Watch Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story

Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story is a documentary film that chronicles the life and career of the late Andrew Wood, the lead singer of Seattle-based glam rock band Malfunkshun and subsequently of the influential alternative rock outfit Mother Love Bone. Directed by Scot Barbour, the film was released in 2005, several years after the tragic death of Wood due to a heroin overdose at the age of 24.

Through interviews with Wood's family members, friends, bandmates, and music industry peers, as well as archival footage and home movies, the film paints a portrait of a charismatic and enigmatic artist whose life was cut short just as he was on the verge of achieving mainstream success. The film opens with footage of a young Andrew Wood performing at a local talent show in his hometown of Bainbridge Island, Washington, before moving on to his nascent years as a musician in Seattle's vibrant music scene in the 1980s.

We see the evolution of Wood's musical style from his early days in Malfunkshun, a band known for their wild and manic live performances, to his time as the lead singer of Mother Love Bone, a more polished and melodic group that fused elements of classic rock, funk, and metal. The film delves into Wood's songwriting process, his influences, and his relationships with his bandmates and collaborators, including his brother David Wood, guitarist Stone Gossard, and bassist Jeff Ament.

Throughout the film, we also learn more about Wood's personal life, including his struggles with drug addiction and his relationships with women. The film explores how Wood's addiction affected his music and his relationships with those around him, and how he used his art to express his emotions and connect with his audience.

One of the strengths of Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story is its use of archival footage and home movies to give viewers a sense of the time and place in which Wood lived and worked. We see glimpses of Seattle's grunge scene in its early days, as well as the vibrant punk and alternative scenes of the 1980s. The film also includes interviews with music industry figures such as Jonathan Poneman, co-founder of the influential label Sub Pop, which helped launch the careers of bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney.

Ultimately, Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story is a tribute to a talented young artist who left an indelible mark on the music world, even though he never achieved the commercial success that many felt he deserved. The film celebrates Wood's artistry and his spirit, and serves as a valuable document of a pivotal moment in the history of popular music.

Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.2.