Sound City (film)

The 106-minute documentary film covers a variety of important and record-breaking albums that all came out of Sound City Studios.{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1270930316}} |last1=Burger |first1=David |date=19 January 2013 |title=Behind the music: 'Sound City' story told by Dave Grohl in directing debut |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune }} Sound City Studios is located in the San Fernando Valley, amidst rows of industrial warehouses. The little-known recording studio housed a rare analog Neve recording console and had a reputation for recording drums. Artists such as Nirvana, Kyuss, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young, Rick Springfield, Tom Petty, Rage Against the Machine, and Slipknot recorded groundbreaking music at the studio. In 1991 Nirvana recorded the album Nevermind at Sound City Studios. This was one of many platinum albums that came out of the studio, placing Sound City among the most well-known names and record labels in the music industry.{{Cite web|last=Rob|date=August 29, 2013|title=Sound City: A Dump, A Palace|url=https://musictoeat.com/2013/08/29/sound-city-a-dump-a-palace/|access-date=2020-12-13|language=en}} Sound City played an important role in the history of Fleetwood Mac. After hearing a recording of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham made at Sound City, Mick Fleetwood asked Buckingham if he would join, to which he agreed so long as Nicks was invited in as well. This version of the group later earned three Grammy awards.

The documentary credits much of the studio's success to its Neve 8028 mixing console and the strong and grungy drum sound that the studio produced. The sound that came out of the studio is often credited to the shape of the studio and the way that sound waves acted within the room.{{Cite web|date=June 1, 2019|title=Legendary Consoles and Their Impact on Music History {{!}} Sweetwater|url=https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/legendary-consoles-impact-music-history/|access-date=2020-12-13|website=inSync|language=en}} Even though much of the studio's success was credited to the shape of its rooms, another large factor was credited to its mixing console. Sound Studios' custom Neve 8028 produced a strong and punchy sound that defined '70s rock music. Sound City has produced gold & platinum albums for over five decades.

The film tells the story of the studio from its early days in 1969 until it stopped operating as a commercial studio in 2011. The film covers the reasons for the studio's success along with the reasons for the distinct sound that came from the studio. The film covers stories from recording in the studio, the eventual deterioration of the studio, and even the non-musical production of albums in the studio. Sound City even produced albums by people like Bill Cosby. It then follows Dave Grohl's purchase of the studio's Neve 80 Series custom analog console, which he moved to his personal studio, Studio 606. The Neve 8028, "one of four in the world",{{cite news | url=http://readbuzz.com/movies-tv/2013/rock-docs-sound-city-2013 | title=Rock Docs: Sound City (2013) | first=Patrick | last=Filbin|work=Buzz Weekly | location=Champaign-Urbana, Illinois | date=April 9, 2013 | accessdate=June 11, 2013}} was designed by Rupert Neve, an English electronics engineer who founded Neve Electronics in 1961. Neve is interviewed by Grohl in the film.{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5486409/#Self | title=Rupert Neve. Self | publisher=IMDb | accessdate=August 21, 2013}} In the film, famous musicians who recorded at Sound City reunite at Studio 606 for a jam session and to make an album of "all-new all-original songs, each one composed and recorded exclusively for the film within its own 24-hour session on that console."{{cite web|title=Sound City: Real To Reel - Editorial Reviews|website=Amazon |url=https://www.amazon.com/Sound-City-Real-To-Reel/dp/B00APKIN1I|accessdate=March 28, 2013}}

The film was first exhibited in the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2013,{{cite magazine|first=Katie|last=Van Syckle|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-dave-grohl-on-his-sound-city-doc-and-taking-risks-in-music-20130125 |title=Q&A: Dave Grohl on His Sound City Doc and Taking Risks in Music|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=January 25, 2013|accessdate=April 6, 2013}} and released on video-on-demand and in theaters on February 1, 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/sound-city-confirmed-for-theatrical-and-vod-release-february-1-2013 |title=Sound City Confirmed for Theatrical and VOD Release February 1, 2013 |publisher=MovieWeb |accessdate=December 13, 2012 |last=Gallagher |first=Brian}} It was screened on January 31 in five Australian cities (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth).{{cite web |last=Mann |first=Tom |title=Dave Grohl's Sound City movie to screen in Australia 'for one night only' |url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/34683/Dave-Grohls-Sound-City-movie-to-screen-in-Australia-for-one-night-only |work=FasterLouder |publisher=FasterLouder Pty Ltd |date=January 21, 2013 |access-date=March 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126013613/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/34683/Dave-Grohls-Sound-City-movie-to-screen-in-Australia-for-one-night-only |archive-date=January 26, 2013 |url-status=dead }} The documentary was also screened in three cities in Canada (Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal) and 51 cities in the United States.{{cite web |last=Hogan |first=Marc |title=Dave Grohl's Sound City Documentary Is Coming to a Theater Near You |url=https://www.spin.com/2013/01/dave-grohl-sound-city-documentary-movie-theatrical-release/ |work=Spin |publisher=Buzz Media |date=January 14, 2013 |accessdate=March 19, 2013}} The film was screened for a one-off showing on February 18, 2013, in 23 theaters across the UK.{{cite web |url=http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/vue-cinemas-to-show-exclusive-screening-of-dave-grohl-s-sound-city |title=Vue cinemas to show exclusive screening of Dave Grohl's Sound City |work=indielondon.co.uk |date=February 18, 2013 |accessdate=May 25, 2018}}

After the closing credits there is a short, silent segment of a home movie showing a band getting set up. The picture freezes on one person and the following text appears: "In memory of Brian Hauge (1970 – 2012)."{{cite web |url=http://aftercredits.com/2013/02/sound-city-2013/ | title=Sound City (2013). What's After The Credits? |work=aftercredits.com |date=February 1, 2013 |accessdate=October 1, 2013}}[http://i2.x8.net/T/sep0_O.png Screenshot] from https://web.archive.org/web/20160304205252/http://www.torrentino.com/torrents/1436661. Retrieved March 12, 2018. He was the key grip of the film.{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2306745/fullcredits/ |title=Sound City (2013) Full Cast & Crew - Camera and Electrical Department |publisher=IMDb |access-date=December 3, 2014}}

The documentary features interviews conducted by Grohl of artists associated with the studio:{{cite news |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |title= Dave Grohl Writes Letter to Fans: Sound City Doc {{'}}Is My Life's Most Important Work{{'}} |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/earshot/dave-grohl-writes-letter-fans-399653 |date=December 9, 2012 |last=Halperin |first=Shirley |accessdate=December 13, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://buy.soundcitymovie.com/cast |title=Cast - Sound City |work=soundcitymovie.com |accessdate=December 13, 2012}}

{{Div col}}

• Vinny Appice
• Frank Black
• Lindsey Buckingham
• Johnny Cash (archival)
• Kurt Cobain (archival)
• Kevin Cronin
• Rivers Cuomo
• Warren DeMartini
• Mick Fleetwood
• John Fogerty
• Neil Giraldo
• Chris Goss
• Josh Homme
• Alain Johannes
• Jim Keltner
• Barry Manilow
• Paul McCartney
• Rupert Neve
• Stevie Nicks
• Rick Nielsen
• Krist Novoselic
• Stephen Pearcy
• Tom Petty
• Nick Raskulinecz
• Trent Reznor
• Ross Robinson
• Rick Rubin
• Jim Scott
• Pat Smear
• Rick Springfield
• Corey Taylor
• Benmont Tench
• Lars Ulrich
• Butch Vig
• Lee Ving
• Brad Wilk
• Neil Young
• Robert Levon Been

{{Div col end}}

Current or former members of the bands Dio, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, Pixies, Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana, REO Speedwagon, Weezer, Ratt, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, The Beatles, Cheap Trick, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Nine Inch Nails, Slipknot, Stone Sour, Metallica, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Fear, Foo Fighters and Rage Against the Machine appeared in the film. The drummer of Foo Fighters, Taylor Hawkins, also appeared in the film.

Image:Sound City Movie.png

Sound City received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 100% of critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 7.7/10 based on 46 reviews. The site's consensus states: "Smart, affectionate, and unabashedly sincere, Sound City pairs a great soundtrack with a well-argued ode to one of rock 'n' roll's most fondly remembered bygone eras."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sound_city |title=Sound City (2013) |work=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango |accessdate=February 27, 2018}} It was one of the highest rated limited release and documentary movies of the year on the website.{{cite web |url= http://www.rottentomatoes.com/guides/golden-tomato-awards-2013/limited/ |title=The 15th Annual Golden Tomato Awards |work = Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango |accessdate = January 14, 2013}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/guides/golden-tomato-awards-2013/genre/documentary/ |title=The 15th Annual Golden Tomato Awards |work =Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango |accessdate = January 14, 2013}} On Metacritic the film has a score of 76 based on reviews from 15 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/sound-city |title=Sound City Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=February 1, 2013}}

Kenneth Turan from Los Angeles Times gave the film a positive review, saying "High-spirited, emotional and funny, Sound City is, of all things, a mash note to a machine. Not just any machine, however, but one that helped change the face of rock 'n' roll."[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-sound-city-review-20130201,0,3868770.story Movie review: Sound City is homage to recording studio equipment]. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 31, 2013. In a review for The Daily Telegraph, Sebastian Doggart awarded the documentary five out of five stars and proclaimed it as "an exhilarating exploration of the creative process."[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/9821370/Dave-Grohls-Sound-City-Players-Sundance-Film-Festival-review.html Dave Grohl's Sound City Players, Sundance Film Festival, review]. Daily Telegraph. Retrieved January 23, 2013. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone admits "In his directing debut, Dave Grohl shows the instincts of a real filmmaker. Sound City hits you like a shot in the heart."[https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/sound-city-20130201 Sound City {{!}} Movie Review]. Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 11, 2013. Bill Goodykoontz of The Arizona Republic remarks "Sound City is a music geek's dream, a rollicking look at a dumpy California studio where a lot of musicians found magic. It's also a bit of a mess, like all good rock and roll ought to be",[http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/movies/articles/20130129sound-city-movie-review-goodykoontz.html Sound City, 4 stars]. The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 31, 2013. while Elizabeth Weitzman of New York Daily News praised that "Grohl's aim is to explore the aura of a place, but what he winds up proving is that people make the magic."[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/movie-review-sound-city-article-1.1252204 Movie review: Sound City]. Daily News (New York). Retrieved January 31, 2013.

In a mixed review, Gillian G. Gaar writes, "The film's final third drags a bit because there's too much of the recording sessions Grohl set up using that famous Neve board, most notably featuring Paul McCartney and Grohl's Nirvana bandmate Krist Novoselic (on the raucous "Cut Me Some Slack"), as well as Stevie Nicks, Trent Reznor and Joshua Homme, among others". Phil Gallo from Billboard stated "Grohl's inexperience as a filmmaker only shows when the film makes a sharp turn out of history and into the more recent past: There's a sense that instead of celebrating great rock 'n' roll moments, a product is about to be pitched at the viewer."{{cite magazine|first=Phil|last=Gallo|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/features/1507485/sound-city-review-dave-grohl-shines-his-light-on-a-dumpy-mecca |title=Sound City Review: Dave Grohl Shines His Light on a 'Dumpy' Mecca |magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|date=January 18, 2013|accessdate=April 5, 2013}}

{{Anchor|Awards|Accolades}}

The documentary won the Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Digital Media in 2014. The documentary was also won the Cinema Eye Audience Choice Prize at the Cinema Eye Honors Awards in 2014. The film received a Satellite Award for Best Documentary Film nomination in the 18th edition.{{Citation|title=Sound City - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2306745/awards|access-date=2020-11-04}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Sound City - Real To Reel|artist=Documentary|type=video|region=Australia|award=Platinum|relyear=2013|certyear=2014|access-date=August 11, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|title=Sound City|artist=Sound City - Real To Reel|type=video|region=United States|award=Gold|relyear=2013|certyear=2013|access-date=August 11, 2024}}

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{{Main|Sound City: Real to Reel}}

Sound City: Real to Reel is the official soundtrack of the documentary and can be seen in production during the latter part of the film. The album was recorded within Grohl's Studio 606 after his purchase of the Neve console from Sound City Studios. In partnership with a variety of famous recording musicians, the album was released on March 12, 2013. The album would go on to win the Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, along with a win for Best Rock Song for "Cut Me Some Slack".{{Citation|title=Sound City: Real to Reel - Original Soundtrack {{!}} Awards {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/sound-city-real-to-reel-mw0002480578/awards|language=en-us|access-date=2020-12-13}}

• Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways, television series by Grohl inspired by his documentary Sound City
• Sound City Players

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{IMDb title}}
• {{mojo title|soundcity}}
• {{cite magazine|first=Phil|last=Gallo|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1509574/dave-grohls-sound-city-players-tear-it-up-at-sundance |title=Dave Grohl's Sound City Players Tear It Up at Sundance|magazine=Billboard|date=January 19, 2013|accessdate=April 5, 2013}}
• {{cite magazine|first=Phil|last=Gallo|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/1525927/dave-grohl-on-sound-city-more-players-shows-and-keeping-paul-mccartney-secret |title=Dave Grohl on Sound City, More Players Shows and Keeping Paul McCartney Secret|magazine=Billboard|date=January 24, 2013|accessdate=April 5, 2013}}
• {{cite magazine|first=Phil|last=Gallo|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1537649/dave-grohls-sound-city-the-billboard-cover-story |title=Dave Grohl's Sound City: The Billboard Cover Story|magazine=Billboard|date=February 4, 2013|accessdate=April 5, 2013}}

{{Dave Grohl}}

Category:2013 films

Category:2013 documentary films

Category:American documentary films

Category:Documentary films about the music industry

Category:Works by Dave Grohl

Category:Documentary films about Los Angeles

Category:Music of Los Angeles

Category:Rockumentaries

Category:Variance Films films

Category:2013 directorial debut films

Category:2010s English-language films

Category:2010s American films

Category:English-language documentary films