A new documentary on the Dunedin sound has just hit the scene, offering an intimate look into the turbulent life of Shayne Carter, mastermind behind the Straitjacket Fits and Dimmer. Life in One Chord, directed by Margaret Gordon, is a fitting tribute to this musical maverick who defied conventions to forge his own path.
For those unfamiliar with Carter's story, it all began with Bored Games, a punk outfit he formed as 'Peter Putrid' in the late 1980s. The band soon evolved into the Straitjacket Fits, whose volatile mix of spiky songwriting and infectious jangle-pop captured the hearts of fans across New Zealand. Led by Carter's undeniable talent, the band was the perfect storm of creative chemistry – until it imploded due to internal strife, personal demons, and an indifferent audience.
Gordon's documentary delves into the early days of the Straitjacket Fits, their struggles with self-doubt and external pressures, as well as the untimely losses that shook the band's trajectory. The film expertly balances the highs and lows, showcasing Carter's unapologetic wit and raw emotion – a rare glimpse into his private life.
Carter himself seems to be the central figure in this narrative, with Gordon taking a more nuanced approach than simply painting him as an iconic rock star or tortured soul. Instead, she crafts a multidimensional portrait of a complex individual who has struggled with addiction, anger management, and an identity that oscillates between being part-Māori and white.
Gordon's focus on the creative process behind the Straitjacket Fits is refreshing, though it doesn't delve as deeply into Carter's personal struggles. When the band members share candid insights into their experiences – Francisca Griffin calls out Carter for his ' brat' tendencies, while John Collie acknowledges that the group had its fair share of ego clashes – it feels like a missed opportunity.
The documentary's visual and sonic palette, however, is where it truly shines. The aerial drone shots of Carter walking back to shore in Dunedin evoke a sense of homecoming, setting the tone for what's to come. Crystalator, Dimmer's abrasive debut single, explodes behind him like a sonic warning sign – an apt metaphor for Carter's life as a constant force of nature.
The footage of the Straitjacket Fits performing live is some of the best in the documentary, showcasing a raw energy that's hard to miss. Though it never quite reached arena status, there are moments where you're transported to what could have been: a scene-stealing performance at an outdoor festival in Palmerston North, 1994.
As the documentary ends, viewers are left with more questions than answers – but one thing is certain: Life in One Chord gives Carter's story a cinematic makeover that will resonate deeply with fans. If you're looking for a raw, authentic portrayal of a musical icon at his most turbulent and creative, this film delivers.
For those unfamiliar with Carter's story, it all began with Bored Games, a punk outfit he formed as 'Peter Putrid' in the late 1980s. The band soon evolved into the Straitjacket Fits, whose volatile mix of spiky songwriting and infectious jangle-pop captured the hearts of fans across New Zealand. Led by Carter's undeniable talent, the band was the perfect storm of creative chemistry – until it imploded due to internal strife, personal demons, and an indifferent audience.
Gordon's documentary delves into the early days of the Straitjacket Fits, their struggles with self-doubt and external pressures, as well as the untimely losses that shook the band's trajectory. The film expertly balances the highs and lows, showcasing Carter's unapologetic wit and raw emotion – a rare glimpse into his private life.
Carter himself seems to be the central figure in this narrative, with Gordon taking a more nuanced approach than simply painting him as an iconic rock star or tortured soul. Instead, she crafts a multidimensional portrait of a complex individual who has struggled with addiction, anger management, and an identity that oscillates between being part-Māori and white.
Gordon's focus on the creative process behind the Straitjacket Fits is refreshing, though it doesn't delve as deeply into Carter's personal struggles. When the band members share candid insights into their experiences – Francisca Griffin calls out Carter for his ' brat' tendencies, while John Collie acknowledges that the group had its fair share of ego clashes – it feels like a missed opportunity.
The documentary's visual and sonic palette, however, is where it truly shines. The aerial drone shots of Carter walking back to shore in Dunedin evoke a sense of homecoming, setting the tone for what's to come. Crystalator, Dimmer's abrasive debut single, explodes behind him like a sonic warning sign – an apt metaphor for Carter's life as a constant force of nature.
The footage of the Straitjacket Fits performing live is some of the best in the documentary, showcasing a raw energy that's hard to miss. Though it never quite reached arena status, there are moments where you're transported to what could have been: a scene-stealing performance at an outdoor festival in Palmerston North, 1994.
As the documentary ends, viewers are left with more questions than answers – but one thing is certain: Life in One Chord gives Carter's story a cinematic makeover that will resonate deeply with fans. If you're looking for a raw, authentic portrayal of a musical icon at his most turbulent and creative, this film delivers.
I just watched Life in One Chord about Shayne Carter and I gotta say, it's like a wild rollercoaster ride 
. The documentary is all about the ups and downs of his life with Straitjacket Fits, from their early days as Bored Games to their eventual breakups. It's crazy to think how one person can have so many talents and struggles all at once... I mean, the dude was a total genius songwriter, but also had some major demons 
. The documentary does a great job of showing both sides, though - it's not just about Carter being this tortured soul or iconic rock star, but more like who he is in real life 
.
, by the way. Those aerial shots of Carter walking back to shore? Mind-blowing 
. And can we talk about how raw and energetic their live performances were?! It's like you're right there with them on stage 
. My only thing is that I wish they'd dug a bit deeper into his personal struggles - some parts felt kinda glossed over 
. Still, overall, it's an amazing tribute to Carter's life and artistry...
! i love how it shows the highs & lows of his life w/ the Straitjacket Fits, their music is iconic 4eva 
. cant say i'm super sold on how much focus goes to his personal demons tho... maybe more context would've been lit 
. but the visuals & sound palette? WOW!!! that aerial shot of him walkin back to shore is like, what a vibe 
! gotta watch dis docu ASAP 
it's clear she wants us to see the complexity in him too, even if he can be a bit of a handful 
love how it shows the raw energy of the Straitjacket Fits live performances too 
that one scene in Palmerston North, 1994 though... feels like a missed opportunity to really delve deeper into their creative process 
. The way Margaret Gordon weaves his story together, it's all so refreshingly honest and raw – you can tell she's really trying to get at the heart of what makes Carter tick 
! Those aerial shots of Dunedin are like a character in themselves, capturing the moody vibe of the city perfectly. And that live performance footage? Forget about it, I'm still reeling from how raw and energetic it is 
.
. But overall, Life in One Chord feels like a triumph – a fitting tribute to a true original who defied convention and created something truly special 
.
, but that's what makes the documentary so interesting, right? 
. Can't they just give it to us straight and concise like? And what's with the obligatory "candid" moments where the band members are all sipping wine and being super introspective? Like, I get it, we want to see more of Carter's side, but can't we skip the awkward small talk too? 
. Newsflash: we already knew about Shayne Carter and the Straitjacket Fits, thanks for trying though.
. And what's up with all the "personal demons" talk? It sounds like they're trying to fit him into this whole tortured rockstar narrative 
! I'm still trying to process how intense Carter's life was 
, it really adds to the emotional weight of the film.
. It's crazy how much chemistry they had, even though they didn't make it as a band 
. But seriously, it's amazing to see how Carter has used his experiences to fuel his art, just like how our own struggles can shape us into better versions of ourselves 
.
. Overall, Life in One Chord is a must-watch for anyone who loves music, creativity, or just a good underdog story 
. And don't even get me started on the lack of explanation for Dimmer's abrupt change in style - it's like they just wanted to cash in on Carter's reputation 
. But what really got my attention is how they're framing Carter as this "complex individual" who's struggling with identity... yeah, sure, but I think they're trying to spin his white-māori identity crisis into some kind of profound artistic expression 
. It's like they're trying to sell us a narrative that's not quite adding up 
the cinematography is insane tho 
It's so cool to see Shayne Carter's story get the cinematic treatment it deserves 
I love how she shows his creative process behind Dimmer and Straitjacket Fits, too! 
It's like, you can see every note and lyric come to life 
I need more of that raw energy from the Straitjacket Fits performances 
! Who is Shayne Carter, btw? I've never heard of him before... Is he like, a famous musician or something?