Synopsis
A loose, impressionistic portrait of Memphis unfolds around "Bummer," pairing the Grifters' rough-edged rock with a restless procession of people, urban spaces, and fleeting encounters. Figures drift through streets, storefronts, industrial surroundings, and intimate interiors as the imagery shifts between casual observation and staged tableaux. A vintage Cadillac adds another memorable visual accent. Rather than presenting a conventional storyline, the video captures a scruffy, communal city atmosphere that suits the song's swaggering, off-kilter energy.
Factoids & Trivia
- "Bummer" was the opening track on The Grifters' 1993 album *One Sock Missing*. The video was made roughly 20 years later, as part of an anniversary project celebrating the record.
- The project was produced by Memphis-based Corduroy Wednesday Films and was promoted as the first official video made for a song from *One Sock Missing*.
- The production used several Memphis locations, including the Sears Crosstown Building, the Vollintine-Evergreen Greenway, Beale Street Studios, the South Main Arts District, and Burke's Bookstore.
- A Cadillac supplied by Jamie Harmon appears among the video's production elements, helping reinforce its distinctly Southern, road-movie-like atmosphere.
- The footage was shot on a combination of Canon C300, Red Scarlett, and Canon 5D Mark III cameras, reflecting a hybrid approach that mixes polished digital cinematography with a more immediate, handmade feel.
- The video was edited in Adobe Premiere CS6 and featured a sizable cast of Memphis-area performers and extras.
- The song itself began as a jam built around one of Scott Taylor's guitar riffs. Dave Shouse later developed it with a verse and lyrics, making it an example of the collaborative songwriting process behind the Grifters' early work.