Last night I saw one of my all-time favourite bands - Brian Jonestown Massacre - play live for the first time, and they truly blew my mind from top to bottom. Not only did they play a super long set, ending well after most bands would have hustled back to the green room, they played a non-stop barrage of all my favourite songs, starting with the first song that got me hooked, Super Sonic. Dancing all around me were members of the Hoa Hoas and Optical Sounds, and when the entire audience sang joyously along to Who? at the top of their lungs, it was transcendent.
Anton Newcombe has been accused of many things, including being a talentless drunk, he's been the object of derision, and a constant outsider in the music industry, but he's one of those guys that just never compromises, even when he knows he's being a dick, and I love that about him. He barely said a word last night, and yet his charisma held us all in thrall, and I woke up this morning wishing I could go to their next show, wherever it is, and maybe just pack it all in and follow them till they all drop dead.
BJM come from a different era - one when music was sincere and genuine, and the people making it were actually talented artists, not "co-writing with a well known producer". They don't get radio play, it's true, but they have a fanatic world-wide following anyway, and the joy on the faces around me at last night's show attests to the power of truly good music - Toronto the Stoic was actually dancing! To me, they are one of the very few nearly perfect bands out there, and I will buy everything they produce, including The Committee to Keep Music Evil label mates Asteroid #4, et al.
I always like it when art has subtext, or represents many things all at once, and BJM is that for me. They're not just a great band, fronted by a guy whose character I admire and who will clearly continue to make great music for the rest of his life. They are a time, a feeling, the way sunlight tilts in the fall, dew on a hedge, brass buttons on a wool coat. They are Autumn to me, when things are simultaneously at their most beautiful, and about to die. Maybe it's Anton's smack habit, self-destructive behaviour, or his obsession with the dark side of the 60's that inflects the music with that slight waft of death, but whatever it is, it speaks to my Autumn soul.
I was, last night, quite willing to throw myself to the mercy of the band, climb into their camper van and sail away with them forever. Anton is my only "friend" on You Tube, and if my boyfriend will let me, I'd name all our future children Alfred, Anton's middle name. To put it simply, last night was well worth the months I've waited with ticket in hand, and my only question now is, when are they coming back?
7 comments:
Excellent synopsis of the gig. I was there as well, and you capture the tension and mood with eloquence. Like you, they are without doubt one of my favorite bands...if not THE number one. I saw them several years ago in Toronto, but last night was far more intense. I'm not sure if it was the presence of Matt and Joel, or what it was...but it was palatable.
Anyway, I think you have a great name for any future progeny :)
Your blog turned up on my Google Alerts for BJM. Thanks for this review! I'm so with you on your enthusiasm and love for the band. I am actually going to see them for the FIRST time on June 17 here in Portland. I'm so damned excited I can hardly stand it! It issort of rough time in my life.
You really articulated a lot of what I've been feeling the past few months leading up to the show. Art with subtext. The many layers of the music, and a musical genius that you totally love even if (or quite possibly because) he's a dick. His talent combined with his pure veracity and dedication inspires me to be more dedicated to my own small bit of art.
Anyway thanks for sharing!
SirenSong
SirenSong, you will be blown away. When I first saw them, there were copious number of dicks in the crowd, who were only there to agitate Anton. He, in turn, was drinking heavily, and it resulted in a large pause in the set etc, and a generally bad vibe. Still amazing, but not quite "there"
However, they are on form now....to see Matt and Joel and the rest of them just clicking is mind blowing. Honestly, you are in for an experience :)
Good luck!
thanks everyone! glad you liked my review... i was high on BJM for weeks afterwards! they are such a rare gem in this day and age... :)
ps - sorry it took so long for me to respond, I didn't really think anyone was reading my blog, so I forgot to check for comments! :)
Venus - you were totally right. It was MINDBLOWING! I got there early enough to stand right in front, right between where Collin, Matt and Anton were playing. I know the sound is probably better near the back... but the sheer energy of the band, the power coming off of them and the intensity of the crowd. I'm with you, I'd have jumped in my car and driven to their next gig if I could have.
Thanks again for capturing what I was feeling, and for helping me get even more psyched about the show.
:) I hope you were inspired to make your own mindblowing art too!
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