Meal Tickets

Rock docos are nothing new, but Meal Tickets sets itself apart by baring the agonising reality that most musicians will never get their 15 minutes.

Director Mat de Koning exposes the soft underbelly of a Perth-born rock band working hard to make a name for themselves. So raw you can taste the stale beer, this musician's coming of age film parades us through a decade's worth of footage. From riding high off Screwtop Detonators' first US tour to the hangover that followed, we witness firsthand the tribulations of a band that goes much deeper than writing songs and playing shows.

Originally managed by Dave Kavanagh (ex-mentor to The Libertines), the Screwtop Detonators set down an arduous path in a ruthless industry. Sweat-soaked stage performances, crusty morning afters, and hilarious banter prove that growing up in front of the camera isn't always pretty. But that's why we're all watching.

Blood, sweat and tears in all its blemished glory, Meal Tickets is an unforgiving look into the eyes of the music industry beast. Ben Ward, Lee French, Mitch Long and Charlie Austen persevere with all the strength that youth allots. However, as the band matures, the itch for fame and fortune lessens, emotions harden, and priorities switch to something more palatable.

It's the intimate storytelling that has us all cheering for the Screwtop Detonators' success. The nuances between band mates, girlfriends, and one-time roadie Will Stoker (turned frontman) are crudely authentic, as Mat de Koning is a longtime mate of the rock-doc crew. The privileged relationship between band and filmmaker elevates the candidness that makes the film truly compelling. With over 700 hours of uncut footage, this level of documenting is nearly unparalleled in the "about the band" world.

Produced by longtime friend and celebrated producer Brooke Silcox, this music-driven doco is heralded as a must-see, narrating the idea that it's ok not to "win", and accepting that the journey is the actual prize. A gritty story all too familiar in the music industry.

Meal Tickets is part of the Revelation Perth International Film Festival, screening at 2.30pm Tuesday 18 Jul at Luna, Leederville.