EPISODE 07: Every Third Thought, Super 8 & The Lost Art of Home Movies

Of Sound and Fury: The Music Behind the Madness

Apr 03, 2025

SUPER 8 FILM

When I was young, my parents documented our family life on Super 8 film. Vacations, backyard gatherings, loving moments with mom and dad. Our very own home-movie cinema. No directors, no retakes, just life, slightly overexposed and out of focus.

I can clearly remember the loud hum of the projector, the smell of the lamp’s heat, the sound of the film moving through the sprockets, the air particles dancing in the beam of light, the surreal magic of life’s events illuminating the screen, and the sound of the tape slap, end of scene.

In 1965, Super 8 film was released and was quickly adopted by many amateur film-makers. It featured a better quality image than standard 8mm and was easier to use mainly due to a cartridge-loading system that did not require reloading and rethreading halfway through.

PARIS, TX

Super 8 film had a hauntingly gorgeous quality, and its look helped define a generation. A perfect example of the qualities and emotional power of Super 8 exist in one of my all-time favorite films, Paris, TX. The footage, backed by Ry Cooder’s “Canción Mixteca,” reveals moments of a tragic relationship. Love, regret and longing. A gorgeous, tear-inducing scene psychologically propelled by the physical characteristics of Super 8.

EVERY THIRD THOUGHT

One night in NYC my friend Becca Ayers—the spoken word artist who appears on Short Stories Redux—showed me some of her family’s home movies. The super 8 footage was gorgeous, beautifully composed, and completely engaging. I asked her if I could use the footage for a video for “Every Third Thought,” the third track on the grassy knoll’s third album III.

The track features Thurston Moore (guitar), David Revelli (drums), Carla Kihlstedt (violin), Jane Scarpantoni (cello), and Roger Rosenberg (bassoon).

One last note: This footage was originally shot on Super 8 film, then later transferred to VHS. Eventually, I converted it to digital so it could be edited in Final Cut Pro. With each step, a little image quality was lost—like making a copy of a copy until the edges start to blur. But even with the imperfections, the essence of the original film still shines through.

SOMETHING OLD

ROBIN TROWER / “Bridge of Sighs” / 1974

This appearance introduced many UK viewers to Trower’s unique blues-rock sound, and the performance remains one of his most revered. It perfectly captures the essence of the “Bridge of Sighs” album—moody, expressive, and deeply atmospheric.

Many fans and guitarists still refer to this performance as one of the greatest live renditions of “Bridge of Sighs.” It showcases Trower’s ability to command a stage through feel and tone alone, rather than flashy playing.

SOMETHING NEW

IDLES / “War” / KEXP

IDLES’ “War” performance for KEXP in 2021 wasn’t recorded in KEXP’s usual studio. Instead, it was a remote session, filmed in a separate location due to pandemic restrictions at the time.

They don’t need an arena to bring their signature ferocity; their energy is inescapable no matter where they play. It’s a testament to why IDLES are one of the most compelling live bands today, capturing the raw spirit of punk with every performance.