RAMONES RAW-DVD

DEBUTS AT #5 ON BILLBOARD TOP MUSIC VIDEOS CHART,

MARKING HIGHEST-EVER CHARTING RELEASE

FOR THE WORLD FAMOUS RAMONES;

DVD CONTINUES TO EARN VAST CRITICAL ACCLAIM

IN THE U.S. AND OVERSEAS

“…fans of punk’s godfathers won’t be disappointed by the new DVD Ramones Raw. Featuring more than five hours of rare material–including a 1980 concert in Vatican City and home movies from the band’s later tour of South America–the film offers a surprisingly candid look at one of the most important bands in rock.”

–Morrison White, REVOLVER, (November 2004)

RAMONES RAW (Image Entertainment)–the first DVD from the world famous Ramones–is off to a strong start by debuting at #5 on the Billboard Top Music Videos chart, marking the highest-ever charting release in the pioneering group’s 30-year history. The just-released DVD is topping the music video charts at Tower Records (#1) and ranked #3 in overall DVD sales at Virgin Megastore (just behind Stars Wars Trilogy). In addition, RAMONES RAW is storming its way through Europe with equally strong debuts: U.K (#5), Italy (#5), Sweden (#3), France (#4) and Germany (#7).

To kick-off the DVD release, MARKY RAMONE and RAMONES RAW director JOHN CAFIERO appeared at an in-store signing in Times Square at the Virgin Megastore in New York (September 29). The duo signed copies of RAMONES RAW for over three hours for the masses of Ramones fans who attended the event. Overseas, RAMONES RAW made its U.K. premiere with a sold-out screening at the 12^th annual Raindance Film Festival in London.

In his three-and-a-half (out of four) star review for GUITAR ONE, writer Bob Gulla hailed, “The first officially authorized Ramones video is a joyride through the punk act’s 1980 European tour, where ‘fan’ truly was short for ‘fanatic.’ There’s a nice mix of silliness and music, during which they bear down on three chords, leaving only a cloud of dust in their wake” (December 2004). Writing in HARP magazine, Randy Harward praised, “Thanks to this DVD, we get to ride with the band from their gabba-gabba-heday to 1996 and feel like insiders as the ‘Mones endure their equivalent of Beatlemania and just be themselves…” (December 2004).

With over five hours of rare material spanning the RAMONES’ history-making career (circa 1979-1996), RAMONES RAW offers fans an unprecedented look at the inner-workings of JOHNNY, JOEY, DEE DEE, MARKY and CJ. Described by writer James Moreland in the LA Weekly (8/6/04) as “relentlessly satiating,” RAMONES RAW offers a glimpse into the madness and mayhem of one of the world’s most legendary punk rock bands. Packed with 20 vintage live performances including “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “I Wanna Be Sedated” “Judy Is A Punk” and “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker.”

Check out what other critics are saying about RAMONES RAW:

“On their first official DVD, the godfathers of punk appear on some downright strange TV shows, play adolescent pranks and shred through their live performances. Best of all is ‘I Ramones’, a long-unseen 1980 show taped for Italian television. Play it loud enough, and Judy won’t be the only punk in town anymore.”

–Saul Austerliz, ROLLING STONE, (October 14, 2004)

“The Ramones, themselves loving satirists of America’s trash culture, reflect upon their circumstances with a wry, winning wit in their trademark impenetrable New York Brogue…The supplemental material is impressive, a deep, rewarding archive of punk ephemera as befits these unrepentant kings of trash.”

–Stevie Chick, LONDON TIMES, (October 2, 2004)

“Ramones Raw is a fitting, fast-paced funny retrospective on the lovable lunkheads’ career…many of the live cuts are seen here for the first time, including vintage 1980 footage from Rome’s Castle St. Angelo, starting, of course, with the classic ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’ and its “Hey Ho! Let’s Go!” intro. The stripped-down power of the Ramones shines through as they remake rock ‘n’ roll with three chords and four black leather jackets. Together, they put a funny face on the threatening, angry punk movement, making it more accessible to mainstream rock fans who quickly took to their buzz-saw guitar, throbbing bass and simple yet steady drum beats.”

–Wayne Parry, ASSOCIATED PRESS, (September 28, 2004)

“…the DVD Ramones Raw (out September 28^th) is downright hilarious. The collection features rare live footage and slice-of-life material shot mainly by Marky while on tour in the late Eighties and Nineties.”

–Matt Hendrickson, ROLLING STONE (September 30, 2004)

“For Ramones fans, this is the Captain’s Platter, the deluxe package of live footage, interviews, TV performances, candid backstage moments and the kitchen sink (copious special features and Eater eggs) they’ve been waiting for. But the all-inclusiveness isn’t the chief charm of Ramones Raw. Thanks to this DVD, we get to ride with the band from their gabba-gabba-heday to 1996 and feel like insiders as the ‘Mones endure their equivalent of Beatlemania and just be themselves, so we can see them apart from their shaggy superhero images. And that’s just priceless.”

–Randy Harward, HARP, (December 2004)

“The DVD’s main feature plays like a lighthearted scrapbook of the Ramones…the prize bonus is ‘I Ramones,’ a half-hour of concert footage captured in Rome in 1980, just after the release of the band’s Phil Spector-produced album, End of the Century. Shot on film, it laid forgotten in the vaults of an Italian television station for two decades after its one-time broadcast.”

–Barry Jeckell, BILLBOARD.COM (August 6, 2004)

“If a clip of the Ramones meeting The Munster’s Al “Grandpa” Lewis doesn’t cause heart palpitations, maybe the priceless prime-era concert footage will entice you to pick up the O.G. punks’ first authorized DVD release.”

–Marc Weingarten, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY (September 17, 2004)

“This DVD will fulfill any Ramones fantasy of what it was like to get in the van with the seminal punk act.”

–Edward E. Solis, MEAN STREET, (October, 2004)

“This video scrapbook has more than five hours of rare, never-before-seen, and archive concert footage of the seminal New York punk rock four-piece that changed rock ‘n’ roll…This is a must-have for all hardcore Ramones fans, and mandatory viewing for all who enjoy punk rock in general.”

–Marcus Soloman, CHORD, (October/November 2004)

“This is a furious music blasting fury of good rock documentary. Included are live versions of ‘I Can’t Make It On Time,’ ‘I Wanna Be Sedated’ and ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’ to name a few gems you’ll find here. This is one DVD to pick up for your own rock and roll documentary DVD additions. The Ramones made a huge impact on so many bands. This {DVD} is something to remember the Ramones by for years to come.”

–Bret Miller, HIGHWIRE DAZE Los Angeles, (September/October 2004)

“Ramones Raw lives up to its name. It’s an intense, no holds barred look at this legendary band…a spellbinding work…there is one undeniable fact forged from Ramones Raw: when they wanted to, the Ramones could kick the ass of any other punk rock band in the game, either before or since.”

–Gill Gibron, DVD TALK (August 31, 2004)

Check out the following links for more information: www.ramones.com and www.raindance.co.uk (Raindance Film Festival).

Contact MSO:

Libby Henry Kristine Ashton-Magnuson

818-380-0400 ext. 224 818-380-0400 ext. 233

Lhenry@msopr.com Kashton@msopr.com

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