Alt-rock legends Pavement are set to receive the biopic treatment, but their upcoming film offers a departure from traditional rock biopics. The latest trailer for Pavements introduces a project that blends multiple genres, describing itself as a “museum,” a “movie,” and a “reunion,” rather than a straightforward biographical narrative.
In the nearly three-minute trailer, Stranger Things actor Joe Keery stars as Pavement’s frontman, Stephen Malkmus. At one point, Keery jokes, “It’s good for my career, maybe win an award or something,” reflecting his lighthearted take on the role. “I can’t play Billy Joel,” he adds, humorously underscoring the film’s unique tone.
The trailer also highlights a star-studded cast, with Nat Wolff portraying Scott ‘Spiral Stairs’ Kannberg, Fred Hechinger as Bob Nastanovich, Logan Miller as Mark Ibold, Griffin Newman as Steve West, and Jason Schwartzman as Matador Records’ Chris Lombardi.
According to the film’s official description, Pavements is “a movie about Pavement the band—among other things.” Directed by Alex Ross Perry, known for Her Smell, the film presents itself as a documentary that blurs the line between fact and fiction. “It may or may not be entirely true, may or may not be totally sincere, and may or may not be more about the idea of the band—or any band—than a history of the short-lived, passionately loved, commercially marginal Nineties American alternative group Pavement,” the description reads. The film’s unconventional structure includes elements of a stage musical, rock biopic, gallery exhibition, archival footage, and contemporary observational content, reflecting the unique character of the band and their music.
Pavement, the California-based band, was active from 1989 to 1999, releasing five albums during that period. Their discography includes Slanted and Enchanted (1992), Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994), and Brighten the Corners (1997), the latter of which peaked at No. 70 on the U.S. Billboard 200. The band’s final album, Major Leagues, came out in 1999.
In December, Kannberg revealed on the Kreative Kontrol podcast that the Pavements soundtrack will feature the first new song from the band in over 25 years. “There will be a new Pavement song on the soundtrack, that’s all I’m going to give you,” he shared. “I just heard a mix of it today, and it’s pretty good. It’s not a big deal, it’s just cool because it’s something different, and it’s a song that we all kind of loved playing.”
Pavements will hit theaters nationwide on June 6.
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