The Brian Jonestown Massacre: Smoking Acid

After being totally blown away by The Brian Jonestown Massacre's show a few weeks back, we were psyched to discover that they've just released a new EP entitled Smoking Acid. Upon downloading, we were even more psyched to discover that the release has a lot to offer. The five-track disc manages to span a few genres (not surprising, given the BJM's history), and offer up an overall vibe that has a lot more energy than we've heard from the band in a while.

The first two tracks are a solid dose of fuzzed-out guitar rock awesomeness. Lyrics are barely discernable, guitars are blazing, and it's all underpinned by a solid rock drone. Think of it as classic BJM on steroids. Following that are two takes on a tabla driven track called "Tempo 116.7". The first take ("Reaching Dangerous Levels Of Sobriety") is the more mellow of the two, and towards the end has some sonic manipulations that almost made us recall Liars. The second take ("Clean Acid / Dirty Beats") is driven by an uber-clean dance beat that we'd swear is from a drum machine. About halfway through the track even cuts in with a brief hip-hop vocal sample - suffice it to say, it's new territory for the band.

The EP closes with a seriously solid rock tune entitled "Super Fucked". The track is loaded with attitude, and driven by a march-time synth line that steadily trundles on over waves of distorted guitar strums. Once Anton Newcombe's vocals kick in, the track really gets comfortable, and delivers one of the best performances we've heard from the band in a while. Without a doubt, it's the highlight of the EP.

Given BJM's notoriously prolific writing style, it's not a huge surprise to see a new EP from them. That being said, we're psyched to hear the record be so solid. It continues to support our observation that the band is in something of a second-coming mode, and that they're finally realizing the success that their talent should afford them. We're psyched to hear what's next.

mp3: The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Super Fucked

Brian Jonestown Massacre Played The Independent - Pictures, Review

San Francisco must have some special blessing for being Brian Jonestown Massacre's city of origin. Despite the reels of film depicting Anton Newcombe as a tyrannical despot, and despite the numerous accounts of these events actually being true, it seems that every time the band is in town they simply deliver, and deliver in force.

Last time we saw them was about a year and a half ago. Despite a debacle involving a closed Bay Bridge, the band still managed to show up, play a massive, incredibly solid set, and hail the return of tambourineist extraordinaire Joel Gion. Well, this time around, things were no different: the band offered up an incredibly bulletproof and lengthy set, and Gion was still in attendance. Not only that, but we were in disbelief to witness the return of none other than Matt Hollywood!

Hollywood's departure from the band was a huge moment in the film Dig, and frankly was so dramatic that we were downright shocked to see him as the band took the stage. Nonetheless, it seems that bygones are truly bygones. Hollywood stuck to the stage throughout the show, singing on a huge number of tunes, and delivering a totally solid performance. We must say, having both Hollywood and Gion in the band really gives it a much more unified feel. Despite their high technical skill, the band's lineup was starting to seem something like a revolving door. It was nice to be able to watch the band and get the feel that they were truly a unit. Even more impressive was that Newcombe also seems to have buried the hatchet.

Besides giving Hollywood and Gion plenty of room, and introducing them personally, Newcombe's stage persona was toned down in general. Over the course of something like three hours (we forgot to check our watch), Newcombe kept himself firmly isolated to one side of the stage, often in the dark, and seemed intent to simply deliver a solid performance. Only at one point (to restart a song) did Newcombe seem to venture anywhere near the primadonna vibe that has so dogged him in the past. It was fantastic to see such a solid musician finally allowing himself to relax and play a fantastic set.

And the set was fantastic. From start to finish, it was an unrelenting exploration into the music that makes BJM such a renowned live act. The droney, layered guitars, the unabashedly Brit-aping vocals, and the catchiness of songs that in many ways seem like they really shouldn't be catchy: it's a marvel to behold.

Suffice it to say, it seems that BJM are finally managing to distance themselves from the self destructive behavior that made Dig such a tragedy. Even more spectacular is that as they do so, people are taking notice. Not only is the band opening for Primal Scream, but they're selling out venues on their own on the off days. There wasn't a ticket to be had at the Independent, and deservedly so - BJM is on the rebound. If they're coming round your way, we highly recommend you stop in. You won't be sorry.

mp3: Brian Jonestown Massacre - That Girl Suicide

Many more pictures at the HAD Archive

Brian Jonestown Massacre At Independent Tomorrow Night, Tickets On-Sale Now

Picture from the HAD Archive

If you weren't prepared to shell out for a Fillmore show, or if St. Patrick's Day just won out on your priority list, well, you're in luck. Brian Jonestown Massacre, who are opening for Primal Scream at the Fillmore tonight, have added a date tomorrow night at the Independent. Tickets are on-sale now, and bound to go quickly. Get them while they're hot!

mp3: Brian Jonestown Massacre - Telegram

Droney Noise Rock Super Bill: Primal Scream and Brian Jonestown Massacre Come To The Fillmore

Photo from the HAD Archive

We don't have enough to put this in the "official news" category yet, but it's looking like Primal Scream and Brian Jonestown Massacre will be playing a bill at The Fillmore on Saint Patrick's Day; March 17th, 2009. Presumably this would be part of Primal Scream's US tour for their most recent record, Beautiful Future, while BJM would be continuing their support of My Bloody Underground's legitimate CD release. No official details of a ticket on-sale as of yet, but we'll keep you in the know. In the mean time, head over here and download a free copy of Primal Scream covering Hawkwind's "Urban Guerilla". Enjoy!

As Promised: Brian Jonestown Massacre Video - "Preambulatory"

Here it is, from last Monday at the Independent, "Preambulatory"!



Enjoy!

Song Of The Week: Brian Jonestown Massacre Stolen

After Monday's show at the Independent, I decided some BJM listening was in order. In particular, I went back and gave new attention to Bravery, Repetition, and Noise. I was blown away by "Telegram" at the Indie, and wanted to refresh on the rest of the album. What I discovered was that a) the album is completely awesome start to finish, and that b) the song "Stolen" is the best minute and a half of music I've heard in a while. Enjoy:

mp3: Brian Jonestown Massacre - Stolen
mp3: Brian Jonestown Massacre - Bravery, Repetition, and Noise (full album)

2007-09-03: Brian Jonestown Massacre @ The Independent

Tonight, Anton Newcombe made me a believer.

At 9 PM, things didn't look good: neither band had arrived at the venue, and it was making out to be one of the BJM's notorious disasters frequently outlined in the film Dig!. Take it forward another hour until 10: still no instruments on stage, still no bands, still looking bad. Half an hour more: Finally, an explanation: the band hadn't realized that the bay bridge was closed for labor day weekend, so they ended up having to go to Richmond bridge, and ended up being about two hours late. Understandable, and shitty. Everyone took it in stride: the crowd was happy that by now, the bands had arrived and the opener had set up. An anxious, hot, and tired crowd waited desperately for something to happen. And something did.

Dimmer front-man Shayne P Carter

New Zealand natives Dimmer started out the night by doing the seemingly impossible. They got a bunch of tired fans to actually like the opener. They used their sonic might to slay the crowd, and reel them in for more. A restless mass that had been waiting for BJM to arrive was thoroughly enthralled by the 4-piece's powerful, droney, shoegaze rock. The band was such a solid compliment to the headliners that it almost could have been a double bill. I unknowingly asked the lead singer of Dimmer as he set up his rig (I thought he was a roadie) - "Will the opener still be playing?" "I hope so" he replied ironically. I'm glad he was right, and by the look of the line at the merch table, the crowd felt the same way.

Now it was time for the crowd to tolerate another half hour of downtime for the inevitable set change between acts: all was well and good following Dimmer's fantastic set. Slowly the PA switched over to a heartbeat driven noise track which was gradually complimented by the playing of the band. 11:45: Enter Brian Jonestown Massacre. Surprise: Joel Gion. San Francisco resident, former band member, sometimes guest, proceeded to remain on stage for the entire show.

What was that show, exactly? It was a non-stop blast of rock and roll, two hours of mayhem and noise, with a little bit of chaos thrown in for good measure. I mentioned that last summer in Sacramento, the impression from Dig! was very similar to the impression I got in person. Tonight was dramatically different. The band was in fantastic form, and seemed to be getting along. The only snags were a momentary heckler from the audience, and a wonky mic cable. Other than that, it was a completely solid jam. The band played new material ("Preambulatory", see video below) and ended the set with a killer "Love Is a Drug" jam, followed by "Telegram".

What all of this came together to make me realize is that Anton Newcombe truly is a unique talent. Previously I had always wanted to believe this, but had never seen it for myself. Tonight I did. The current incarnation of BJM is a hardy, talented team of musicians, who have a lot to offer when they get their ducks in a row. If this show was any indication of what's coming up from Brian Jonestown Massacre, then we all have a lot to look forward to.

Brian Jonestown Massacre plays the Independent again tomorrow, the show is sold out. Get a ticket, if you can.
Many, many, more pictures available at the h.a.d. flickr feed.

Video of the newest tune, Preambulatory, forthcoming.

Anton Newcombe leaks new Brian Jonestown Massacre album My Bloody Underground To The Interwebs

Continually anti-corporate rock icon Anton Newcombe continued his crusade on August 31st by releasing the latest Brian Jonestown Massacre album, My Bloody Underground, for free download. The album has yet to be played live, and is being described by fans as "utterly spectacular" and having a "primitive power and intensity". Others seem to think that the album is primarily demos and/or raw material. Anyway, if you're up to tolerate some popups to get the blood flowing for Monday's show, have a listen yourself!

Leak: Brian Jonestown Massacre - My Bloody Underground

Gamble Of The Week: Brian Jonestown Massacre

Coming up this Monday and Tuesday, notorious local troublemaker Anton Newcombe will be bringing his ever rotating cast of musical characters to the Independent for a two night stand. It seems inevitable that every discussion of BJM these days is accompanied by a mention of the 2005 documentary Dig! The film is a totally fantastic and bizarre look into the musical competition of BJM and the Dandy Warhols over the course of the 90's. Following the film's release, Newcombe insisted that his drug use and many outbursts were taken out of context, and that the film misrepresented him. Now, I don't know him, so in some cases that may be true. However, in the show I saw two summers ago at Old Ironsides in Sacramento, he was firmly "in character" from the film. Songs stopped and started haphazardly, he yelled at other band members, and everyone looked pretty upset in general. Now, that being said, when they hit their groove the tunes were sublime, and the performances awesome. Point being: this isn't a guaranteed smooth and polished rock show that you might expect from your average band. My recommendation for this coming Monday and Tuesday? Go check them out - I think the good firmly outweighs the bad here, and I always see BJM as a worthwhile risk when they come to town.

Dimmer opens, Monday night is already sold out.

mp3: BJM - Vacuum Boots
mp3: BJM - Super-Sonic
Bonus: Most of the BJM back catalog is available for free on their website in the open source ogg format.