Filmage: The Story of Descendents/All

2014 • 90 minutes

About this movie

Long before punk rock inflicted its puncture wound on the map of mainstream music, the Descendents were in a van brewing a potent mix of pop, angst, love and coffee and influencing a generation to come. FILMAGE: The Story of DESCENDENTS/ALL follows drummer and square-peg Bill Stevenson as he pushes himself and a rotating door of band-mates to “achieve ALL,” his relentless concept of “going for greatness, the utmost possible” despite any and all setbacks. Shortly after proving themselves to the burgeoning Los Angeles hardcore scene, guitarist Frank Navetta sets fire to his gear and disappears, bassist Tony Lombardo rejects life on the road in favor of a suburban home, and iconic nerd frontman Milo Aukerman goes to college to become a scientist. Stevenson, however, remains. Unfazed and hellbent on his quest, he charges ahead three decades, dragging along a new crop of tireless cohorts to zigzag the globe and serve up countless caffeinated love songs against impossible—and life threatening—odds. Interviews with the band and contemporaries such as Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana), Mark Hoppus (Blink-182), Mike Watt (Minutemen), Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion) and many more reveal the untold tale of one of the most overachieving and influential bands in punk, serving as a reminder to always “go for greatness," because sometimes you're gonna get it.

Ratings and reviews

Brings me back to the great times in high school. Black Flag, 7-Seconds, Youth Brigade, Circle Jerks and my favorite..The Descendants/ALL. Catching their shows in Wisconsin at tiny venues couldn't be beat. I even still have one of Bills drumsticks. :)

A note perfect homage to a seminal and beloved band who created the genre of melodic punk. In addition to the focus on the music and tons of great live footage and interviews, it was a really sweet (and funny) story about good friends doing what they love in their never-ending quest for ALL!

Really interesting film about The Descendents/ALL. I got to know their music much later as their double album came out on Epitaph, so it was great to get some backstory on two of my favorite bands. Highly recommended to any punk fans.