A critic who appears in Bound to Lose, opening December 7 at Anthology Film Archives in NYC, notes that The Holy Modal Rounders have never really achieved critical or financial success from playing music, a hobby (?) they have been pursuing for over 40 years - in fits and starts, kind of like an on-again-off-again relationship. So why, one might ask, should I watch a film about them? What I found so intriguing is that we get a kind of longitudinal view of Peter Stampfel’s and Steve Weber’s lives over many years. What is the sum of a life? How does it look when you are many years along and take a look backwards? Have you made the right choices? Do you have regrets?

Like most of us, they are flawed human beings. They have failed relationships, they’ve done a lot of drugs, they’ve tried to make it as musicians, they’ve had day jobs, they’ve known famous people and are known themselves. Life is not only about success but also about failure, and these guys have seen a lot of that but they keep on keepin’ on. They recognize that it doesn’t really matter what others think of you; that you have to do what makes your own heart full even if it doesn’t jive with the expectations of others.

I don’t think I’m giving up too much about this film because each person that watches it will filter the events of the film through their own lens. Filmmakers Paul Lovelace and Sam Wainwright Douglas followed Peter and Steve for quite a while, and speak to many who have known them over the years. This 3-dimensional view of these men through these many vantage points, plus their own appearances, will give you a lot of fodder for thought. The music? Well, you’ll dig or hate it, but in terms of the evolution of folk, psychedelica and punk, their contribution is visible and probably more important than they get credit for.

The New York screenings will be presented with a host of live music and other rare, related short films. It looks like it’s going to be a fantastic way to connect with this scene of old-time New York folks. If you loved A Mighty Wind, you’ll need to be a part of this. Get the full schedule>>