Can you say "tinitis?" (Or is it "tintinitis?") Whatever you call it, that persistant ringing in my ears started after my first "assignment" for CREEM—the MC5 at the Grande—where I naively staked out a spot in front of the stage, right next to the PA.

I picked up some earplugs for the Detroit premiere of the MC5 documentary, A True Testimonial, and I thanked God I wouldn’t have to stand up for the whole show. The premiere coincided with the 35th anniversary of the Zenta New Year party that saw the recording of Kick Out the Jams.

The house was crowded—the brothers and sisters had five seconds to get tickets to this sold-out event. A little doobage is appropriate... ahhh, that helps.

My companion summed it up in a sentance: "The movie and the group lasted a little too long." I agree, but I can't let it go that easy. It’s just a few hours after the show and I can't remember anything wrong with this film. I know I reacted negatively to several things, but I'll be damned if I can remember what.

A True Testimonial is to Detroit rock 'n' roll what Standing In The Shadows of Motown is to Detroit soul: definitive, essential viewing.

So I don't know how to say this gently... I wasn't close enough to the 5 to really feel their pain. I just can't help thinking of a few other bands whose story would be as interesting and entertaining when told with the Detroit rock scene of the '60s for a background.

Uncle Russ, who was given his props tonight, deserves his own documentary. So do Punch  and  Peter Andrews  and  Jeep  and  Bogaris  and  DMA  and  hell yes, Barry Kramer  and  CREEM—all Sirs Not Appearing In This Film.

OK, enough about what wasn't there. My ass couldn't have lasted if the movie had been any longer, anyway. It was definitely the 5's story, told accurately (I think) and entertainingly. The music is great as expected, and the glimpses of some of the supporting cast—Danny Fields, for example, are a trip.

It was also a big part of John Sinclair's story, and just listening to him in this documentary was one of the high points for me. Of course his words have significance, but I mean I just like that man's voice.

I guess I'm a "voice" fan. Dave Dixon, for example, had a voice I never grew tired of. (Geez, a documentary of the Air Aces would be cool.) Another of my fave voices, Danny Carslile's, was featured in a great on-air interview with the 5, and Rudnik  and  Frawley were in the credits (I didn't catch the category). But Papa John (he is a couple years older than me) has them all beat.

I remember a couple late-night visits to his Artist Workshop digs. I was still pretty straight, and I remember thinking that a lot of what he was saying politically was bullshit. But in a living room setting my feeble memory has twisted with the living room at the CREEM Complex on Cass, listening to John talking with friends, I found myself hanging on his words just because they sounded so good.

I also remember several visits to the Hill house a few years later. It was a fun place to hang out. Some of the disciples were a little weird and/or scary. But being not so straight by this time, I was able to appreciate their weirdness. I really enjoyed listening to John conduct band business, even when he was speaking on the phone. Hearing only his side of the conversation, I wasn't always sure what he was talking about, but he always entertained.

As expected, I didn't see John or Wayne at the Detroit Film Theatre. Then again, I didn't see many faces I recognized. But  I was glad to see Gary Grimshaw's contribution recognized  and  even more pleased that the audience acknowledged him as well. While I didn't spot myself in any of the great old concert footage, I think I spotted Davey Marsh peeking (peaking?) out from behind some speakers at one concert, and Charlie Auringer was definitely prominent on stage at the Tartar Field concert. Since I was with him that day, I don't know why I didn't get on camera. Damn, almost famous again. (Auringer was also in the credits—I can't wait to slo-mo the credits so I can see who else I missed besides über-MC5 fanatic Brian J. Bowe).

Anyway, if they ever get distribution for this flick, it's a must-see for CREEMies. If it ever gets to DVD it'll go right next to Almost Famous on my shelf.