This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smears — the Foo Fighters — announced today that Spitfire Pictures is producing a feature documentary film about the Foo Fighters to be directed by Oscar- and Emmy-winner James Moll.
The film will be released theatrically this spring, coinciding with the Foo Fighters' seventh full length studio album. The film will premiere at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin.
From the press release: Moll's documentary film will chronicle the 16 year history of the Foo Fighters: From the band's very first songs created as cassette demos Grohl recorded during his tenure as Nirvana's drummer through its ascent to their Grammy-winning, multi-platinum, arena and stadium headlining status as one of the biggest rock bands on the planet. This chronicling of the Foo Fighters' triumphs and tragedies will culminate in an in-depth behind the scenes perspective on the making of the new album: A process in which the band pushed itself forward by going fully back to basics and recording in Grohl's garage completely on analog tape. No computers, no software - just a band recording an album to tape in a garage. The new record also marks the Foos' first full-length effort with legendary producer Butch Vig, with whom Grohl worked on Nirvana's classic album Nevermind. Former Nirvana member Krist Novoselic will also return along with other surprise guest artists.Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl says in the release, "In October of 1994, I walked into Robert Lang's Seattle studio with a guitar, a drum set, a bass, and 14 songs I thought nobody would ever hear. 5 days later I walked out with the first Foo Fighters record. 16 years and 7 studio albums later, with the help of Academy Award winning director James Moll, we're finally able to tell the story of how that one demo cassette turned into the band that we are today. This is our side of the story. From the first rehearsal, to the completion of our new album, it's all there. Through hours of interviews with all members of the band past and present, we tell you the truth and nothing but the truth. So help us Lemmy. Giving James mountains of never seen before footage, and unlimited access to the recording of the new record, the film presents an insight to the band never seen before (even to some band members!) and shows the process of making our new album, in my garage, totally analog, to 24 track tape machines. No computers. No auto-tune. No drum machines. Just real rock and roll. For me, it's like watching my life flash in front of my eyes. Except with a mouth full of popcorn and Hot Tamales. Hope you dig it. It's been a wild 16 years...here's to 16 more."