http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2015/06/penelope_spheeris_the_decline_of_western_civilization_the_finest_cinematic.html

“It’s not bullshit; there’s no rock stars now,” says a youngster named Eugene at the beginning of Penelope Spheeris’ 1981 documentary The Decline of Western Civilization. He’s speaking of the L.A. punk scene of the early 1980s, a musical underworld whose mythic iconoclasm has long since become, well, iconic, thanks in no small part to Spheeris’ landmark debut film. The Decline of Western Civilization is the finest cinematic distillation of punk ever made, not simply as music but as ethos. Featuring performances by X, the Germs, Black Flag, and the Circle Jerks, the film is frantic, caustic, electric, imbued with all the rage and love of a pogoing teen throwing punches at his friends. More than 1,000 fans showed up for the film’s L.A. premiere—after only two screenings (one at midnight and another at 2 a.m.), Police Chief Daryl Gates banned the film from the city.