Watch A Fat Wreck

A Fat Wreck from 2016 is a documentary that chronicles the rise and fall of Fat Wreck Chords, one of the most influential punk rock record labels of the 1990s and early 2000s. The movie is directed by Shaun M. Colón and features interviews with the label's founders, Fat Mike and Erin Burkett, as well as interviews with some of the label's most iconic bands, including NOFX, Lagwagon, and Bad Religion.

The movie explores the early days of Fat Wreck Chords, when Fat Mike and Burkett were still in their twenties and trying to forge a name for themselves in the increasingly competitive world of punk rock. The two came from very different backgrounds - Fat Mike was a rowdy and rebellious kid from Los Angeles, while Burkett was a straight-laced and hard-working bookkeeper from San Francisco. But they both shared a passion for punk rock, and they decided to pool their resources and start a record label.

Initially, Fat Wreck Chords was a small operation, with Fat Mike and Burkett making copies of their bands' albums on a cassette deck in Burkett's condo. But the label's fortunes began to change when they signed NOFX, a scrappy and irreverent punk rock band from Los Angeles. NOFX's first album on Fat Wreck Chords, "Ribbed," became a hit among the punk rock crowd, and the band's popularity helped to put the label on the map.

Over the years, Fat Wreck Chords became known for its roster of bands with a distinctive punk sound - fast, loud, and often politically charged. The label's bands were known for their catchy melodies and intelligent lyrics, and they attracted a passionate following among punk rock fans around the world.

But as Fat Wreck Chords gained prominence, the pressures of success began to take their toll on the label's founders. Fat Mike, in particular, struggled with addiction and depression, and the tensions between him and Burkett eventually led to a bitter split between the two.

Despite the challenges, Fat Wreck Chords continued to release groundbreaking punk rock albums throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. The label helped to launch the careers of some of the biggest bands in punk rock, including Lagwagon, Propagandhi, and No Use for a Name.

Throughout the movie, the filmmakers interview many of the label's key players, including Fat Mike and Burkett, as well as members of the label's bands. Some of the most revealing moments come from Fat Mike, who opens up about his struggles with addiction and the bitter feud that led to his split with Burkett.

The movie also features plenty of live concert footage from some of the label's most iconic shows, including the 1995 Fat Wreck Chords tour, which featured NOFX, Lagwagon, and Strung Out playing to packed houses across the United States.

A Fat Wreck is an essential documentary for anyone who loves punk rock or is interested in the history of independent music. The movie offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of punk rock in the 1990s and sheds a light on the struggles that can come with success.

A Fat Wreck is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.