Electric Apricot (2007) User Reviews

Funny for musicians and music fans alike...

[MikeK1987 · 8/10 · 1 March 2010]

First let me get out this out of the way... Unlike most of the people who have previously reviewed this film, I'm not a fan of Les Claypool or Primus. I never really got into their music, although after seeing this film, I definitely have a whole new respect for the guy. Anybody who can do something that completely makes fun of their own art form, deserves a modicum of respect, because they are at ease with themselves and with the world.

I checked this film out on a whim. And I was hugely satisfied. This movie isn't laugh-out-loud hilarious, and in fact the jokes will probably only be found funny to mainly musicians or fans of the jam band scene. Myself, being a musician, and a fan of certain groups on that scene, found it to be hilarious.

Les Claypool does a great job as Lapdog, their overtly confident and technical freak of a drummer (and who knew Les could play the drums so well? I certainly didn't). The scene where he's discussing drums and drummers with Matt Abst of Gov't Mule is priceless! The other members of the group all have their quirks and ticks. Gordo especially. He has an idolatry of Jerry Garcia that is unmatched, to the point where he has a customized guitar to match Jerry's style (with a dash of Warren Haynes), has a tortilla that supposedly bears Jerry's image (which Bob Weir, in a quick cameo, quickly refutes as possibly just being Jesus, in his many appearances on food), and punches out a bartender who was talking smack about Apricot and Jerry. A little cinematic slap-in-the-face to the neigh-sayers, perhaps...?

Most of the cameos are spot-on. Seth Green and Matt Stone as "Tapers" arguing about which kind of microphone is better is absolute genius. Arj Barker as Apricot super-fan "The Cube" was a bit weak. It just seemed to me that he was essentially playing the same character that he plays on "Flight of the Conchords", although he can bring a big tray of "special brownies" to my house any day.

Dian Bachar (whom "South Park" fans will know as the voice of Satan's lover "Chris", or as 'Squeak' from "Baseketball") is probably the best cameo in the film. He plays an overeager music school graduate who longs to go on the road as Electric Apricot's roadie, which again for me hits home, since I am also currently in school for music and have done internships at recording studios. Not that I was ever overeager or anything like that, nor have I ever been sacked from a job for being overeager, but I do long to be on the road, but as a musician and not a roadie (although in the Philly indie music scene, we're our own roadies).

Overall the film is very well done, although some may be put off by the very specific jokes and references. But I assure you, if you liked Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind, or Bad News, you will love Electric Apricot.

Are you going to Burning Man?

[ElijahCSkuggs · 7/10 · 16 June 2008]

Like probably everyone else who ends up seeing this flick, I'm also a pretty big fan of Les. But mostly for his Primus work and his unique personality. I never knew he had a knack for making movies, and low and behold he dishes out Electric Apricot.

Electric Apricot is mockumentary on a jam band whose goal is to make an album and to just get big. To get big their manager wants them to play the Jam festival, Festeroo. I still don't know if it's a fictitious festival or not. Anywho, this is basically the story.

Electric Apricot is a good movie, but for this guy, it didn't really do much. I tend to notice the bad before the good, which is good and bad, but there was a surprisingly tedious, especially during the beginning. I was also disappointed with almost all the beginning cameos. The ones with Seth Green, Matt Stone and that dude from Flight of the Conchords. They all oozed, "We're acting." and I just didn't find it funny. The laugh at my funny-cube-dance bit.....gimme a break. And for the first half of the film I wasn't digging the band members either. Surprisingly, the best actor out of everyone involved was, of course, the most talented person in the film, Les. His acting was neurotic and funny. I won't completely say I disliked the acting by the band, because by the end I was into all the characters and I was enjoying the movie for what it was, a movie about a band with no limits, no fear and no clue. Which is exactly how this movie played out.

Oh, and a shout out to Choda Boy (Orgazmo anyone?). He was by far the most entertaining actor in the film. His scene when he gets in his car, was also the funniest part of the film.

Like I said above, I kinda thought the movie was boring at points. But it does hit a stride, and it wound up be pretty entertaining. And I didn't laugh but only about a handful of times, which kinda stinks. Electric Apricot should have a little cult-following behind it, and fanboys of Les, Jam fans and fans of Spinal Tap should probably get a nice kick out of it. Definitely a nice effort and overall achievement by first time director Les Claypool.

Glorious!

[saintkhalib · 10/10 · 28 March 2008]

I saw Les Claypool last night at the House Of Blues in Dallas, and I bought this for THIRTY smackeroos! But it's alright because it's a "limited collector's item" AND because it was absolutely glorious! The comedy is sharp and with the signature cleverness that inhabits all of the Colonel's writing. The culture of the modern jam band world is explored with a mighty thoroughness. A lot of inside jokes for Lesheads. Flouncin Fred, Gabby La La, and Gordo and Aiwass played by Mr. Kehoe Nation and Bob C. Cock respectively. I give it 10 out of 10 and can say I was wholly satisfied as a big Les Claypool fan and as an admirer of good flicks.

"Bound to be a cult hit!"

You know what to expect from Les Claypool

[jas2669 · 2/10 · 31 July 2021]

Here's one of my patented One Sentence Movie Reviews that some will take as discouragement and others as endorsement - Electric Apricot: Quest For Festeroo offers exactly what one would expect from a film helmed by Les Claypool of Primus: Terrible music that gets stuck in your head, jokes that are rarely funny, men who are even uglier beneath all that hair, and a devotional audience seemingly unaware of any of this.....

Best Mockumentary Since Spinal Tap - Possibly Better

[antonio_4346 · 10/10 · 13 March 2008]

When I bought my ticket, I wasn't prepared for the laughter I'd soon experience. Musicians are well known for their senses of humor, but Les Claypool really outdid himself. This guy's got it down; to make great music and great movies is a very admirable skill.

Even those who are not musically inclined will love this movie. Each character reflects their real-life counterparts, whom we all know and love.

If you laughed at Spinal Tap, you'll cackle and howl at Electric Apricot. This is, by far, the best film National Lampoon has had its name on--at least in the last ten years.

From an avid musician, this is a no-brainer to recommend all around.

Bad Troma flick

[Leofwine_draca · 1/10 · 24 May 2018]

ELECTRIC APRICOT is a cheap rip-off of THIS IS SPINAL TAP, a no-budget indie put out by Troma because nobody else would bother releasing it. It's another mockumentary following a bunch of long-haired rockers going around and forming a 'jam' band and trying to hit the big time. Expect a bit of music, exaggerated performances, and a lot of unfunny humour.

A Great Laugh Out Loud Movie

[dbiggler · 10/10 · 12 November 2007]

All the characters in this movie are hilarious! If you ever get a chance to see this movie I highly recommend it. National Lampoon has taken a giant leap in the right direction. Les Claypool is the comedic God of this generation.

Les takes you on a journey through the jam band underground. You get to know and love all the characters, as if they were your best friends. The Electric Apricot grows from playing coffee shops to playing Festeroo! You get to watch them as they record their first record, argue, fight, and get therapy. From tree houses to yoga, this movie entertains you in ways you never thought possible.

I've got one question-are you going to burning man?

[Jackpollins · 10/10 · 27 July 2009]

This is one of the few rockumentaries that lived up to the greatness of This Is Spinal Tap. The movie is definitely as funny as This Is Spinal Tap, mixing comedy with a great documentary feel. Very funny people such as Seth Green, Matt Stone, and Dian Bachar (who appeared in both Baseketball and Orgazmo) keep showing up, and making hysterical appearances. This movie is laid back, which is nice. I always love a movie that's not too in you face. It cleverly tells the story of the fictional band, Electric Apricot. It goes between the band talking about their history, and then concert scenes, as well as scenes with them doing their own thing as if they don't know that they are being recorded. The real genius here comes from how weird the band is. This is not your average, run-of-the-mill band. This is a band that is mentally aware of how weird they really are, and don't care how they look to people. Then there is the fact that the music is actually pretty fantastic, it is funny, but it is also good enough to be played on the radio. I highly recommend that anyone with a sense of humor go see this fantastic film.

I Wish Les Claypool Were My Father...

[sana-20 · 10/10 · 12 June 2008]

This movie is amazing. Simply put it is the greatest thing I've watched in last 21 years. Given, I am only 21 years old. That's just how amazing it is. I find it hard to believe that wasn't released in theaters. I'd imagine it would have made so much money. Everything about the film is fantastic. The only thing I could think of that would have made it better would have been more cameos by musicians/interviews with scene kids outside the Warfield, etc. This is really a great thing Les has done here. I pray he continues his efforts. He's a really, really funny guy.

I find it sad that you're reading this instead of watching the movie.

It's F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C.

A Wonderful Find and Beautiful Dryness

[zachfisher22 · 9/10 · 24 October 2018]

THIS FILM WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST COMEDY EXPERIENCES I'VE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF VIEWING.

The film definitely has slower points, but when it's fun ITS FUN. The perfect amount of satire is presented here, and I legitimately think Les Claypool struck gold when making this project.

Extraterrestrial food

[Michael-Malloy · 26 October 2011]

In the style of "This Is Spinal Tap," a pseudo-documentary film burlesque and improbable. Completely out of touch in the wonder-world of Hollywood California's artists, the band, victim of the industrial musical system, go on record for a so called tour in the countryside of the United States. No one really understands what happens once they turn up, they got lost in the maze of the high ! The scenario is just hilarious and Claypool, the extraterrestrial Bass-player of the legendary band "PRIMUS", gives us here a production from his planet ! An excellent unknown footage. Recommended for fans, freaks, curious of nonsense among others !