June is affectionally celebrated as Black Music Month. But the celebration of Black music and musicians is far from over. Next, Criterion will offer subscribers an in-depth look at punk rock.
The Criterion Channel’s July music film offerings include Mark Christopher Covino and Jeff Howlett’s documentary A Band Called Death. The 2013 picture shines a light on the groundbreaking creative work of legendary Detroit band Death.
Founded by Hackney brothers, vocalist and bassist Bobby Sr., drummer Dannis, and late guitarist David, Death is long argued to be the first-ever punk band. In a collaborative poster on Instagram with Drag City Records, representatives for the documentary shared the exciting news.
“We are pleased to announce that the movie ‘A Band Called Death’ will be officially on the Criterion Collection Network beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2026,” wrote the rep.
A Band Called Death features never-before-seen footage and special appearances by Brian Spears, Robbie Duncan, and Alice Cooper.
Read the full synopsis of A Band Called Death below.
“Punk before punk existed, three teenage brothers in the early ’70s formed a band in the spare bedroom, began playing a few local gigs, and even pressed a single in the hopes of getting signed. But this was the era of Motown and emerging disco. Record companies found Deah’s music—and band name—too intimidating, and the group was never given a fair shot, disbanding before they even completed one album.
Equal parts electrifying rockumentary and epic family love story, A Band Called Death chronicles the incredible fairy-tale journey of what happened almost three decades later, when a dusty 1974 demo tape made its way out of the attic and found an audience several generations younger. Playing music impossibly ahead of its time, Death is now being credited as the first Black punk band (hell…the first punk band!) and is finally receiving their long-overdue recognition as true rock pioneers.”
A Band Called Death will be made available to The Criterion Channel subscribers on July 1, 2026.
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