the perfect director to profile Iggy Pop and the Stooges. Two years after Jarmusch directed Iggy in his metaphysical Western Dead Man, he made a documentary about Neil Young (the film's composer). Now, he builds Gimme Danger around lucid, self-effacing recollections from Iggy, bolstered by archival material, band mate commentary, and cut-out animation. Iggy, who grew up in Detroit, was so enthusiastic about drumming that his parents gave him their bedroom for his practice sessions. In his teens, he played in garage bands before moving to Chicago to soak up the blues scene and deciding that he would rather sing than drum. Back in Detroit, he formed the Stooges with Dave Alexander and Ron and Scott Asheton (James Williamson would later replace Alexander). While their friends in the MC5 embraced left-wing politics, the Stooges presented a nihilistic image. After signing to Elektra, they recorded a debut in New York and a follow-up in L.A., and that's when drugs entered the picture. By 1972, Elektra had had enough, so Iggy went home, got clean, and flew to London to make Raw Power with David Bowie. The rest of the band came later, but the album was no more successful than the others. As Iggy puts it, "We were stumbling and bumbling," so they went their separate ways, working on other projects and inspiring other bands. Three decades later, they re-formed with Mike Watt on bass, ending this story on a high note. Gimme Danger was clearly made with love, and it shows. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)