Shihad - Beautiful Machine


At their height of success, poised on the edge of fame in America, and with millions watching, Shihad faced an impossible decision. In the words of frontman Jon Toogood: `We`ll forever be known as the band that changed our name.` What began in the backrooms of Wellington`s punk rock underground, with Toogood, Tom Larkin, Phil Knight and Karl Kippenberger coming together to form `a kickass band`, would see Shihad transplanted to Germany, Australia and eventually, the musical Mecca of the U.S. Encountering every obstacle in the rock book: drug abuse, tragic bereavement, alcoholism, fame’s distortions, relationships imploding under the pressure of constant absence, total breakdowns – the band would beat all of it, playing up to 150 shows a year, producing the most Top 40 hits in New Zealand history, and becoming the focus of a major bidding war.A wild ride from anonymity to being the next `It` band, and into the present day, Shihad: Beautiful Machine is an unflinching look at the elusive reality of a true rock dream.
  • Language: English
  • Censor Rating: M
  • Release Date: May 17, 2012
  • Duration: 110 minutes
  • Starring: Jon Toogood, Tom Larkin, Phil Knight, Karl Kippenberger
  • Director: Sam Peacocke


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