“The Decline of Western Civilization III” - Full 1998 Documentary

DECLINE III is an unflinching look into the lives of the hardcore fans of punk rock in Los Angeles, 20 years later. Filmed over the course of 13 months , this 90 minute piece stands as the director's strongest work to date.

Whereas the first installment of the trilogy concerned itself with the birth of a new music genre, PART III focuses on the lifestyles and backgrounds of the fans. Many of them are homeless or occupy squats (abandoned buildings) as their living quarters. They simultaneously evoke emotions of deep empathy and severe distain, as they present a subculture that is impossible to ignore. DECLINE III delves into the underside of this subculture to indicate that Johnny Rotten’s “No Future” reference has taken on a new meaning.

The film is a strange coupling of comedy and tragedy, combining interviews with faithful fans, thought provoking accounts from those who have an intimate knowledge of the scene and live performances by underground bands: Final Conflict, Litmus Green, Naked Aggression, and The Resistance. Keith Morris (Circle Jerks), Rick Wilder (Mau Maus), and Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) compare the original late Seventies movement to present day punk rock. Unforgettable characters such as Why-Me?, Hamburger, Troll, Eyeball and Squid paint a seldom seen picture of life and death on the back streets of Hollywood.