Unbelievably now a decade into their career, Stereophonics are the archetypal local boys made good. At least, that’s what this 90-odd minute documentary makes a fine job of having you believe. Three lads from a tiny Welsh village form a band (a couple, if you count early incarnations Zephyr and Tragic Love Company, home movie footage of which is here) and go on to headline Glastonbury and stadiums the world over.
It’s the classic rags-to-riches story and, to their credit, Kelly Jones and co have largely done it on their own terms, with very little recourse to the tantrums and nonsense associated with some of their contemporaries. Despite the predictable backslapping celebrities (Noel Gallagher, Jimmy Page, Paul Weller and Roger Daltrey are among those paying homage), what’s most striking is the protagonists’ lack of arrogance.
Produced by the band, it’s not warts-and-all but, even though the sacking of original drummer Stuart Cable is partly glossed over, this covers the bases well enough. Fans will salivate over the old and rare footage (one moment they’re schoolkids playing an AC/DC cover, the next they’re meeting Angus Young) and there’s 150 minutes of additional live material, including a thoroughly enjoyable hour of Jones’ solo acoustic tour to promote Just Enough Education To Perform.
