The Fearless Freaks 18 years old

Equal parts punk and psychedelia, the Flaming Lips emerged from Oklahoma City as one of the most bracing bands of the late 1980s. The Fearless Freaks documents their rise from Butthole Surfers-imitating noisemakers to grand poobahs of orchestral pop masterpieces. Filmmaker Bradley Beesely had the good fortune of living in the same neighborhood as lead Lip Wayne Coyne, who quickly enlisted his buddy to document his band's many concerts and assorted exploits. The early footage is a riot, with tragic hair styles on proud display as the boys attempt to cover up their lack of natural talent with sheer volume. During one show, they even have a friend bring a motorcycle on stage, which is then miked for sound and revved throughout the performance, clearing the club with toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Great punk rock stuff. Interspersed among the live bits are interviews with the band's family and friends, revealing the often tragic circumstances of their childhoods and early career.

Credits

The Fearless Freaks Cast

Name Character
Wayne Coyne He was 44, now 63 years old as Himself
James Drozd as Himself
Dolly Coyne as Herself
Marty Coyne as Himself
Jonathan Donahue He was 39, now 57 years old as Himself
Beck He was 34, now 53 years old as Himself
Kenny Coyne as Himself
Steve Burns He was 31, now 50 years old as Himself
Tommy Coyne He was 42, now 61 years old as Himself
Bradley Beesley He was 104, now 123 years old as Narrator

The Fearless Freaks Crew

Name Department
Bradley Beesley as Director. He was 104 (now 123) years old Directing
Scott Booker as Producer. Production
Alan Novey as Camera Operator. Camera
Damon Cook as Producer. Production
Andrew Mayer as Editor. Editing
Ryan Dolan as Executive Producer. He was 19 (now 38) years old Production
Rick Fuller as Producer. He was 38 (now 57) years old Production
Dan Jacunich as Executive Producer. Production
JoLynn Garnes as Editor. She was 25 (now 44) years old Editing
Benjamin Lowry as Sound mixer. Sound
The Fearless Freaks poster
The Fearless Freaks (18 years)

  • Release day: Wednesday, May 25, 2005
  • Runtime: 100 minutes