David Markey

Directing

David Markey

Born 1963-12-03 · Burbank, California, U.S.

David Markey (born December 3, 1963 in Burbank, California) is an American film director. As a self-taught filmmaker and musician, Markey directed, produced, edited, and photographed most of his films, the majority of which has been self-funded and distributed. His work documents the punk scene in Southern California throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Markey has worked with Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Mudhoney, Redd Kross, Circle Jerks, The Ramones, Black Flag and the Meat Puppets.

Acting credits

1991: The Year Punk Broke poster
6.8

David Markey's documentary of life on the road with Sonic Youth and Nirvana during their tour of Europe in late 1991. Also featuring live performances by Dinosaur Jr, Babes in Toyland, The Ramones and Gumball.

1991: The Year Punk Broke

1992

Citizen Tania poster
7.0

The Symbionese Liberation Army kidnaps Patty Hearst, but Patty is all-too-willing to join them, in this strange docudrama by renowned artist Raymond Pettibon.

Citizen Tania

1989

Lou Believers poster
NR

Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, and Lou Reed roam the streets of Los Angeles searching for James Woods.

Lou Believers

1988

The Slog Movie poster
8.3

A raw and unparalleled DIY documentary about the West Coast Punk scene made by a group of young fans/filmmakers about the bands they loved.

The Slog Movie

1982

Desolation Center poster
9.3

The untold story of a series of Reagan-era guerrilla punk and industrial desert happenings in Southern California that are now recognized as the inspiration for Burning Man, Lollapalooza, and Coachella. Interviews and rare performance footage of Sonic Youth, Minutemen, Meat Puppets, Redd Kross, Einstürzende Neubauten, Survival Research Laboratories, Savage Republic, Swans and more.

Desolation Center

2018

Lovedolls Superstar poster
4.0

The Lovedolls return from their untimely demise in this 1986 sequel to "Desperate Teenage Lovedolls". Patch Kelley (Janet Housden) becomes Patch Christ, the leader of an acid-damaged religious cult who rescues has been Kitty Karryall from a boozy, wasted life. Rocking by Redd Kross, Sonic Youth, Meat Puppets, Dead Kennedys, & more! You can't kill a Lovedoll, babe... because Superstars never die!

Lovedolls Superstar

1986

Weatherman '69 poster
10.0

Featuring a cast that includes Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore, Mike Watt of the legendary hardcore band Minutemen, and Pettibon himself, this deadpan narrative pays dubious homage to the 1960's radical underground. In this crudely rendered home video of a commune of stoned revolutionaries, the cameras are hand-held, the edits in-camera, and the dialogue is wryly on-target. Pettibon's band of outsiders reenacts a countercultural moment defined by rock music, drugs, and ideological paradox — and in so doing, captures their own late-80's West Coast grunge milieu as well.

Weatherman '69

1989

Flipside Video Fanzine Number 1 poster
NR

1 Social Distortion– Under My Thumb 2 Social Distortion– 1945 3 Social Distortion– Playpen 4 The Vandals– Anarchy Burger 5 The Vandals– Hocus Pocus 6 Sin 34– Trip To San Francisco 7 Black Flag – Rise Above 8 Black Flag – Louie Louie 9 RF7– Vampire Lady 10 MDC – Police Riot At Mendiolas 11 Descendents – Hey Hey 12 Descendents – Bikeage 13 Descendents – Jean Is Dead 14 D.I.– Ballroom Blitz 15 D.I.– Richard Hung Himself 16 True Sounds Of Liberty*– Code Blue 17 Circle Jerks– Just Like You 18 Circle Jerks– Put A Little Love In Your Heart 19 Hüsker Dü– Everything Falls Apart 20 Youth Brigade– Sink With California 21 Blak Flaag– Ride The Bus

Flipside Video Fanzine Number 1

Rap Damage poster
NR

Thurston on a bender. Shot one day during a break on the Ragged Glory Tour. Hip Hopped-up NYC roadie Maurice Menares plays the psychotic sidekick/bunny. Offensively endearing, in the face of P.E., N.W.A., REM, and Desert Storm. Chance occurrence of fire, predating the LA riots. Stopping at yard sales, ended up on Venice beach. By the end of the day, I went nuts. Keep in mind, this was at a time when "Rico Suave" by Gerrardo was in heavy rotation.

Rap Damage

1991

(This Is Known as) The Blues Scale poster
7.0

While planning the eventual DVD release for "1991: The Year Punk Broke", Dave Markey cut a 40-minute film out of unused footage to create a companion piece to include. The film was also shown to a handful of lucky audiences before the DVD's eventual release in 2011. It's an awesome bonus with tons of great footage that could have easily been in the film. These songs were probably the best to leave out of the full-length film, since 2 were brand new and still quite shaky. The only tour staple not accounted for in either film is "Mary-Christ". Here are the sources I could determine: Inhuman - ?? White Kross - 08/27/91 Bremen Orange Rolls, Angel's Spit - 08/24/91 Koln In Bloom (Nirvana) - 09/01/91 Rotterdam Eric's Trip - 09/01/91 Rotterdam (but spoken intro is from 08/25/91?) Tunic snippet - 08/27/91 Bremen Chapel Hill - 08/27/91 Bremen

(This Is Known as) The Blues Scale

2004

Above, Beneath and Beyond the Valley: The Making of a Musical-Horror-Sex-Comedy poster
8.0

Retrospective documentary about the making of the 1970 cult film "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls."

Above, Beneath and Beyond the Valley: The Making of a Musical-Horror-Sex-Comedy

2006

Sonic Youth: Corporate Ghost poster
6.2

A compilation of 24 music videos by Sonic Youth ranging from 1990 to 2002. Collaborators include Harmony Korine, Spike Jonze, Todd Haynes, Mark Romanek, Richard Kern, and more.

Sonic Youth: Corporate Ghost

2004

The Book of Manson poster
10.0

Charles Manson, claiming to be the Second Coming, leads his young followers down the path of sex and murder in this bizarre homage by renowned artist Raymond Pettibon.

The Book of Manson

1989

Behind the camera

Desperate Teenage Lovedolls poster
5.2

Two girls rediscover their love for playing rock, find a drummer and begin practicing. When one of their mothers intervenes, they run away from home and are forced to fend for themselves on the streets against gangs and rival bands. Soon they are discovered and taken under the wing of rock manager Johnny Tremaine (played by Steven McDonald) who uses them for sex and his own aspirations of wealth. The Love Dolls set out to get revenge on those who have wronged them, and rise to the top of the rock world.

Desperate Teenage Lovedolls

1984

The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell poster
NR

Bill Bartell was a multifaceted individual who traversed the punk rock scene, law enforcement, rodeo riding, and country music. Known for his unique contribution to punk rock through his label Gasatanka Records and band White Flag, Bartell's life defies conventional boundaries, blending hyper-masculinity with subcultural rebellion. His story, filled with mysterious and seemingly contradictory roles, offers a compelling narrative about identity, transformation, and the unexpected paths life can take.

The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell

2025

Reality 86'd poster
7.0

Three bands and crew (a combined total of 13 individuals), 2 Dodge Ram extended cab vans, one equipment truck, one PA system traverse the continental US for six months. A road documentary shot from the inside of the last Black Flag tour ever (the 1986 “In My Head” US tour.) Featuring behind the scenes proceedings and live performances from Black Flag, Painted Willie, and Gone. David Markey was along for the entire trip as the drummer / singer for Painted Willie, documenting the six month tour with his Super-8 camera as it happened. Also features roadie Joe (“Planet Joe”) Cole, soundmen Davo Claasen and Dave “Ratman” Levine, and the tour manager who kept it all together, Mitch Bury. A crucial turning point in American underground rock. The end of the line for a trail blazing American band. Shot in 1986 and completed by director David Markey in 1991 for We Got Power. (futuristika.org)

Reality 86'd

1991

1991: The Year Punk Broke poster
6.8

David Markey's documentary of life on the road with Sonic Youth and Nirvana during their tour of Europe in late 1991. Also featuring live performances by Dinosaur Jr, Babes in Toyland, The Ramones and Gumball.

1991: The Year Punk Broke

1992

Sonic Youth: Corporate Ghost (The Videos: 1990-2002) poster
NR

A collection of music videos by Sonic Youth, spanning from 1990 to 2002.

Sonic Youth: Corporate Ghost (The Videos: 1990-2002)

2004

Citizen Tania poster
7.0

The Symbionese Liberation Army kidnaps Patty Hearst, but Patty is all-too-willing to join them, in this strange docudrama by renowned artist Raymond Pettibon.

Citizen Tania

1989

Lou Believers poster
NR

Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, and Lou Reed roam the streets of Los Angeles searching for James Woods.

Lou Believers

1988

Cut Shorts poster
8.0

A collection of short films and music videos from independent filmmaker David Markey, from 1974 to 2004.

Cut Shorts

2006

The Slog Movie poster
8.3

A raw and unparalleled DIY documentary about the West Coast Punk scene made by a group of young fans/filmmakers about the bands they loved.

The Slog Movie

1982

Lovedolls Superstar poster
4.0

The Lovedolls return from their untimely demise in this 1986 sequel to "Desperate Teenage Lovedolls". Patch Kelley (Janet Housden) becomes Patch Christ, the leader of an acid-damaged religious cult who rescues has been Kitty Karryall from a boozy, wasted life. Rocking by Redd Kross, Sonic Youth, Meat Puppets, Dead Kennedys, & more! You can't kill a Lovedoll, babe... because Superstars never die!

Lovedolls Superstar

1986

Grunge Pedal poster
NR

Starring Vehicle for Free Kitten. Kim Gordon, Julie Cafritz, & Mark Ibold lounge on suburban lawns, jamming a guitar effects box & Japanese beat boxes. Thurston reads lyrics off Public Service (early 80's L.A. hardcore compilation), and Saccharine Trust's "Pagan Icons". Mark, in English accent, reads bio penned by Byron Coley.

Grunge Pedal

1993

Goo poster
5.7

In 1991, a long-form music video version of Goo was released on VHS and LaserDisc. A music video for each song from the album was included; the track listing was identical to that of the original album.

Goo

1991

Dinosaur Jr: Bug Live at 930 Club poster
NR

Through an online contest, six fans were selected to film Dinosaur Jr. performing Bug in its entirety at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC in June 2011. Under the awesome direction of Dave Markey (The Year Punk Broke), “In the Hands of the Fans” brings the fans closer to the band and the music closer to you.

Dinosaur Jr: Bug Live at 930 Club

2012

Skeeno H.C. Rules poster
NR

Sonic Youth play hockey arena w/ Neil Young in Reno, Nevada. Ten years earlier 7 Seconds recorded the earnest hardcore classic "Skins, Brains, & Guts" EP. The town was known as Skeeno. Audio recorded especially for the film by Society's Ills, a band consisting of Mike Watt (bass), Thurston (vocals), Dez Cadena (guitar), & David Markey (drums), who cover said EP.

Skeeno H.C. Rules

1991

Rap Damage poster
NR

Thurston on a bender. Shot one day during a break on the Ragged Glory Tour. Hip Hopped-up NYC roadie Maurice Menares plays the psychotic sidekick/bunny. Offensively endearing, in the face of P.E., N.W.A., REM, and Desert Storm. Chance occurrence of fire, predating the LA riots. Stopping at yard sales, ended up on Venice beach. By the end of the day, I went nuts. Keep in mind, this was at a time when "Rico Suave" by Gerrardo was in heavy rotation.

Rap Damage

1991

(This Is Known as) The Blues Scale poster
7.0

While planning the eventual DVD release for "1991: The Year Punk Broke", Dave Markey cut a 40-minute film out of unused footage to create a companion piece to include. The film was also shown to a handful of lucky audiences before the DVD's eventual release in 2011. It's an awesome bonus with tons of great footage that could have easily been in the film. These songs were probably the best to leave out of the full-length film, since 2 were brand new and still quite shaky. The only tour staple not accounted for in either film is "Mary-Christ". Here are the sources I could determine: Inhuman - ?? White Kross - 08/27/91 Bremen Orange Rolls, Angel's Spit - 08/24/91 Koln In Bloom (Nirvana) - 09/01/91 Rotterdam Eric's Trip - 09/01/91 Rotterdam (but spoken intro is from 08/25/91?) Tunic snippet - 08/27/91 Bremen Chapel Hill - 08/27/91 Bremen

(This Is Known as) The Blues Scale

2004

Circle Jerks: My Career as a Jerk poster
NR

From the beginning, LA punk band the Circle Jerks were rooted in controversy. Formed by ex members of Black Flag and Red Cross (now Redd Kross) in late 1979, the band came to encapsulate the image, sound and energy of California Hardcore Punk. Filmmaker David Markey (1991: The Year Punk Broke, The Slog Movie) mixes in-depth interviews, rare live footage and historical perspective to illustrate the story of one of the most influential bands in the American underground. My Career as a Jerk follows the band from their early days and classic debut to navigating the independent label and touring scene of the 80s to the addictions, fights and injuries that forced their break up. Of course the story doesn't quite end there.

Circle Jerks: My Career as a Jerk

2012

Circle Jerks: My Career as a Jerk poster
NR

From the beginning, LA punk band the Circle Jerks were rooted in controversy. Formed by ex members of Black Flag and Red Cross (now Redd Kross) in late 1979, the band came to encapsulate the image, sound and energy of California Hardcore Punk. Filmmaker David Markey (1991: The Year Punk Broke, The Slog Movie) mixes in-depth interviews, rare live footage and historical perspective to illustrate the story of one of the most influential bands in the American underground. My Career as a Jerk follows the band from their early days and classic debut to navigating the independent label and touring scene of the 80s to the addictions, fights and injuries that forced their break up. Of course the story doesn't quite end there.

Circle Jerks: My Career as a Jerk

2012

Shonen Knife Blast Off! poster
NR

Travel the USA with Osaka Japan's beloved Shonen Knife, and see the sights through their eyes and hear the band at their best. Dave Markey hits the road with the band on their 1997 US tour and documents an amazing assortment of concerts, record in-stores, plus tons of behind the scenes footage. Join Naoko Yamano, her sister Atsuko Yamano, and Michie Nakatani on stage and off, performing "Explosion","Wind Your Spring", "E.S.P.", "Fruits & Vegetables", "Frogphobia", "Buddha's Face", "Lazybone" & more. Watch them win over American fans, and play to the biggest audiences of their career stateside . This VHS and DVD was released by Universal Japan and is unfortunately currently unavailable.

Shonen Knife Blast Off!

No artwork available
NR

Written and directed by the then-16 year old David Markey, shot on Super-8 film in his Santa Monica neighborhood. What began as a parody of 1970's horror films "The Omen" & "Carrie" soon shifted into something entirely of its own. Shot over the span of a year on saved milk money from school. A labor of love.

The Omenous

No artwork available
NR

American horror short from 1975. Directed by David Markey.

The Devil's Exorcist

1975

No artwork available
5.3

A hilarious and oddly moving look at the exploits of celebrity look-a-likes and film character performers on Hollywood boulevard over the span of a year.

The Reinactors

2008

Summer Has Been Over for a Long Time poster
NR

A young man watches the bikinis and boogie boarders around him but just can't relate.

Summer Has Been Over for a Long Time

1980