This documentary gives us an inside look at what happens when 3 middle schoolers from Flatbush, Brooklyn go from a viral video of their metal band, Unlocking the Truth, performing on the streets of NYC, in Times Square, to trying to traverse the often shallow and slimy music industry to get their career off the ground.
The 12 and 13-year-olds Malcolm Brickhouse, Jarad Dawkins, and Alec Atkins are typical youths in many ways with interests in video games, skateboards, girls, and music. However, the music they play is certainly not typical, especially since the 3 African American band members are playing heavy metal, with an audience that's historically predominantly white.
The band will soon have a manager in Alan Sacks, co-creator of Welcome Back Cotter and influential in the career of the Jonas Brothers. They'll also quickly find themselves in the offices of Sony Music signing a recording contract, be slated for music festivals, tours, and major media appearances.
In my opinion, they are talented in what they do, but one can't help but get the impression that they're being marketed for their novelty brand and not for their music. In one scene in the film, this is mentioned by their manager as he reads a critique of the band, and Malcolm honestly answers that he's very much aware of it.
Overall, this documentary, directed by Luke Meyer, gives the viewer some idea of the artificiality of what happens when big business and adults collide with 3 talented but very raw young musicians. I was interested enough to follow up from where the movie left off, and let's just say I was not surprised as to what happened post-film. However, I am also interested enough to want to know what this band's future holds for them in the coming years.
The 12 and 13-year-olds Malcolm Brickhouse, Jarad Dawkins, and Alec Atkins are typical youths in many ways with interests in video games, skateboards, girls, and music. However, the music they play is certainly not typical, especially since the 3 African American band members are playing heavy metal, with an audience that's historically predominantly white.
The band will soon have a manager in Alan Sacks, co-creator of Welcome Back Cotter and influential in the career of the Jonas Brothers. They'll also quickly find themselves in the offices of Sony Music signing a recording contract, be slated for music festivals, tours, and major media appearances.
In my opinion, they are talented in what they do, but one can't help but get the impression that they're being marketed for their novelty brand and not for their music. In one scene in the film, this is mentioned by their manager as he reads a critique of the band, and Malcolm honestly answers that he's very much aware of it.
Overall, this documentary, directed by Luke Meyer, gives the viewer some idea of the artificiality of what happens when big business and adults collide with 3 talented but very raw young musicians. I was interested enough to follow up from where the movie left off, and let's just say I was not surprised as to what happened post-film. However, I am also interested enough to want to know what this band's future holds for them in the coming years.