What Poor Gods We Do Make: The Story and Music Behind Naked Raygun
Riot Fest Records / JBTV
3.5 of 5
Words: Marshall Dickson

Cited as a major influence to every accomplished Chicago proto-pop punk band from Rise Against to Alkaline Trio and even Fall Out Boy, Naked Raygun are the godfathers of melodic hardcore punk.  What Poor Gods We Do Make documents the bands historic run through the 80s & early 90s Chicago indie rock scene, including footage from their reunion shows at Riot Fest in 2006.

Full of interviews with band members Jeff Pezzati (vocals), Pierre Kezdy (bass), Bill Stevens (guitar) and Eric Spicer (drums), this DVD is more one band’s nostalgic retelling of their own history than a documentary film about them.  A candid conversation with Chicago noise rock legend Steve Albini gives insight into just how grass roots the whole windy city collective was.  Assigning a name, Ruthless Records, to releases by Big Black, The Effigies, Urge Overkill & Naked Raygun, the bands could appear to be “signed” to a label, when in effect they were all just friends looking for some national recognition.  What a grand idea!

I used to dream about one day seeing Naked Raygun perform live.  Too young to get into their shows when they came through town, I finally made flesh of my fantasy and saw them headline The Fest 6 in Gainesville.  Singing along to the “whoa-ay-oh-oh’s” of “Home of the Brave” at The Venue, then seeing vintage clips of the same musicians in this film, my vision quest for these standard bearers is complete.

Also included in this package is a 22 track CD featuring two shows from November 2006:  their reunion warm up gig at a small Chicago night club, Subterranean, and their majestic return to the stage at Congress Theater.