Brian Jonestown Massacre probably has had even more members than Hawkwind and the Grateful Dead. But they were nearly all big against the industry elites. True Massacres of the industry
There is nothing like the Brian Jonestown Massacre. They have a drug-fueled, Bullet riddled history and are still going with a new Album released in 2021. They are one of my favorite bands of all time.
Anton Newcombe has been the Brainchild and has brought the artistic level of their catalog to its glory and at times singularly destroyed many opportunities. However, he never did anything halfway, if there was trouble he simply poured more gasoline on the fire.
The Guitar based rock band has been his baby, but every member has stood on equal footing. Joel Gion specifically is someone I would put on my Bucket List to sit and have a conversation with.
He has been the Front and Center Tambourine man, comedic relief, and somewhat the face of the band. From Matt Hollywood to every member past and present, everyone has left their stamp on the music.
Since forming in 1990 The Massacre has been able to keep the guitar-based music influenced by the retro ’60s sounds Fresh. They are not a throwback to anything. They have harnessed the music and instruments of decades gone by and given it a new life. The band is a living and breathing force.
Brian Jonestown Massacre – Servo
Using an arsenal of vintage Vox guitars and many other Pawn Shop treasures they have recalled the times of The Velvet Underground and a few obscure others but created new music.
Beginning with demos that were titled “Pol Pot’s Pleasure Penthouse” in a couple of short years they were off and running.”Spacegirl and Other Favorites” “Methodrone” moved the reputation along. In 1996 they recorded 3 albums in one year alone.
Those are now thought of as the classic lineup and widely the best 3 albums in their story. “Take it From the Man!” “Their Satanic Majesties’ Second Request” (a nod to The Rolling Stones Brian Jones) and “Thank God for Mental Illness “
BJM Full Show Atlanta Live 1998 Best Audio
They continued to make a wealth of records and friends and my first exposure to them was a Documentary of their working relationship and largely positive association with the band “The Dandy Warhols”. The film was released in 2004. “DIG!” put them on my radar as well as the Dandies.
I am not normally a pop music fan but the film showed both bands equally rising and I became a Dandy Warhols fan. The two bands could not be more different, Light and Shade.
It documents very well the complexities of driven bands dealing with the music landscape of the times and the Reckless abandon of both, yet BJTM was definitely the Dark anarchists of the two and the success and differing definitions of what success meant were and are fascinating. 7 years of both bands’ excess and triumphs, with a great dash of competition and self-destruction.
DIG! VF / The Brian Jonestown Massacre
Somewhere around the many band members came and went. The Albums kept on being made under many different situations aside from any solo and other collaborations by Anton
Albums By The Brian Jonestown Massacre
TAMBOURINE MAN: Interview with Joel Gion of The Brian Jonestown Massacre
As it Stands the band appears on the tour for 2022 to support “Fire Grows on Trees” on the road with Mercury Rev.
If you are any sort of music fan I think you will find many things to like in any given album.Much like the statement made by Jerry Garcia about the Grateful Dead they are like Black Licorice Candy “ Not everyone likes it but the ones that do REALLY Like it.”
