Turnstile: Never Enough (2023) is a documentary film by director Matt Yoka about the rise of the band Turnstile. It explores the band’s transformation from hardcore punk to mainstream success, the challenges of the music industry and their struggle to maintain artistic integrity.
Themes and Analysis
1. Tension between Hardcore Punk and Mainstream
o Turnstile comes from the DIY ethos of the traditional hardcore punk scene. However, reaching a wider audience with the album Glow On (2021) has led some old fans to label the band as “sold out”.
o The documentary questions this dichotomy: “Does an artist have to grow and evolve, or should they stay true to their roots?”
2. Authenticity vs. the Artificiality of the Music Industry
o Turnstile’s stage performances and studio recording processes show how their energy and sincerity are preserved in the mainstream music world.
o The band members (especially vocalist Brendan Yates) emphasize the need to “make your own rules” without rejecting commercial success.
3. Creative Freedom and Collective Spirit
o Hardcore punk is a genre characterized by solidarity and a sense of community. While the documentary shows Turnstile’s efforts to bring this spirit to big festivals (such as Coachella), it also asks the question “Do big stages kill this feeling?”.
o The band’s interaction with the audience jumping on stage is one of the scenes that shows how
the chaotic energy of hardcore is preserved.
4. Visual Aesthetics and Style of the Documentary
o The film breaks the traditional “coming-of-age” documentary format and reflects the band’s creative vision through experimental cuts, live performance footage and abstract scenes.
o The recording process, especially for songs like “Mystery” and “Alien Love Call”, shows how the
band combined psychedelic and funk influences with hardcore.
Critical Overview
– Positives: The documentary is impressive in that it captures the evolution of Turnstile’s music and stage energy. Especially the story of a band bending the “strict rules” of hardcore is inspiring.
– Shortcomings: The story could have been stronger if it delved deeper into the internal dynamics of the band (conflicts, personal struggles). Also, critics have criticized it as a “glorified trailer”.
Conclusion
Never Enough is not only a music documentary, but also a movie that seeks to answer the question “how do you define success in your own terms?”. Turnstile’s path is inspiring for anyone looking for the balance between art and commerce.
Featured Scenes:
– The band’s stage performances from a small hardcore club to Coachella.
– Their search for experimental sounds in their album recordings (especially the drum productions).
– Indirect responses to hardcore fans’ criticism that “Turnstile is not real hardcore anymore”.
The documentary symbolizes the artist’s never-ending search with the theme “Enough is never enough”.