EL DUCE TAPES teaches us a variety of essential things. It teaches us that public indignation is a balance of bullshit and vitriol. It teaches us that punk sometimes fell into satire and did not realise this and most importantly, it teaches us that the art of documentary, is in the work. Director Ryan Sexton (who is the real director of the vision) compiles conversation, candid performances and all between. His eye is on the black masked man at the centre (El Duce or Eldon Hoke), a man of contradictions. His invention of Rape rock or Rape Core or Rape Punk is an aside to his personal issues.

Duce is a punk musician. Founder and lead singer of 80s shock metal band, The Mentors. He is an alcoholic. Sexton understands and asks. Hoke possibly suffered sexual abuse as a junior. Sexton footage albeit states it. Certainly Hoke had an unhealthy relationship with hard-core porn at a young age. His father and his relationship is probed without being swinging and accusatory. He had some saving grace. A nice guy off the grog. A natural talent. A drummer. Sexton deserves credit. He had deeper issue with Hoke and he restricted his gaze. Does EL DUCE TAPES contemplate on the development of and execution of the Trump presidency, Steve Bannon and the state of America? No. But that is something that we see now and it couldn’t be overcome today. An angry man in the media, as we see later. Is anathema to a nation. Trump took over where Hoke stated. And this is the maxim we should remember. Punk sometimes forget its satirical nuances. Well some wanted it to for the reason of affect. The problem is, many in, media groups took this and ran with it.

EXTRAS

The Ryan Sexton Tapes – This is the best piece on the disk bar none. It is telling about the mindset of the production, the mentality to grade the footage and what was to be achieved. Sexton is an interested person in his own right. Tim Kirk contribution is also well worth an eye being cast over as well btw.

El Duce Stories – More than a bit fun for the simple, aimless ranting of the man and his mind. What you start with is a mish mash of a tale. What you end with is a jumble of brain cells being detonated into oblivion but it is profoundly interesting in many ways. The Nilbog Tapes – I find the creative process can be astonishing and in this low grade footage, we get a little glimpse of it slowly churning and burning.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

• High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation
• Brand new audio commentary with The El Duce Tapes crew
• The Ryan Sexton Tapes – 34-minute illustrated audio conversation between Ryan Sexton and producer Tim Kirk about the shooting of the original VHS footage
• The Nilbog Tapes – Video of the band recording the original score for the film
• More El Duce Tapes – A free-standing alternate assembly of unused material, sort of a sideways sequel
• Tape 2: Hollywood Reservoir – A piece of raw tape providing a peek behind the scenes of the process of shooting the footage and a candid document of El Duce and Ryan’s rapport
• El Duce Stories – A humorous cut-up of a few of El Duce’s famously long aimless stories into one completely incomprehensible and endless word salad
• Return to Rape Rock Mountain – A brand new interview with Steve Broy, aka Dr. Heathen Scum of The Mentors
• Reality Check presents the all-female El Duce tribute band The Womentors
• Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by John Pearson and reverse art by Benjamin Marra

FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring new writing by Manish Agarwal