Braid

Killing A Camera 2004 DVD (2004)

Scott Heisel

Braid's Killing A Camera video, documenting their last 4 days and 5 shows as a band, was promised way back in 1999 but took two years to finally materialize, to little fanfare. People had moved on; trends had shifted; bands that owed their livelihood to Braid's now-patented dual-guitar attack and their infectious brand of melodic post-hardcore stopped crediting them as an influence, instead letting kids think that they themselves were the originators. It's a shame, really, because Braid is one of the defining bands of the mid-to-late nineties emo/post-hardcore movement, and they deserve to be seen and heard as much as possible.

Luckily with this re-release of the video on DVD as well as the reunited quartet's summer tour, kids will realize the magic that Braid brought to the table. This documentary of Braid's last 5 shows in 4 days really captures the band at their peak, and it's intercut with plenty of concert footage as well as interviews taken from the last days of the group. The angles are original and creative, and the audio is crisp and clear. Plus you get the added benefit of it being a DVD instead of a VHS tape - there's minimal chance of the DVD wearing out from repeated watches, unlike the previous version.

The new edition of Killing A Camera brings two new features - band commentary on the original film as well as a brand new retrospective chock full of never before seen footage as well as video interview footage taken from January 2004 with all four members at once. The new retrospective is - in my opinion - better than the original documentary, as it gives the viewer more insight into the real reasons for the band's demise, as well as the birth of Hey Mercedes among other things. You also get your first look at the reunited Braid having fun just fucking with each other during the video interviews. It's good to see Chris Broach's face once more, and it's even better knowing that any bad blood is long drained out.

The audio commentary ends up becoming more like open mic night than anything else - all four members [plus director Charles Cardello] find themselves constantly jockeying for mic time, each trying to top the other's outrageous stories about life on the road or whatnot. there's an obvious comraderie evident in the audio, and again, as a fan of the band it's nice to know that Braid is back, albeit just for the summer.

Maybe I'm just reminscing about my adolescence. It's definitely a trip seeing your own face, five years younger, sweatily dancing up a storm in the crowd of some of these shows. But honest to god, these shows were some of the most defining of my life, and it's a thrill to see even more footage of them as well as hearing the band tell the story behind them. It's one of the most pleasant and intruiging "Behind The Music"'s you've never seen. This is how a concert film should be done.

View trailer here