by Marc Fong
After ten years in the making, Los Angeles alt-rock veterans Failure have unveiled Every Time You Lose Your Mind, a sweeping documentary now available to stream on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+. Directed by the band’s own Ken Andrews, the film traces the group’s turbulent trajectory from their early ’90s origins through their disbandment and eventual rebirth. Featuring appearances from an eclectic cast of admirers—including Hayley Williams, Steve Albini, Jason Schwartzman, Margaret Cho, and Butch Vig—the film captures the band’s lasting influence on musicians and outsiders alike. More than just a retrospective, it’s a deeply personal story of creative survival and friendship.
The documentary made its premiere Thursday night (6/26) at Harmony Gold Theater in Los Angeles, where fans were treated to a rare acoustic performance by the band. The six-song set included intimate versions of tracks like “Solaris” and “The Nurse Who Loved Me,” capping off an emotional evening that drew a crowd of collaborators, friends, and longtime supporters. Notable attendees included David Dastmalchian, Matt Pinfield, Troy Van Leeuwen, and Paul D’Amour, all of whom appear in the film.
While Failure may be best remembered for Fantastic Planet—their 1996 cult classic that fused sci-fi soundscapes with raw emotional weight—their story has never been as simple as a band that flamed out and faded away. Every Time You Lose Your Mind reveals a more complicated and ultimately hopeful arc. “Our fans have connected with the themes of depression and addiction in our music,” Andrews notes in the film. “The story we’re telling is about not giving up.” It’s a rare look at how a band that once fell apart under the weight of its own ambition managed to pull itself back together—and why their music continues to resonate almost three decades later.
Check out the trailer to Every Time You Lose Your Mind here.
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