Foo Fighters Sonic Highways

Foo Fighters Sonic Highways

2014
Foo Fighters Sonic Highways
Foo Fighters Sonic Highways

Foo Fighters Sonic Highways

8.7 | en | Documentary

In this new series, Foo Fighters commemorate their 20th anniversary by documenting the eight-city recording odyssey that produced their latest, and eighth, studio album. Foo Fighters founder Dave Grohl directs the series, which taps into the musical heritage and cultural fabric of eight cities: Chicago, Austin, Nashville, Los Angeles, Seattle, New Orleans, Washington D.C. and New York. The band based themselves at a legendary recording studio integral to the unique history and character of each location. One song was recorded in each city, and every track features local legends. Even the lyrics were developed in an experimental, unprecedented way: Grohl held off on writing them until the last day of each session, letting himself be inspired by the experiences, interviews and personalities that became part of the process. Foo Fighters Sonic Highways is, in Grohl’s words, “a love letter to the history of American music.” Each episode delves into the identity of each city -- showing how each region shaped these musicians in their formative years and, in turn, how they impacted the cultural fabric of their hometowns. Every artist who appears in the show, regardless of genre or locale, started as an average kid with universal dreams of making music and making it big. Grohl made his feature film directorial debut in 2013 with the universally acclaimed Grammy-winning Sound City, a celebration of the human element in the creation and recording of music. Foo Fighters have won 11 Grammy Awards, including four for Best Rock Album, more than any other band. Premiering on the eve of Foo Fighters’ 20th anniversary, Foo Fighters Sonic Highways aims to “give back” to the next generation of young musicians. As guitarist and singer Buddy Guy, an interviewee from the Chicago blues scene, explains, “Everything comes from what’s come before.”

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Seasons & Episodes

1
0
EP8  New York
Dec. 05,2014
New York

Season 1 ends in New York with appearances by Joan Jett, Mike D and Chuck D.

EP7  Seattle
Nov. 28,2014
Seattle

While Foo Fighters set up to record with Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard at Robert Lang Studio, Dave Grohl chats with Lang, Duff McKagen (Guns N Roses), Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) and Nancy Wilson (Heart) about Seattle's northwest sound. Dave delves deep into Seattle's rich musical heritage and also interviews the co-founders of the famed Sub Pop Records.

EP6  New Orleans
Nov. 21,2014
New Orleans

Foo Fighters let the good times roll in the Big Easy when they take to the streets with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

EP5  Los Angeles
Nov. 14,2014
Los Angeles

Dave Grohl and Pat Smear visit legendary KROQ DJ Rodney Bingenheimer, then the Foos head to the desert to record with Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh at Rancho de la Luna.

EP4  Austin
Nov. 07,2014
Austin

Dave Grohl chats with Terry Lickona, executive producer of TV's 'Austin City Limits.' Dave delves into the roots of the Austin music scene: from the blues of Jimmie Vaughan, to the psychedelic rock pioneered by Roky Erickson's 13th Floor Elevators, to punk bands Scratch Acid and the Big Boys. He also discusses the impact of commercialization with guitarist Gary Clark, Jr.

EP3  Nashville
Oct. 31,2014
Nashville

The band heads to Nashville, Tenn. Dave sits down with Dolly Parton, Tony Joe White, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris and producer Tony Bown to discuss Nashville's musical influences. Foo Fighters prepare to record at Southern Ground studio.

EP2  Washington, D.C.
Oct. 24,2014
Washington, D.C.

Grohl continues his musical exploration in the Washington DC area where influential artists and producers describe DC's Go-Go, Funk, and Punk scenes.

EP1  Chicago
Oct. 17,2014
Chicago

Dave Grohl and friends discuss the rise of the famous Chicago music scene from the roots blues of Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy to the Rock and roll of Cheap Trick.

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8.7 | en | Documentary | More Info
Released: 2014-10-17 | Released Producted By: Diamond Docs , Roswell Films Country: United States of America Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website: http://www.hbo.com/foo-fighters-sonic-highways
Synopsis

In this new series, Foo Fighters commemorate their 20th anniversary by documenting the eight-city recording odyssey that produced their latest, and eighth, studio album. Foo Fighters founder Dave Grohl directs the series, which taps into the musical heritage and cultural fabric of eight cities: Chicago, Austin, Nashville, Los Angeles, Seattle, New Orleans, Washington D.C. and New York. The band based themselves at a legendary recording studio integral to the unique history and character of each location. One song was recorded in each city, and every track features local legends. Even the lyrics were developed in an experimental, unprecedented way: Grohl held off on writing them until the last day of each session, letting himself be inspired by the experiences, interviews and personalities that became part of the process. Foo Fighters Sonic Highways is, in Grohl’s words, “a love letter to the history of American music.” Each episode delves into the identity of each city -- showing how each region shaped these musicians in their formative years and, in turn, how they impacted the cultural fabric of their hometowns. Every artist who appears in the show, regardless of genre or locale, started as an average kid with universal dreams of making music and making it big. Grohl made his feature film directorial debut in 2013 with the universally acclaimed Grammy-winning Sound City, a celebration of the human element in the creation and recording of music. Foo Fighters have won 11 Grammy Awards, including four for Best Rock Album, more than any other band. Premiering on the eve of Foo Fighters’ 20th anniversary, Foo Fighters Sonic Highways aims to “give back” to the next generation of young musicians. As guitarist and singer Buddy Guy, an interviewee from the Chicago blues scene, explains, “Everything comes from what’s come before.”

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Cast

Dave Grohl , Taylor Hawkins , Pat Smear

Director

Kenny Stoff

Producted By

Diamond Docs , Roswell Films

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Reviews

natevanberkom I wish more bands would do this this show has really opened my eyes to more genres of music like for example i now love trouble funk and zac brown and fugazi but before this show i wouldnt even touch that kind of music this show isnt for every one but it is essential for everyone like me and maybe you
dennis-vanbart First of all, I have to make clear I do not play an instrument, can't read music I am merely an admirer of those who can.And this documentary explains a lot! On why musicians make choices, how they get inspired, how they get influenced. Besides that it explains a lot on how the USA evolved when it comes to music, how musical as well as political influences from different states and across borders brought us the music we love so much.A monument on music because this documentary really gives a good insight on how harsh the world of music is decade by decade. Showing respect to all the musical streams you can hardly imagine they even existed. A must see for everyone who wants to know why we listen to what we listen and how it deserved its footprint in history.piece of advice, grab a notepad and write down the names of the artists you have never heard of or almost forgot about. And don't forget that every episode comes to end which explains the lyrics of the songs which resulted out of this great project from the Foo Fighters.
Ester Shimada If you watched Dave Grohl's Sound City you already know how this is gonna go: You will be taken to a time where auto tune didn't exist, where the musician had to be great because he was great, not because he had a good producer that know's his way with a computer. He interviews music legends, and a lot of the episode revolves around Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters... You see how much they influenced Chicago's music community... You also get to know how Dave's love for Punk Rock started, and we thank his cousin Tracey Bradford for that, we wouldn't have Foo Fighters, and Nirvana as we know it if it wasn't for her. We also get to see how the interviews influenced the lyrics of the songs, we get little pieces here and there, and in the end, it all makes sense!I can't wait to see what it comes next, what will happen in New York, California, Texas, Washington and so on.
conceptoneproduction-1 In a day and age where social networking and other new-age website mediums are pointing a middle finger to artists who struggled to get where they are, Sonic Highways restores the inspiration that is slowly being lost. Today, the music world is being hacked by those who believe views from those looking into a computer screen is the best gratifying experience. The world of musicians only playing music for their own ears is getting lost into history. Now, people are wanting cameras around every note being played, so they can become the next online star who obtains the spotlight for a short amount of time.Dave Grohl begins this incredible journey by taking us to the old blues and punk rock routes of Chicago. He establishes the fact that many of the musicians didn't expect to gain a bigger audience than the 50 people crammed inside of a local club, or those listening on the side of a street. This is what I personally enjoy; fellow musicians who can enjoy music, without ever expecting it to leave the room. The gratification of playing it for a small amount of people, or just for yourself is greater than millions of views.Though the caparison to the online digital age isn't addressed, the feeling when watching this series is, "how I f**king miss those days." Watching Sonic Highways is like dusting off an old record while sitting in a room listening and remembering. The series is an inspiration within itself.