The Foo Fighters sit in the back of their old touring van. Photo by The New York Times.
Grohl’s new documentary, which he directed, explores what it takes for people to practically live in a van for weeks at a time, sometimes traveling hundreds of miles from show to show, and always on a tight budget.
The film also chronicles the early touring days of some of rock’s most enduring groups, including U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, and the Foo Fighters.
Those were the days before fame and big touring buses. Touring van bands have little money for the van (gas, repairs, parts, insurance, etc.) or even to get a room whenever possible to take a shower and crash on a bed; get some decent food; then, get shitfaced.
But they all stuck it out (one of the hallmarks of a great band) through all of the shit road bands go through, and especially back then when there were not the tech and conveniences many road bands have now.
In each case, little did the young and ambitious members of those bands know that their courage, commitment, and talent would lead to international stardom that few bands ever reach.
Grohl says he sought to capture the true essence of what it takes for four guys (or gals) to get into a van – a van, not a bus or RV – and tour and tour and play show after show and still stay together.
It sounds like a deep, yet unique, thing that only the people that have done it can understand. And that’s not hard to understand.
In fact, when you think about it, Grohl touches on a profound topic that affects so many bands. He includes some of them in the documentary as he told The Hollywood Reporter during a recent interview.
One of the top revelations folks are talking about is Grohl’s admission that he and the other Nirvana bandmates used to do whatever it took to prevent Cobain from driving.
Rolling Stone magazine has done a full write-up on 11 Things We Learned watching ‘What Drives Us.’
‘What Drives Us’ is available now and only on Amazon Prime’s Coda Collection, which requires a seven day trial.
Come on Dave – let’s not help Amazon own EVERYTHING.
