We Are Twisted F***ing Sister!

Andrew Horn's documentary isn't the usual rags-to-riches portrait of a rock band, but rather a rigorous examination of a regional phenomenon. If New York glam-metal quintet Twisted Sister had emerged 10 years earlier or later, they might have had an easier road to success, but the group developed their sound just as glam was starting to fade away and before hair-metal came into fashion. Twisted Sister originally started as a cover band with a preference for the works of David Bowie and the New York Dolls. In his accompanying audio commentary, filmmaker Horn recalls attending the same shows as band founder Jay Jay French, although they wouldn't meet until decades later. After Dee Snider joined the group, Twisted Sister became a more theatrical act, but tension ensued when Snider criticized French's songs. Guitarist French responded by challenging the singer to write his own, and Snider surprised him, becoming a self-described "maniacal, malicious" songwriter, after which the band developed a wider following and they consistently sold out venues throughout the tri-state area. Through merchandising and ticket sales, they made a living, but record companies weren't interested, so they pressed their own singles and produced their own radio spots—a tactic that garnered press attention in the U.K., and led to a record deal for their debut. Still, for every step forward, there were two steps back. The film ends with their signing to Atlantic—a less than ideal marriage, although it did lead to 1984's multiplatinum release Stay Hungry. Although their signature hit "We're Not Gonna Take It" (used by Donald Trump during his presidential campaign) is absent here, the abundance of rare footage and colorful fan recollections make this an entertaining portrait. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 on Blu-ray, extras include bonus footage, interviews, and performances. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)