Rebel Scum

Filmmaker Video Rahim's Rebel Scum—a profile of Knoxville country-punk quartet Dirty Works—is one of those music documentaries that focus more on the antics of a band than on the music they make. Front man Christopher Scum is such a physically unhinged performer that he leaves shows covered in blood—from hitting his face with the microphone. Christopher is also a heroin addict who maintains his equilibrium by way of methadone, much like his girlfriend, Renee (sadly, she died in a car accident after filming wrapped). Although he grew up in Ohio, Christopher ended up in the South when he ran away from home to live with his aunt. About his addiction, he says he was hyperactive as a kid and that his parents put him on Ritalin, which he believes made him susceptible to heroin. His band mates include guitarist Steven Crime, bass player Shaggy, and drummer Bernard, while peripheral characters include trusty roadie Drew and profane neighbor Lumpy. During the course of the film, the band spends more time partying than either rehearsing or performing. Collateral damage along the way includes Steven's jail sentence for a DUI, Shaggy's ouster from the group, and Christopher's repeated attempts to set his hair on fire (failing only because the filmmaker stops him). Somehow, the four make it to the end of this film alive, although not all of their drug and alcohol-addicted friends are quite so lucky. Extras include a “making-of” featurette, film premiere segment, music video, and NPR coverage. A disturbing portrait of the darker side of rock ‘n' roll, this is a strong optional purchase. (K. Fennessy)