Blending new concert footage with archival material and interviews, Philipp Fussenegger and Judy Landkammer’s watchable and illuminating documentary tells the transformative journey of Canadian Merrill Nisker from children’s music teacher at the YMCA to dynamic punk performer named Peaches after her relocation to Germany. Filmed during the “Teaches of Peaches Anniversary Tour” in 2022, the film provides an intimate look at the inner workings of the tour and what drives the performer.
While the structure of Teaches of Peaches is straight-forward and traditional, it does offer real insight into what makes Peaches tick as she reflects on her work and musical trajectory as a feminist musician, producer, director and performance artist. From the inception of the stage show to the rigorous rehearsals and riveting performances, the film weaves in archival footage with interviews, allowing space for Peaches to discuss her work, collaborations and enthusiasms.
Born in Ontario, Peaches began her musical career in the 1990s as part of the folk trio Mermaid Cafe. After a stint as a music teacher at the YMCA she helped establish a rock band, subtly named Shit, alongside Chilly Gonzales (aka Jason Beck), bassist Sticky Henderson and Dominique Salole (Mocky). Eventually heading to Europe, she reunited with Gonzales, who remembers how playing in Berlin allowed a platform for their “wild, child-like, punk abandon.”
The film sees Peaches and her band ready themselves for being on tour – as her partner Black Cracker comments “when on stage she is on fire, but can take time to get going” – with Peaches discussing how she created her acclaimed The Teaches of Peaches album.
Berlin became the perfect creative home for her and she started making Super 8 films with her collective the 2.4.5. She recalls how – against the musical odds – she ended up performing her provocative single Set It Offon the seminal BBC pop programme Top of the Pops. Garbage singer Shirley Manson stresses how Peaches was never going to be the right fit for Top of the Pops – in the end her performance was deemed too racy to be aired – as well as the importance of Peaches’ signature song Fuck the Pain Away for a punk generation.
Peaches further recalls signing a contract with Sony following the release of The Teaches of Peaches, even ending up making a large-budget music video for the film Set It Off, only for Sony to subsequently drop her from the label.
The Canadian punk star is a forthright advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and tackles issues of sexuality and gender identity within her songs and vibrant (and highly sexualised) stage performances, and has spent more than two decades challenging gender expectations. The film celebrates her work through impressively shot concert footage that sees her still brimming with energy as fans continue to embrace her punk sensibility.
Germany, 2024, 102mins
Dirs: Philipp Fussenegger, Judy Landkammer
Production: avanti media fiction
International sales: Magnetfilm
Producer: Cordula Kablitz-Post
Scr: Cordula Kablitz-Post, Schyda Vasseghi
Cinematography: Dino Osmanović
Editor: Judy Landkammer
With: Peaches, Leslie Feist, Chilly Gonzales, Shirley Manson, Charlie Le Mindu
