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Friday, August 17: Brian Jonestown Massacre @ Turner Hall, 7 p.m. ($18)
At
a time when many an early '90s grunge band were slowly transitioned
from dirty rock clubs to Billboard Top 40 lists, San Francisco-based The
Brian Jonestown Massacre decided to go another direction (well many
different directions, actually). This eclectic and constantly changing
menagerie of styles on display in the band's many albums over the years
should be no surprise from a band that's name was derived as a cross
between founding member of The Rolling Stones Brian Jones and the most
famous mass suicide in history. Though the band is probably most famous
for its revolving door of members and well-documented differences with
The Dandy Warhols (epitomized in the 2004 documentary Dig!), founding
memberAnton Newcombe has continued to crank out dreamy, droning anthems
of angst. (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
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Q. If tomorrow you could no longer be a musician what would do as a career?
A. witchdoctor
Q. There’s a comprehensive list on Wikipedia of all of the members, collaborators, and guests that have been a part of The Brian Jonestown Massacre over the years. Having worked with so many different people by now, do you have a sense of what traits your ideal band mate would have?
A. our live group consists of 4 people that i've played with for 10 years,and 4 people i've played with for more then 20.
it's no secret that 98.9% of people that were given record contracts are no longer making music.think about that every next big thing,must hear hot shit nobody just decided the business stinks and quit. i make music because i enjoy.i'm not interested in what other people make of my music or the way i create it.
Q. What is the biggest difference between the Anton that your fans perceive and the real you?
A. one is a perception,the other is real.
Q. What inspires you these days?
A. i enjoy being creative.work as play is a motto i live by.
Q. What do you think happens when you die?
A. i'll let you know.
Q. If you could keep any musician prisoner in your home (imagining they’re locked in a cage with a guitar/instrument) for the purpose of your personal entertainment or to write songs for you- who would it be?
A. that's not my style.these questions are fucking awful.
Q. What change can I make in my life to achieve happiness?
A. i don't know you so i'm not going to answer that.
Q. What courses would be offered at the Anton Newcombe school of rock and roll?
A. just one: everything you need to know 101.
Q. If you went back in time 20 years and could bring a piece pop music from the “future” to play for your friends living in 1992 – what would it be? And- still using this bad clique of a scenario- it’s 1992- you can stop a musician's career before it starts like the T1000 in Terminator 2- who would you terminate?.
A. i am more concerned with the future then the past.i plan to make music for films.if i had a time machine i wouldn't be fucking around with music.
Q. What emotional state do you find the most conducive for writing music?
A. i enjoy cultivating a full spectrum of human emotions.as an artist,i feel a body of work should explore that or maybe just one thing in depth.
Q. Congratulations on having “Straight Up And Down” used as the opening theme for HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. I hope they paid you handsomely for its use. Did you treat yourself to any musical equipment that you’d always dreamed of owning?
A. Thank you.i tend to collect tools at a steady rate and not related to any unexpected windfall of cash.i find things i need then use them.
Q. In the 90’s musicians, indie bands especially, were considered “sellouts” if they licensed their music to make money. I’m not sure when exactly things changed but now we’re in a world where the line between art and commerce seems to be evaporating. For the sake of the argument- a band like The Black Keys, who would have been crucified by their fans had their careers started a decade earlier, seem to license their music for fucking anything. As someone who’s been through both eras I’m wondering what you think of this sea change. Were we wrong to expect our favorite bands to survive on record sales and tour receipts alone?
A. i'm not a sell out & that's what matters to me - i try not to get all wrapped up in what other people do or don't do these days...it's pointless.it's a non-issue for me.
A. Is there anything you miss about the ‘traditional’ music industry?
A. it's been really bad for a really long time.shame on everyone that has money and does jack fuck all with it.really now.fuck all you people and your v.i.p. area,your parties and houses and all of your fancy junk.here's a tip: watch your accountant like a hawk.easy come,easy go.
Q. Take It From The Man! is my favorite rock and roll record of all time. I’ve put (David Bowie I’ve Loved You) Since I Was Six on every mix tape I’ve made for a girl since I was a teenager. Aufheben is the record I put on before bed this summer.
A. thank you.sorry for being in a bad mood or coming off as a grumpy old bastard.
Q. I’m a fan. Hope none of these questions felt patronizing.
A. to be honest it was strange.
best wishes,
a
.
speaking of bad trips (here's an interview i've just done)
Q. If tomorrow you could no longer be a musician what would do as a career?
A. witchdoctor
Q. There’s a comprehensive list on Wikipedia of all of the members, collaborators, and guests that have been a part of The Brian Jonestown Massacre over the years. Having worked with so many different people by now, do you have a sense of what traits your ideal band mate would have?
A. our live group consists of 4 people that i've played with for 10 years,and 4 people i've played with for more then 20.
it's no secret that 98.9% of people that were given record contracts are no longer making music.think about that every next big thing,must hear hot shit nobody just decided the business stinks and quit. i make music because i enjoy.i'm not interested in what other people make of my music or the way i create it.
Q. What is the biggest difference between the Anton that your fans perceive and the real you?
A. one is a perception,the other is real.
Q. What inspires you these days?
A. i enjoy being creative.work as play is a motto i live by.
Q. What do you think happens when you die?
A. i'll let you know.
Q. If you could keep any musician prisoner in your home (imagining they’re locked in a cage with a guitar/instrument) for the purpose of your personal entertainment or to write songs for you- who would it be?
A. that's not my style.these questions are fucking awful.
Q. What change can I make in my life to achieve happiness?
A. i don't know you so i'm not going to answer that.
Q. What courses would be offered at the Anton Newcombe school of rock and roll?
A. just one: everything you need to know 101.
Q. If you went back in time 20 years and could bring a piece pop music from the “future” to play for your friends living in 1992 – what would it be? And- still using this bad clique of a scenario- it’s 1992- you can stop a musician's career before it starts like the T1000 in Terminator 2- who would you terminate?.
A. i am more concerned with the future then the past.i plan to make music for films.if i had a time machine i wouldn't be fucking around with music.
Q. What emotional state do you find the most conducive for writing music?
A. i enjoy cultivating a full spectrum of human emotions.as an artist,i feel a body of work should explore that or maybe just one thing in depth.
Q. Congratulations on having “Straight Up And Down” used as the opening theme for HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. I hope they paid you handsomely for its use. Did you treat yourself to any musical equipment that you’d always dreamed of owning?
A. Thank you.i tend to collect tools at a steady rate and not related to any unexpected windfall of cash.i find things i need then use them.
Q. In the 90’s musicians, indie bands especially, were considered “sellouts” if they licensed their music to make money. I’m not sure when exactly things changed but now we’re in a world where the line between art and commerce seems to be evaporating. For the sake of the argument- a band like The Black Keys, who would have been crucified by their fans had their careers started a decade earlier, seem to license their music for fucking anything. As someone who’s been through both eras I’m wondering what you think of this sea change. Were we wrong to expect our favorite bands to survive on record sales and tour receipts alone?
A. i'm not a sell out & that's what matters to me - i try not to get all wrapped up in what other people do or don't do these days...it's pointless.it's a non-issue for me.
A. Is there anything you miss about the ‘traditional’ music industry?
A. it's been really bad for a really long time.shame on everyone that has money and does jack fuck all with it.really now.fuck all you people and your v.i.p. area,your parties and houses and all of your fancy junk.here's a tip: watch your accountant like a hawk.easy come,easy go.
Q. Take It From The Man! is my favorite rock and roll record of all time. I’ve put (David Bowie I’ve Loved You) Since I Was Six on every mix tape I’ve made for a girl since I was a teenager. Aufheben is the record I put on before bed this summer.
A. thank you.sorry for being in a bad mood or coming off as a grumpy old bastard.
Q. I’m a fan. Hope none of these questions felt patronizing.
A. to be honest it was strange.
best wishes,
a
.
The BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE - Fuji Rock Festival Fujikyu Japan 1/8/1998
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@the DMV
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Anton, you are hilarious, and so RIGHT ON !
ReplyDeleteHope all is well . I have been positively evangelical about BJM since first hearing , and am looking forward to your Chicago appearance.
You have elevated answering uninspired interview questions into an artform.
ReplyDeleteFor the show at the top of the post;
ReplyDeleteI will be unable to attend the show, but I did print 87 posters.
Have a friend that will have them there for me, please use caution when seen up close, as they will permit you to take a ride ***
See you @ Webster Hall the following Saturday
http://www.gigposters.com/poster/154535_Brian_Jonestown_Massacre.html