What We Do Is Secret (DVD, 2008)

Damn, just finished this movie... Wonderful in every way! Shane West portrayed Darby Crash brilliantly. Many of the original Germs helped to accurately portray this movie that had the feel of an old documentary à la Decline Of Western Civilization. I highly recommend it to any Germs fans and any punk rock seedling with an interest in Punk Rock History.
I remember sitting in my friends bedroom as a kid singing Germ’s covers into an old tape recorder using a drum machine and guitar. I said one day I would name my kid Darby. It was Darby Crash who inspired us to release our unique individuality. All I can say is, “thanks!” This movie brought up some pleasant memories. Free Circle tattoos for everyone! :)

This is a great film that accurately depicts the rise and fall of the Germs. One of the most influential and ground breaking punk bands, The Germs revolutionized the punk scene in LA. The film's casting was perfect, even to the smallest details of the scenesters and what they actually looked like. Some facts were missing, some were exaggerated, but hey- it's a movie. Overall, I believe it's a phenominal piece of cult history that should be in everyone's collection.

its a take on a great punk band, first time i saw it i was like wow shane west can play a great darby crash, i saw the germs with shane west at warped tour 06 and hes excellent. i bought this for my boyfriend and because i would like to watch this movie at home and not on a computer screen. watch it!

I have just finished watching a film that left me feeling cheated. I wondered if Rodger Grossman ever read any of the books (or watched any footage) that talked about the Germs. I collect documentaries on music. I watch as many video snipp-its as I can find on line (that includes some of Mr. Grossman’s work to hype this film). I read as many of the books as I can on this musical genre. Mr. Grossman, did you REALLY read “Lexicon Devil”? You left out way to many interesting characters that assisted to build and destroy Darby Crash. What about Gerber, Trudie, Pleasant, Mary Rat, Hellin Killer, Donnie Rose or even Joan Jett (outside of being passed out at the set)? You had no problem discussing Darby’s interest with Hitler & Manson…but why not go into detail about his interest with other master brain washers like, L. Ron Hubbard, Friedrch Nietzche, Oswald Spengler & Benito Mussolini?

Would I recommend this film to others? To collectors of Germs memorabilia, the answer would be, “Yes”. I would have a hard time wanting to convince someone, who knows nothing about the Germs, to watch this movie unless they read “Lexicon Devil” and watched the Germs, “Media Blitz” video first. I am a film maker and I know you can’t tell every story…but you “Mr. Grossman” should have focused either on; just a story about Darby Crash; or just a story about the Germs. As far as the acting goes…what do you expect for LOW BUDGET? You get what you pay for. I suggest the viewer of this video go back and review the ending credits to see everyone’s executive producer “this & that” credits.

As a fan and historian I was left disappointed with the presentation of this video.