Dave Grohl, front man for Foo Fighters is not only one of the best musicians currently working, he’s also one of the best musicians of all time. Time and time again, Grohl has demonstrated his musical talent not only with Foo Fighters but also with other bands, including: Nirvana, Scream, Them Crooked Vultures, and Queens of the Stone Age. His love of music is evident, and his fame is well deserved. With
Sonic Highways, Grohl goes one step further, proving that not only does he love music; he understands that every city has a sound, and that every sound has a story.
The 8-episode mini-series documents the recording of the Foo Fighters album
Sonic Highways, with each track on the album being recorded in a different U.S. city. Each episode explores the history of music in that city and features interviews with musicians, record producers and other key people that shaped that city’s sound. The featured cities are: Chicago, Washington, D.C., Nashville, Austin, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Seattle, and New York City.
Sonic Highways is not just a superficial glimpse into the history of music in these cities. The impact of the music and how it influenced musicians from each of the respective cities and what it means to them is also explored. Each episode is a compelling and often, an emotional journey. The mini-series also gives viewers an in-depth look into the recording process of an album, something that can often only be imagined, complete with an in-depth look into every studio they record at. A lot of respect is shown for the technical and production side, especially the engineers and producers who keep the recording studios running, the end result being crisp and quality sound. Each episode begins with a quote from the song that was recorded in the respective city that’s being covered and culminates with a music video of the song. The visuals complement the music, and the cinematography courtesy of Kenny Stoff and Jessica Young capture both the beauty and grittiness of each city.
Chicago is the first city that’s covered in
Sonic Highways and the album’s title track “Something From Nothing” is recorded at Electrical Audio studios. The city while known for its rock bands such as Cheap Trick and The Smashing Pumpkins is rooted in the blues from the likes of Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy. Punk rock took a hold of the city in the 70’s and 80’s, and musician/producer Steve Albini emerged from it. His importance to the Chicago music scene is well covered, and so is love for music, which is why he founded Electrical Audio. The profound statements made in regards to inspiration and the great work that follows is perfectly fitting for the opening episode of the mini-series too. Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen joins the band to record “Something From Nothing,” the album’s title track.
Washington, D.C. is the second city that’s covered and the album’s second track “The Feast and the Famine” is recorded at Inner Ear Studios. The city has had its share of diverse acts and the style of go-go emerged in the early 70’s, it’s birth credited to local funk musician Chuck Brown. Go-go would also be popularized by Trouble Funk, a band that originated in the D.C. area and one that is still currently active. Hardcore punk also emerged from the city in the late 70’s, as did politically and socially charged music in general. Local musician Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat and Fugazi fame is interviewed, as are members of the local hardcore punk band Bad Brains. Their insight into the city’s music scene is nothing short of intriguing. Don Zientara, owner of Inner Ear Studios also provides insight into the city’s music scene and past. This episode also has a deep emotional aspect to it because Dave Grohl was raised in Virginia and was shaped and influenced by the bands and music scene of Washington, D.C. Peter Stahl and Skeeter Thompson of the D.C. punk band Scream, a band that Grohl himself was once a member of join the band to record “The Feast and the Famine,” the album’s second track.
Nashville is the third city that’s covered and the album’s third track “Congregation” is recorded at Southern Ground studio. The city’s gospel and country roots are explored, with musicians Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Tony Joe White discussing the city’s sound and what influenced it. Country’s evolution into more of a pop sound and it being forced to appeal to the mainstream is also examined and critiqued. This episode shows that country has respectable roots, and is a genre that should be held in higher regard than it currently is. The emergence of the singer/songwriter is discussed, a role that was unfairly shunned in the context of the recording industry. The city’s recording and producing history is also explored, which makes for an informative and insightful look into the recording process itself. Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band and owner of the Southern Ground joins the band to record “Congregation,” the album’s third track.
Austin is the fourth city that’s covered and the album’s fourth track “What Did I Do? / God as My Witness” is recorded at the Austin City Limits Studio. The city’s diverse, almost bizarre musical roots are examined. Musicians Gary Clark Jr., Rory Erickson, and Billy Gibbons are interviewed and give heartfelt insight into the city’s music scene. Terry Lickona, the producer of
Austin City Limits is also interviewed and discusses the positive impact the show had on not only the city’s music scene, but also music as a whole. If a band is need of a good city to make their name, Austin is the obvious choice. Gary Clark Jr. joins the band to record “What Did I Do?/God as My Wintess,” the album’s fourth track.
Los Angeles is fifth city that’s covered and the album’s fifth track “Outside” is recorded the Rancho De La Luna studio, located in the desert just outside of Los Angeles. This episode explores the city’s glam, classic and punk rock scenes along with the desert rock scene that emerged outside the city, largely thanks to the band Kyuss. This episode proves to be quite dark and emotional as Foo Fighters guitarist Pat Smear looks back on his time in L.A. and his time with the punk rock band the Germs in the late 70’s. Darby Crash, the lead vocalist of the Germs and Pat Smear’s close friend committed suicide via an intentional heroin overdose in 1980, which led to the band breaking up before they could achieve greater fame. Crash’s death being overshadowed by John Lennon’s death immediately after paints a grim picture of the world and how musicians are perceived. KROQ disc jockey Rodney Bingenheimer is also interviewed and gives insight into the city’s glam rock scene. The history of the Rancho De La Luna studio and its impact on the city’s music scene is also covered in fine detail. The life and death of one of the studio’s founders, Fred Drake gives the episode a lot of emotional depth. Despite Drake’s deteriorating health, his love and respect for music and the Rancho De La Luna kept him going until the very end. Joe Walsh of The Eagles fame joins the band to record “Outside,” the album’s fifth track.
New Orleans is the sixth city that’s covered and the album’s sixth track “In the Clear” is recorded at the Preservation Hall. Following in the footsteps of the HBO series
Treme, this episode captures the rich and vibrant culture of New Orleans and its powerful music scene. The music having jazz and Cajun roots makes for the most upbeat of music, which encourages bystanders to dance along with it. The devastating damage done by Hurricane Katrina back in 2005 is also explored, and the musicians interviewed give harrowing accounts of the aftermath. Despite the damage that was done, the city’s music community lived on and played a huge role in the recovery. It goes to show just how powerful music is and how it can bring people together even at the worst of times. The Preservation Hall band joins the band to record “In the Clear,” the album’s sixth track.
Seattle is the seventh city that’s covered and the album’s seventh track “Subterranean” is recorded at Robert Lang Studios. The city’s grunge scene is explored, which Grohl was a part of. He was Nirvana’s drummer up until Kurt Cobain’s suicide in 1994, which is also covered. Cobain’s suicide and the negative effects it had on the city is touched upon, which goes to show how much of an impact one musician can make. Grohl’s decision to go ahead and record some songs that ultimately ended up being the first Foo Fighters album serves as an example of how music can get one out of a dark place. Chris Cornell of Soundgarden fame and Ann Wilson of Heart fame both give compelling and intriguing bits on the city’s music scene too. Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie fame joins the band to record “Subterranean,” the album’s seventh track.
New York City is the final city that’s covered and the album’s eighth and final track “I Am A River” is recorded at The Magic Shop. The various music genres that emerged from the city are explored, rap and hip-hop being the two biggest. The popular CBGB club is also covered, as is its impact on the city’s music scene. The 9/11 attacks are touched upon, but as with New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina, the city remained strong and moved on thanks to the music scene. President Barack Obama makes a surprise appearance at the end of this episode, and his insight into music and the effect it’s had on the U.S. and will always have is both profound and honest. Musicians Tony Visconti and Kristeen Young join the band to record “I Am a River,” the album’s eighth and final track.
Sonic Highways is a mini-series that’s as intriguing as it compelling, and as intelligent as it is emotional. Dave Grohl proves yet again that he’s one of the best and brightest musicians in the industry. It’s easily one the most ambitious musical efforts of all time, and one to be appreciated. Simply put, it’s remarkable.
