Fictional DIY punk band DUH are about to embark on their first tour – six shows in seven days, potentially ending with homecoming show supporting the mighty Queef Queens (it’s not often you see the word”queef” on Starburst – hope you enjoyed it!), whose drummer is the owner of a celebrated indie record label. Such exciting opportunities are rarely afforded to bands who have only just managed to record their first demo, so of course things go slightly awry before the tour even gets underway when the band’s van is repossessed and they’re stuck without transport. That’s until they come across Peckerhead – Peck to his friends – a gentle southern redneck who rather fortuitously owns a decent-sized van and agrees to drive the band and act as their roadie. What they don’t know about Peck, but will very quickly discover, is that he suffers from a condition that turns him into a cannibalistic monster every night at midnight…
There’s a crazy amount of chemistry between the four main cast members, and it’s easy to believe they might be a real-life band who have known each other for years. The band themselves are a thoroughly likeable bunch – not the usual cliche-ridden punk stereotypes you might expect, but a much softer, goofier and generally friendlier group of people (two girls and one boy, which is a nice subversion of the “norm”, too). We do, of course, meet a few detestable, self-centred and egotistical characters, but Peck will surely take care of them in good time.
Uncle Peckerhead is one of those low-budget films that manages to work absolute magic with its humble means. The casting, writing and cinematography are all tremendous, and the performances from everyone involved are just absolutely on point. It seems unfair to single anyone out when everyone plays their parts so perfectly, but David Littleton’s effortless, magnetic and charismatic turn as Peck is a real eye-opener, especially considering this is Littleton’s first ever leading role. If anyone’s looking for a “new” Sid Haig, this is 100% the man to look out for.
The Blu-ray includes a music video by The Holy Mess (DUH vocalist/guitarist Max’s real-life band), a 15-minute short film by Peckerhead director Matt Lawrence, and an audio commentary with the cast and crew which is full of the same sort of enthusiasm and warmth as the movie itself. Funny, gory, ridiculous and joyful, Uncle Peckerhead should be seen by anyone and everyone with an interest in punk rock and monster movies – two of the finest things in life coming together to form a super enjoyable 90 minute ride that won’t be quickly forgotten.
Release date: out now
