Watch Athens, GA - Inside/Out

Athens, GA - Inside/Out is a music documentary film that captures the vibrant and diverse music scene in Athens, Georgia, a small college town in the 1980s. The film, directed by Tony Gayton and produced by the B-52's guitarist Keith Strickland, features interviews with musicians, club owners, and fans who shaped the Athens music scene. It also includes many live performances from local bands, including the B-52's, R.E.M, Pylon, Love Tractor and many more.

The documentary provides a glimpse into the creative and cooperative spirit of the Athens music community. The musicians featured in the film, who survived on the bar circuit, describe the struggle to play what they wanted to play and to make a living. The clubs where they played nurtured a sense of community and were an important support system for the bands.

The B-52's, one of the most popular bands from Athens, feature prominently in the film, commenting on how the music scene in Athens grew and evolved. The members of the band discuss their early days, their influences and their experiences in the Athens music scene. Their wild performances were a staple at the time and helped put Athens on the map as a creative hotspot.

Other musicians who contributed to the scene are profiled in the film, including R.E.M, who were a local favorite before hitting it big. The film also highlights the punk and new wave scene in Athens, with interviews from bands like Pylon and Love Tractor.

Athens, GA - Inside/Out is not just about the music, it is also about the Athens community as a whole. The film shows the town as a quirky and artistic place, full of oddball characters and unconventional events. The audience is taken on a tour of Athens, including visits to the pier where people would hang out and the infamous 'murder house' where a local musician had holed up with his collection of firearms.

The documentary showcases how the town came to be known as a mecca for musicians, both from the perspective of those involved in the local music scene and those not in it. It emphasizes the importance of community, creativity, and dedication to one's craft.

Throughout the film, there is a feeling of joy and celebration in the music that is being created. It is clear that the Athens music scene was not about money, but about the passion and the desire to express something unique and authentic.

In summary, Athens, GA - Inside/Out is a snapshot of a time and place that gave rise to some of the most influential bands of the 80s. The documentary offers a unique insight into a vibrant and creative music scene that was driven by passion and dedication, and it offers a timeless reminder of the importance of community and creativity.