SPILL FILM REVIEW: EVERY TIME YOU LOSE YOUR MIND: A FILM ABOUT FAILURE

EVERY TIME YOU LOSE YOUR MIND: A FILM ABOUT FAILURE

FAILURE FILMS INC. (DIRECTED BY KEN ANDREWS)

JUNE 27, 2025

Good rock ‘n’ roll documentaries are interesting creatures. The extremely good ones should appeal to viewers who are not necessarily fans of the band. Generally, fans of a particular band will enjoy a story about their favourite band, but it takes great skill to create a film that is not only watchable but enjoyed by people who may not be a fan or even know the band’s music. L.A.’s Failure formed in 1990 and released their debut album (Comfort) in 1992. Steve Albini produced the now classic album that was not a commercial success when it was released. But it is a very influential and much-loved album. The band also developed a fiercely loyal following that continues to this day.

The original 1990 lineup was Ken Edwards, Greg Edwards and drummer Robert Gauss, who left the band after their debut album. He was replaced by current drummer Kellii Scott.

Ken Edwards (who is the lead singer, bassist, guitarist and keyboardist for the band) tells his and the band’s story. Every Time You Lose Your Mind: A Film About Failure goes a long way in explaining the band’s appeal and their impact on other alternative and mainstream bands. And while this film is about Failure, it also serves as a timepiece of the 1990s and what was happening in music. The director allows the band to place themselves in the context of the 1990s indie scene and the alternative music genre, when really they were a rock band.

Interviews with the band, fans, and other artists sprinkle throughout the film which tells the story. There is no need for a narrator, the story is told. Interesting people are interviewed, such as Mötley Crüe’s Tommy Lee, Hayley Williams of Paramore, Jason Schwartzman, and Margaret Cho to name just a few. But this does go a long way to explore their impact on a diverse group of creative artists.

The thing about Every Time You Lose Your Mind: A Film About Failure is that it is also a story of survival and perseverance. The band split up in 1997 after releasing only three albums, and it took until 2013 to regroup. Upon their reunion, the band recorded three further albums and were embraced by the music world in the 2000s. Again, the film documents their ‘comeback’. The film is also about an enduring friendship and gives an insight as to how some bands function.

Every Time You Lose Your Mind: A Film About Failure is a lengthy documentary, clocking in at just under two hours, but it needs the time to tell the story. The interviews are informative and sometimes very entertaining. The use of music and the pacing of the film are excellent. Even if you are not a fan of the band, the documentary never gets boring and is consistently interesting. Devotees of the band will thoroughly enjoy the documentary, and it may bring some new people to the cult of Failure. And, for the record, they were never a failure, they were a big success. And Every Time You Lose Your Mind: A Film About Failure is an extremely well made and fascinating rock ‘n’ roll documentary.

The film is available via Disney+ and Hulu.

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