Brian Jonestown Massacre: Classic or Dud?

I think any of the albums described here sound *way* better than what I had. The descriptions actually make me want to take a chance on BJM again. Whatever you do, don't get Strung Out In Heaven. Most of it was not droning enough to be interesting in a lazy sort of way and the songs were around 3 minutes long and had no real spark to them, except for one called The Lantern (I think) which was about 7 minutes long and boring. Boring.

I would REALLY love to hear their remake of the Stones classic they've dubbed "Their Satanic Majesties Second Request". The description (in the link above) sounds wonderful. I loved the original, anyway.

I'm listening to Methadrone today on headphones and I'm convinced that it's the great long lost shoegazer album of all time. Which is odd, because I've never really rated this album, out of their entire back catalogue. It always seemed like the runt of the litter, but today it seems really lovely and it's hitting home in a way I never thought possible.

It used to surprise me that many people namecheck this as their favourite album of theirs. But now I think I understand. Sigh.

Ah well, back to your lives, already in progress...

Subject: wednesday night in iceland
Body: just so you know i«ll be sitting in with singapore sling in iceland wednesday night
for this joy division tribute show.should be fun.
the club is called

Gaukur A Stong

"...this next song is called 'Ian Curtis is Dead.'"

This is insanity. The most recent record, called "And this is our music" is rather brilliant. Tell me, exactly, how it is they do Cure impressions now?

I'll grant you that Newcombe only writes one song, but it is a damn good song.

Methodrone (1995) : We like Ride

Their Satanic Majesty's Second Request (1996) : We like George Harrison

Take It From The Man! : We like the Kinks, the Stones, and fuckin' Syd, man.

Thank God For Mental Illness: We like Charlie Manson

Give It Back: We like Capitol. Thanks for the $$$, rockers. Here, Bomp!, release this.

Strung Out In Heaven: We're bored.

I'll let others take it from here...

This is insanity. The most recent record, called "And this is our music" is rather brilliant. Tell me, exactly, how it is they do Cure impressions now?

I wouldn't know, since I posted that 3 1/2 years ago. Check whatever album BJM did just prior.

His latest myspace thing to us all -- the interview he did for Mojo (rather straightforward):

---

> What music are you currently grooving to?

delia darbershire "dreams" it was from a program called "bbc work shop" 1964.epic.she was a true genius.
pink frost by the chills(nz),howl by b.r.m.c.(us),high dials(ca),manzinita by mia doi todd(us),able tasmins(nz),dimer!!!(nz)dungen (fooking sweden i looove ya!!!),we are the radio (unreleased bjm work in progress)(us),sealine by the church(au),morning after girls(au),paris hilton(just kidding you fucking cunt's)(hell), the new spiritualized(uk),primal scream(uk),do you want them near you? & life of crime by the triffids(au)singapore sling (island,a place to bury strangers(nyc),dead meadow(dc),i could go on and on and on but just e-mail me @ antonnewcombe@yahoo.com.

> What, if push comes to shove, is your all-time
> favourite album?

tough question but you know i love the good fight...
i love side two of sound of silence (richard cory,most peculiar man etc),i love anup jolata (all bajahns) brapu gi etc...,nuserat fatah ali kahnn(anything that peter gabrial didn't fucking wank all over and none of the eddie vedder apeman crap(total fucking tit) , ruber soul,revolver,pet sounds,bee gee's 1st ok,ok i'll quit fucking off and say scott 3 by scott walker.nope maybe harry smith's folkways stuff.ok,ok,either or & xo by elliott smith.he was among my very best friends and i think of him every day w/every breath i take.we miss you.

> What was the first record you ever bought?

my mom took the little man down to the shop when i was 5 and handed me a jackson w/instructions to find what i was looking for.isac hayes is what it turned out to be.have you ever heard his treatment of "the first time,ever i saw your face".i mean,his version of walk on by is portise head(think about your heroes,they are not so great me thinks).

> Which musician other than yourself have you ever
> wanted to be?

bob dylan but with talent :)hello?brian jones...but with better taste in women,lead singers and clothes.

> What do you sing in the shower?

the look of love/deutschland ubur alles.

> What's your favourite Saturday night record?

tchaikovsky "rite of spring"

> Your Sunday morning record?

wagner "parsival" nuff said.

---

I want me the new Spz please.

Namechecking while under the influence: C or D?

title: i want to help you = i am affraid of you...

Body: > Will you ever be comfortable on a record label that
> isn't your own?
>

it's not like that.i will retain the rights of the copyright.i am into a license/lease.i am the land lord.think about.

> Everyone always talks in the same breath about what
> a
> great genius you are but how you can't keep it
> together (punchups, breakups or whatever) long
> enough
> to achieve the mainstream success and(you forgot to add the word "the" you fucking tit.) following your
> music deserves. Do you think they're missing the
> point? It seems you are consciously trying to do
> something with your music that artistically and
> spiritually transcends that. Is that true?
>

the truest things are done in silence.

> Do you think your window of time in which you were
> to
> make your biggest impression has passed?
>

i make time.i did it for you,and i am doing it well.i did it for you mother-fucker...baby...can't you tell?

> Would you say that the unwritten rules you use to
> guide your music and life are the ultimate “indie
> rock” principles that others only claim to hold
> themselves and their music to?
>

i suggest you read your words and think about a life worth living.

> Do you feel the flood of inspirations of your youth
> (four amazing albums in one year, etc..) has faded,
> leaving you with a certain amount of good material
> left in you. Or do is the work flowing as creatively
> into classics as it ever was?
>

that was six albums in a twelve moth period.you should get your fucking lazy ass in gear and reserch the facts.

> Did you record with Charles Manson, or get
> permission
> to do a song? If so, what was that like?
>

like a fucking rocket.the real question that would have interested me is...how have i done what has been begged to be done?you are a fucking illeterate novice and way out of your field of comprehension.do you understand?

> Are there a certain number of bands you see as
> having
> built on your music inspirational-wise? If so, why
> has
> the credit not been given where it is due?
>

i don't give a shit about your thoughts or your questions.they walk...while my son runs.how does that feel?i mean i am basically saying my three-year-old has a greater grasp on the power and intent of thought.i will get you fired for this.

> Your website makes a brief case against your
> approval
> of the film DIG! Is there anything there that you do
> look back on as being truthful or important about
> DIG!, as far as band interaction or outsiders views
> of
> your music and persona?
>

i don't lie.what do you do?

> There's an amazing extra on the film's DVD part 2,
> which was cut from the original film DIG! In it, you
> are on a NYC rooftop explaining your mission, your
> music and your nature, and saying some rather
> poignant
> and weighty things. Can you recall that

fuck you.i'll bet i can dig up so much shit on you it will die your skin red as a warning to others to not employ you to pick the fleas of of dogs.come on now.show us what you can do smarty-pants....

, and if so,
> is
> that (..1) still a statement that best describes your
> outlook and feelings on your music and life

you are a fucking cunt.what did you ask?indicate precisely what you mean to say...remeber...iforwarded this to your boss and everyone eles i could think of.how dare you waste...fuck that.how dare you through away what little we have.idiot.

, and
> (..2)
> is the cutting of that scene from the film an
> example
> of the director's lousing up of the final cut
> version
> of the film (as she seems to show you in a shady
> light
> in the actual film, cutting out the scenes that show
> what those years of BJM were truly all about)?

george bush is not an olympiad.fuck you and your ilk.

>
> What are your feelings about the Dandys, as far as
> the
> memories you have of the “good old days” and your
> relationship with them now? And, what does it mean
> to
> you for them to have always seen you as this
> unparalleled musical genius?
>

i am not a film.you are being piad to try(fail) to harass me.fuck you and the horse that drove you ass to myspace.

> What is the most innovative portion of your music:

the fact that i create all of this.you suck ass for cash.

> lyrics, instrumentation, the feel of the cohesion,
> or
> something else?
>

i could explain the facts of life to you but you....fuck it.
i have what you do not.fill in the blanks everytime you masterbate.

> Do you ever miss the original members of the BJM,
> i.e.
> nostalgia and all that?
>

i am the origin.you are a simpelton.i bet you ain't your father's son....

> What is your driving force now? Still musical
> revolution, love, what?
>

revolution means one cycle.

> Explain what it's like (if you can) to get into
> album
> mode, being the uber-creator that you do when making
> these great records.
>

what i do is secret.thing is,i've just show you the fact that you are out-moded.obsolete.
good night.

The album they're working on for TVT in the film, Strung Out in Heaven isn't featured in the film at all, as TVT wouldn't allow it.

they can hear them scream in london! fuck george bush

On the subject, does anyone know what the song being played with the credits is on "Dig!"... Please don't say it's the Dandy Warhols.

yes, that was funny

alot of you young people ask me when i'm going to make new music.

well i just released a six song e.p.,played in france had all of my gear stolen and fuck right off.

i'm writing but more importantly,i've put out 16 albums...most of it is for free on the web.

let's see any of the bands on myspace do that.

how much room do you think they have in a record store?

you fucking make an album.

but i degress,i plan to record with kevin shields in the new year.

until then.

go jack off or smoke crack but don't tell me what to do.

thanks,

the boss.

Jesus Christ, I'm not into this album at all, and I liked My Bloody Underground quite a bit. I guess I just like their garage side better (actually, Bringing It All Back Home Again is probably my favorite), but this is just way too far into the electronic realm for me. A couple tracks a like, but overall, blech.

This is, I think, quite possibly the best album "they" (and I use that term loosely) have done in a decade.

I see your point about it being sonically closest to Methodrone, that kind of claustrophobic fuzz-laden darkness, as the jangle is bannished in favour of wall-of-sound Sonic Textures (tm).

I like the continued electronic influence (even though several times, I can spot the exact sample loop that's been used) - it's integrated much better and - most refreshingly - Anton discovered where the "Quantise" button was, so the songs are nowhere near as messy as they were. (Another friend "in the know" says that it's more because Anton has given up drinking - that *he's* not as sloppy, so the songs are more clear, focused, in time. He's in control again, and it shows.)

And yeah, I like the bass-driven aspect of it, but Carruthers is a genius (don't tell him I said that).

And quite frankly, I love the idea of post-Dig! BJM fans getting disgusted by all the electronics and walking away. Yes, I recognise that's a terribly snobbish thing to say, but... hey.

Five months into 2012 and so far Aufheben is my favorite album of the year. Somehow Anton has managed to corral all the traditional "messiness" that's endemic to a lot of BJM albums and got them pointed in the same direction and working together. Who Killed Sgt. Pepper = transitional. Aufheben = realized statement, goal post, etc.

Hmm, noted, still haven't gotten around to it but that's high praise!

I really like "Spacegirl and Other Favorites" a lot, after not caring for much by these guys for a long, long time. What's a good next album to check out?

Maybe Methadrone?

I'd go with the last one (Aufheben)

i only have the 2 cd best of (local charity shop purchase !!!!!) ..
is this representative ?

That 2xCD is a pretty good start... I think pretty much everything is on YouTube at this point if you want to check out the recent stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3G8oIz_EWY

So I like "Revelation" a lot.

But the production and occasional drum machine is making me wonder if they just recorded a couple of thousand songs in the early nineties and have been slowly doling them out a dozen at a time...

It's hasn't pulled me in that same way that Aufheben did, but it's a damn fine album.

First heard "Food for Clouds" and thought "hmmm... I think he's been listening to The Cure again" and then the vocals come in.

"Days, Weeks and Moths" live is a A+++

@antonnewcombe
The biggest company on earth wants to use my work to make money for 3 months and pay me nothing - of I say no,I'm banned

I hope the poor decide that law has no value and burn the Bay Area to the fucking ground starting in Cupertino

After looting all the techies McMansions

Give San Francisco back to the Gays and the Indians

http://crackmagazine.net/2015/06/anton-newcombe-hassled-by-apple/

damn, so i had avoided this band for years because of their name and album names but i heard "revelation" playing in the store the other day and i had to pick it up. and now i'm hooked! what are the must-have albums? i've read through the thread but looking for fresh opinions.

You can't go wrong with the two-disc compilation 'Tepid Peppermint Wonderland'. It's missing their newest stuff, but it covers the sustained brilliance of their first decade or so.

I haven't heard revelation yet but Tepid is a great intro. Spacegirl is my long time favorite but really anything from their peak (1995 - 2001) is excellent. Give it Back! probably has the most 'hits' of any of their albums from this time

The song "Telegram" is my favorite thing they've done.

Of the Bomp records, I'd go with Take It From The Man and Give It Back. Of the recents, Aufheben.

the song "don't get lost" is my favorite (recent) thing they've done

Methadrone is totally classic

About half of Take It From The Man is classic

"assignment song" also rules

I haven't listend to methodrone in a few years so i put it on this morning. it's a masterpiece. the distorted megaphone at the end of the last track that sounds like guitar feedback is one of my favorite things ever. and i had completely forgotten about she made me and everyone says which are both incredible

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MKRAzCkJfM

Unquestionably the greatest thing they’ve ever done. The bit at the end where he sits on the guitar amp as the audience pelt the falling stage curtain with beer had me howling.

was this all over a random member of the current live band saying something re red meat/politics ?

no idea who is who, so, is it that main man Anton who sits down on the speaker at the end ?
so far, he has not said anything as to this on his twitter groove as far as i can tell.

lol this is so embarrassing. aren't these guys all in their 50s?

was this all over a random member of the current live band saying something re red meat/politics ?

no, newcombe had spent the whole tour antagonising the audiences and arguing with some of the band and fights had nearly broken out at some of the previous shows apparently. newcombe was apparently in a terrible mood after the promoter had held him at knifepoint (?!) earlier and was barely able to sing that night, and kept antagonising the audience (who heckled him back) and left long gaps between songs. the fight was apparently only a handful of songs in

the bandmember speaking at the start i think could be making a veiled criticism of newcombe/the audience antagonising each other but he isn't the one involved in the fight.

Anton has been off the wagon for a couple years now and its effects on the current tour has mostly been like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txvL98lmhTU

too much floppy hat energy in one band

Lol

10-15 years ago a friend of my dad’s showed up to one of their concerts hella early and Anton was milling around outside drinking from a large jug of vodka

Also, longtime BJM manager Ted Gardner passed away at the end of 2021 and without him around keeping the BJM ship sailing is damn impossible

this is a heartwarming video

Just recalling that I think it was watching the documentary Dig! that somehow set in motion the process that led me to land at ILX.

Was just thinking, does this mean there's going to be another documentary?

Hey if they can make a Spinal Tap sequel. (Which, sadly, they are.)

Calling this a "fight" is an insult to all the middle-school shoving matches that occur during recess in this great country on a daily basis

Anton was posting some Zionist shit recently

Joel Gion is promoting his book at the moment and I keep thinking that this photo is The Actor Kevin Eldon in some new sketch show...

http://s3.amazonaws.com/quietus_production/images/articles/33817/JOEL_GION_author_photo_credit_Andreas_Turau_WITH_CREDIT_copy_1707153387_crop_550x367.png

That’s the tambourine guy, right?

The Life Aquatic with Joel Gion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwyuB8QKzBI

I've been listening to this BJM song for nine years and never, ever once made the connection and the merits of deleting one letter. (obv. I never listen to Phish)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TPzTpJC57w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZE6Gbr4b78

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRMV55KCWD4

A little talk about that over here too!

Dig! and Documentary-Worthiness

👎

Oh bum, sorry I missed that revive.

this is a band that sounded pretty cool when i 1st heard them but which i have liked progressively less & less the more i heard them

i think i'd probably still like some of the songs off "thank god for mental illness" if i bothered to listen to it again, maybe