Brian Jonestown Massacre: Classic or Dud?

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now that retro rock is where it is at will they achieve any sort of status? i haven't heard the new album(could be they no longer ape the stones), but i like all of the others post-methadrone and i fondly recall the days when it seemed they had a new record out every 3 weeks. anton newcombe-loveable or arse?

― keith, Tuesday, 1 January 2002 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Sorry I can't contribute but I would like to know what people think of BJM. What I have heard of them sounded interesting. They make psychedelic rock or not? Apparently "Your Precious You", a west coast shoegazer band toured with them a couple of years ago.

― alex in mainhattan, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

I didn't really like the one album I had, but I was told it wasn't as good as the "earlier stuff". I think I had "Strung out in Heaven" (the cover had a graphic of a guy and his mirror image pointing a gun straight ahead). There were two songs I enjoyed off the album: one that repeated a girl's name cutely and one about standing in line (reminded me of Galaxy 500's where he's eating his twinkies, but a bit more negative).

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.

― Nude spock, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Oh, further reading shows me that it's not a remake of the Stones' album, but it is them "coming to terms with the stones psychedelic era". Coming to terms-- that's funny.

― Nude Spock, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

When I saw them at Bowery Ballroom with Mercury Rev they had a guy with a huge afro who banged a tambourine the entire time, which must count for something.

― Tracer Hand, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

Whatever you do, don't get anything they've put out since "Strung Out In Heaven" either. It doesn't get better. Now they do Cure impressions. Among their earlier albums, "Take It From the Man" is probably the strongest. But even it has too many similar songs, each running a few minutes too long. If "Strung Out" didn't divert you, chances are none of them will. There's an odd missing element that carries through all of BJM. They're just a little too convinced that copying 60s rebels makes them rebels. No, I don't think they're poised for any big breakthrough.

― Curt, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

I searched for That Other Thread, and now I find this one, and I'm wondering why I never posted on it.

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...

― kate, Monday, 17 February 2003 15:14 (10 years ago) Permalink

_Give It Back_ all the way. Great album. The shows about that time that I saw were great too. I'm thinking the Warlocks may have stolen their thunder now though.

― Wandering Boy Poet, Monday, 17 February 2003 17:03 (10 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

I just met Jeffery Davies at lunch. I gave him directions to someone's house. I'm not confident he was able to follow them though they consisted only of "go up Columbus three blocks".

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 21:45 (9 years ago) Permalink

i am weighing "classic" and "dud" very carefully here....

― Orbit (Orbit), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 23:46 (9 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

I admit I would like to see this -- from the latest of Anton's many copious bulletins on myspace:

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.'"

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 17 May 2005 20:14 (8 years ago) Permalink

"Whatever you do, don't get anything they've put out since "Strung Out In Heaven" either"

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.

― kwhitehead (stephen schmidt), Wednesday, 18 May 2005 12:20 (8 years ago) Permalink

4 weeks pass...

What is the name of the BJM song that says something like "open up cause here I come/With a gift for everyone/and I'm sure you're not aware..."? Driving me insane, google no help.

― roxymuzak (roxymuzak), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 18:43 (7 years ago) Permalink

I think it's called "Servo" and it's on the album Give it Back.
I think.

― Tripmaker (SDWitzm), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 18:53 (7 years ago) Permalink

Classic for being the most inconsistenty entertaining druggie pop rock band ever..

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...

― donut e-goo (donut), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 18:57 (7 years ago) Permalink

"Whatever you do, don't get anything they've put out since "Strung Out In Heaven" either"

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.

― Curt (cgould), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 19:17 (7 years ago) Permalink

Last time I saw them they were definitely at their best *musically* ever. Anton was however more Anton than ever too.

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.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 19:20 (7 years ago) Permalink

I have come to the realization that I do not own Give It Back, this must be corrected.

― Rufus 3000 (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 16 June 2005 12:42 (7 years ago) Permalink

tchaikovsky "rite of spring"

Namechecking while under the influence: C or D?

― Curt (cgould), Thursday, 16 June 2005 14:26 (7 years ago) Permalink

Thanks, Tripmaker!

― roxymuzak (roxymuzak), Thursday, 16 June 2005 14:40 (7 years ago) Permalink

2 weeks pass...

Roffles from Anton's constant MySpace bulletins (today):

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.

― roxymuzak (roxymuzak), Saturday, 2 July 2005 17:56 (7 years ago) Permalink

Straight stuff about Der Anton. You will not have to fill in the blanks when you masturbate.

― Walter Groteschele, Saturday, 2 July 2005 18:31 (7 years ago) Permalink

Q: What is the WRONG way to interview Anton?
A: see above

― Orbit (Orbit), Saturday, 2 July 2005 18:35 (7 years ago) Permalink

He is the fount that makes small brooks to flow.

― Fester Bestertester, Saturday, 2 July 2005 18:48 (7 years ago) Permalink

"what i do is secret" - if only. but still, nice germs ref.

― hstencil (hstencil), Saturday, 2 July 2005 18:52 (7 years ago) Permalink

Actually, if i could put two musicians in a room with no exit and closed circuit TV, it would be Anton and Courtney Love. Now THAT would be reality TV.

― Orbit (Orbit), Saturday, 2 July 2005 21:10 (7 years ago) Permalink

3 months pass...

i'm watching DIG and really digging the soundtrack - can anyone suggest a single SEARCH album for me to download?

― sean gramophone (Sean M), Friday, 14 October 2005 21:12 (7 years ago) Permalink

thank god for mental illness or their satanic majesties...I think of these as the only necessary BJM albums.

― kyle (akmonday), Friday, 14 October 2005 21:32 (7 years ago) Permalink

also, Dig pretty much covers that period of the band so some of the songs might be familiar.

― kyle (akmonday), Friday, 14 October 2005 21:32 (7 years ago) Permalink

A few of the songs in the film appear on the Tepid Peppermint compilation.

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.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 15 October 2005 00:24 (7 years ago) Permalink

The title of Anton's latest bulletin:

they can hear them scream in london! fuck george bush

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 15 October 2005 00:50 (7 years ago) Permalink

Where can I read that bulletin, Ned?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 15 October 2005 01:04 (7 years ago) Permalink

Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

― js (honestengine), Saturday, 15 October 2005 16:06 (7 years ago) Permalink

myspace -- do a search for antonnewcombe@yahoo.com

― Roxymuzak, Mrs. Carbohydrate (roxymuzak), Saturday, 15 October 2005 19:22 (7 years ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

What is the BJM song that says "I walked to New York and back from LA"? Google is failing me.

― Roxymuzak, Mrs. Carbohydrate (roxymuzak), Monday, 28 November 2005 16:35 (7 years ago) Permalink

and something like "i lived on a mountain that was by the bay" and lots of garble about jesus

― Roxymuzak, Mrs. Carbohydrate (roxymuzak), Monday, 28 November 2005 18:53 (7 years ago) Permalink

urgh

― Roxymuzak, Mrs. Carbohydrate (roxymuzak), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 14:22 (7 years ago) Permalink

Argh, I know that one too, but the name escapes me. "I prayed to Buddha and Jesus and Jim..." or something like that.

― Please Snap StressTwig (kate), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 14:25 (7 years ago) Permalink

ex-bjm'er joel was on the gilmore girls last week, anyone catch it?

― heywood jablomi (heywood), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 19:01 (7 years ago) Permalink

It's "The Ballad of Jim Jones".

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.

― KeefW (kmw), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 19:06 (7 years ago) Permalink

ex-bjm'er joel was on the gilmore girls last week, anyone catch it?

yes, that was funny

― kyle (akmonday), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 19:13 (7 years ago) Permalink

apparently he's been asked back for two or three more episodes this season...

― heywood jablomi (heywood), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 19:20 (7 years ago) Permalink

Well, the song at the end of Dig! is "Nevertheless" by BJM. I don't know if that's in the credits, though.

― Roxymuzak, Mrs. Carbohydrate (roxymuzak), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 20:29 (7 years ago) Permalink

Thankyou... But I'm afraid that's not the one I mean. It's got brass on it... Still dunno what it is!

― KeefW (kmw), Wednesday, 30 November 2005 00:53 (7 years ago) Permalink

3 weeks pass...

anton to work with kevin sheilds? from a bulliten he wrote tonight:

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.

― howell huser (chaki), Thursday, 22 December 2005 07:43 (7 years ago) Permalink

I heard some mp3s on a friend's computer, and I really enjoyed it - all the songs I heard were rather nice drone stuff. However, I watched 'Dig!' the other day and most of the songs were sixties throwback rock which I didn't like much. What's a good drone album?

― Sasha (sgh), Thursday, 22 December 2005 11:42 (7 years ago) Permalink

It might be the other Kevin Shields.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 22 December 2005 14:07 (7 years ago) Permalink

3 weeks pass...

So, I just heard them for the first time. I downloaded Methodrone and it sounds like "Sing" era Blur, but more wiggy. Is this a good album?

― Wogan Lenin (dog latin), Thursday, 12 January 2006 16:38 (7 years ago) Permalink

Methodrone is excellent, it's their almost shoegaze album with some particularly majestic moments towards the end.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 12 January 2006 16:45 (7 years ago) Permalink

Well, I haven't listened to it all, but I like "Crushed". Do you think the Albarn-esque vocals are done on purpose or just a coincidence. Or am I mad and they don't sound anything like early BLur?

― Wogan Lenin (dog latin), Thursday, 12 January 2006 16:51 (7 years ago) Permalink

5 months pass...

(As posted here.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 12:58 (6 years ago) Permalink

Oh Em Effing Gee.

That is possibly the funniest thing I've ever seen.

― Custard Subsidence (kate), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 13:01 (6 years ago) Permalink

They really would be perfect for the show.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 13:08 (6 years ago) Permalink

My head just exploded

― Fsck Washing Ong's Hat (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 21:06 (6 years ago) Permalink

Of course, Homer would go on tour with them, much to Marge's disapproval.

― registered ratty (registered ratty), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 22:20 (6 years ago) Permalink

they should shoot the cannonballs at anton's head

― electric sound of jim [and why not] (electricsound), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 23:02 (6 years ago) Permalink

those people arnt even in the band anymore.

― ¨ˆ¨ˆ¨ˆ¨ˆ¨ˆ¨ˆ (chaki), Tuesday, 4 July 2006 23:43 (6 years ago) Permalink

Imagine Homer's head in that white messiah-suit, playing
the sitar. Imagine him chugging Duff beers and ranting and
raving on stage. That would be sweet.

― Squirrel_Police (Squirrel_Police), Wednesday, 5 July 2006 21:21 (6 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

So, um, Anton's leaked his own new album.

I've only been able to listen to 3 songs, due to format issues (stupid work computer won't play stupid m4a files).

2 of the tracks were wibbling freak folk meanderings recorded at the bottom of a fjord. The third one was actually really interesting. I'm kind of scared to listen to the rest of the album.

― Masonic Boom, Monday, 3 September 2007 16:46 (5 years ago) Permalink

Oh yeah... title is "My Bloody Underground" - JUST STOP THAT RIGHT NOW, YOU!!!!

― Masonic Boom, Monday, 3 September 2007 16:47 (5 years ago) Permalink

Such 'jammed bandwidth' I'm getting 300KBps download. Dude may have overestimated the number of people who still care about him.

― milo z, Monday, 3 September 2007 16:58 (5 years ago) Permalink

I think if anything, post-Dig, more people care about him than back in the day. (He always used to post rough mixes of his new songs. I don't know why I botherd buying Zero, I'd had all the MP3s on download.)

So I've just heard it is "not finished yet". Interesting.

― Masonic Boom, Monday, 3 September 2007 17:09 (5 years ago) Permalink

The trouble with all this hyper-referential stuff is that in taking it seriously, you are acknowledging just how small "rock" has become.

Being into BJM is no better than collecting garden gnomes, or joining the "Sealed Knot".

In fact it's worse, as the social opportunities are scarcer.

― PhilK, Monday, 3 September 2007 18:34 (5 years ago) Permalink

Being into something != "taking it seriously".

It is all part of the wider smorgasboard of music.

And don't be so sure about that social opportunities thing...

― Masonic Boom, Monday, 3 September 2007 18:36 (5 years ago) Permalink

I think you'll find the Sealed Knot take it very seriously. Don't risk a musket ball by suggesting to them otherwise.

Tell me more about the BJM socials.......

― PhilK, Monday, 3 September 2007 18:37 (5 years ago) Permalink

10 months pass...

OK, they've turned into the best Spacemen 3 tribute band I've ever seen. At least they do when Anton sits down on the floor and decides he's not going to play any more and Carruthers takes over for 20-minute space-jams. Tee hee hee.

― Masonic Boom, Thursday, 3 July 2008 11:07 (4 years ago) Permalink

2 months pass...

Full video of the Metro Theatre show in Sydney a couple weeks ago. Worth watching!

― Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 20 September 2008 09:02 (4 years ago) Permalink

Oh god, I get really worried every time I see this thread revived. Sort of "oh god, what's Anton done now..." So I'm glad it's that link.

They're being streamed at ATP as well.

― The Accountant Of Taste (Masonic Boom), Saturday, 20 September 2008 10:25 (4 years ago) Permalink

5 months pass...

Good grief... 8 person BJM lineup for the Primal Scream shows in the states. I knew Joel was back, but so is Matt Hollywood now.

― Chris Barrus (Elvis Telecom), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 22:20 (4 years ago) Permalink

Waiting on the inevitable Dug.

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 3 March 2009 22:20 (4 years ago) Permalink

OH SHIT!

― swedes put dill on fields of salmon (fields of salmon), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 23:07 (4 years ago) Permalink

Sorry, I just saw this on Twitter.

That wasn't just one of those endless Keep Music Evil rumours? he really is back?

(For how long?)

― Craft Punk (Masonic Boom), Tuesday, 3 March 2009 23:29 (4 years ago) Permalink

The Polyphonic Anton

― System Jr. (Mackro Mackro), Wednesday, 4 March 2009 00:50 (4 years ago) Permalink

That wasn't just one of those endless Keep Music Evil rumours? he really is back?

As with anything BJM-related, nothing is set until they're on stage but here's what I know...

Collin missed the last European tour because of scheduling conflicts with his wedding. He was with the BJM in Australia and New Zealand in August.
It's always possible/probable that Will Carruthers will play with the BJM again at some point.
The line up for the 2009 U.S. tour for all the dates will be-
Anton
Frankie
Joel
Matt H.
Ricky
Rob C.
Collin
Dan

― Chris Barrus (Elvis Telecom), Wednesday, 4 March 2009 02:03 (4 years ago) Permalink

OK, so I'm listening to the new BJM song "This Is The One Thing We Did Not" and it's a blatant blatant blatant rip of "She's Lost Control." It's as dead on of a rip as "This Is Why You Love Me" is to "Feel A Whole Lot Better" and so yeah, OK, we know what's going to happen. However, midway through, Anton puts in one of those preposterously catchy choruses that he's expert at and the whole thing works together. Since it's a BJM song, everything kinda shambles and you aren't sure if everything is in tune, but damnit I like it. A lot.

All other post-BRMC/fuzz/slog/self-aware bands please step aside.

― Chris Barrus (Elvis Telecom), Thursday, 5 March 2009 01:18 (4 years ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

Anyone seen them with the updated Hollywood lineup? What can I expect? Is it worth attending?

― Reatards Unite, Monday, 6 April 2009 18:01 (4 years ago) Permalink

Flipping great. There's a lot of YouTube clips of the current tour if you want to see what the deal is, but I would absolutely go...

― Chris Barrus (Elvis Telecom), Monday, 6 April 2009 19:31 (4 years ago) Permalink

6 months pass...

amazing halloween costume

― jaxon, Thursday, 29 October 2009 01:58 (3 years ago) Permalink

Pretty sure he crashed at my apartment in the 90's in the Lower Haight for a week or so. It was either him or some dude from the Rosemary's. Think he stayed in a walk in closet. Anton used to sell E and some other crap and he was doing all this stuff on our kitchen table, in order to sell it, but he wasn't wearing any gloves and he was so fucking high it was amazing.

― svend, Thursday, 29 October 2009 03:48 (3 years ago) Permalink

who IS that dressed as Joel? this is in 'the back' at Amoeba btw.

― mikebee (BATTAGS), Tuesday, 10 November 2009 20:32 (3 years ago) Permalink

ha ha, brilliant costume ^^^^^^^ Joel is such a dude, he's awesome.

― Persian Pickle (Masonic Boom), Tuesday, 10 November 2009 22:27 (3 years ago) Permalink

2 months pass...

New album Who Killed Sgt. Pepper = pretty nice, almost a spiritual successor to Methodrone given long songs, heavy instrumental focus, less emphasis on live rock in favor of studio creation, more electronic than garagey in many ways. Vocals de-emphasized or set back in the mix -- really not what I was expecting from the return of Matt Hollywood as well!

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 28 January 2010 22:43 (3 years ago) Permalink

Kind of curious to hear this one, though I never did get around to the last one either.

― you gone float up with it (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Thursday, 28 January 2010 22:54 (3 years ago) Permalink

The bits and pieces I've heard sounded interesting. I'm looking forward to sitting down and hearing the whole thing.

― dynamicinterface, Thursday, 28 January 2010 23:46 (3 years ago) Permalink

It's my fave album of theirs in a long time and the Methodrone evocation is spot-on. Full circle after all these years, who woulda thought? Still wondering if Will plays on this.

― Elvis Telecom, Friday, 29 January 2010 00:07 (3 years ago) Permalink

Press guff said he did unless I completely misread it. If that's him he does a good job; nearly every song is driven by rhythm rather than melody.

― Ned Raggett, Friday, 29 January 2010 00:08 (3 years ago) Permalink

If that's him he does a good job; nearly every song is driven by rhythm rather than melody

Of course, it's Will!

― Elvis Telecom, Friday, 29 January 2010 00:14 (3 years ago) Permalink

And all is well. Or Will.

― Ned Raggett, Friday, 29 January 2010 00:16 (3 years ago) Permalink

Wow wow wow this is exactly the album I need right now.

― fields of salmon, Sunday, 31 January 2010 18:16 (3 years ago) Permalink

What are these guys like live these days? Seeing them in Boston in June.

― Jazzbo, Monday, 1 February 2010 15:56 (3 years ago) Permalink

I saw them live last summer and really enjoyed the show. There's tons of their live stuff on youtube, of varying quality.

― dynamicinterface, Monday, 1 February 2010 20:10 (3 years ago) Permalink

What are these guys like live these days? Seeing them in Boston in June.

If the eight-piece line up is continuing (crossing my fingers that they will), they're more gritty shoegaze sandstorm than various wrecks of attitude-aspiration. Their set from Coachella 2009 is here: http://webinfront.net/?p=1963 - even after years of seeing them there were a couple of "whoa" moments (if anything, skip directly ahead to "When Jokers Attack" - this might just be their finest moment ever)

― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 1 February 2010 23:20 (3 years ago) Permalink

For those who like this, it may be worth returning to JAMC - Honey's Dead, too.

― Spectrum, Friday, 5 February 2010 23:52 (3 years ago) Permalink

Just found out The Young Sinclairs will be opening up the for the east coast leg of the U.S. tour.

Via their myspace

http://www.myspace.com/theyoungsinclairs

― dynamicinterface, Sunday, 7 February 2010 20:41 (3 years ago) Permalink

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.

― Reatards Unite, Monday, 8 February 2010 05:41 (3 years ago) Permalink

2 weeks pass...

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.

― There's Always Been A Dance Element To (Masonic Boom), Tuesday, 23 February 2010 11:39 (3 years ago) Permalink

2 years pass...

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.

― Vini Reilly Invasion (Elvis Telecom), Friday, 18 May 2012 21:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

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

― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 19 May 2012 00:34 (1 year ago) Permalink

10 months pass...

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?

― ProAm Chomsky (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Sunday, 24 March 2013 10:43 (1 month ago) Permalink

Maybe Methadrone?

― Trip Maker, Sunday, 24 March 2013 14:51 (1 month ago) Permalink

I'd go with the last one (Aufheben)

― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 25 March 2013 21:56 (1 month ago) Permalink

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

― mark e, Monday, 25 March 2013 21:59 (1 month ago) Permalink

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.

― Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 30 March 2013 20:07 (1 month ago) Permalink

― Punxsutawney PiL (brownie), Sunday, 31 March 2013 03:56 (1 month ago) Permalink

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