Coachella 2009 Day 3: Brian Jonestown Massacre makes peace

So intense is Brian Jonestown Massacre's epic coolness and greasy, '60s-streaked grittiness that on Sunday afternoon in the Mojave tent, the band of eight appeared almost as studiously typecast as the Village People -- if the Village People were influenced by crunchy, post-psychedelic guitar rock instead of groovy disco beats.

Or maybe it was just Joel Gion with his super-beefy lamb-chop sideburns, shaking his tambourine and maracas while wearing a fisherman's cap, a stonewashed jean jacket and aviator glasses, that conjured the connection.

Either way, the crowd had plenty of time to entertain useless notions such as those during the band's set. Singer Anton Newcombe, known for explosive bursts of anger and bizarre, often erratic behavior (he is a bit of a cult figure in the L.A. rock scene), played most of the show with his back to much of the audience, showing and giving practically nothing of himself to his rabid fans, many of whom, no doubt, hoped to catch his fever and feel the sting of his oddball spite.

Watching the limp, fragile singer onstage, seemingly defanged, I couldn't help but wonder, is this the same man who randomly cornered me at a party years ago, asked me if I would kill myself for him, and then faced with a definitive "no," proceeded to chastise me for lacking imagination?

As the set began picking up speed, two muscled jocks, one in a wife beater and the other in a Kobe Bryant jersey, began heckling Newcombe from the front of the stage, dropping merciless F-bomb clusters on him between songs, hoping to get a rise. They didn't even receive a swell. The band continued to play its rolling brand of rail-hopping blues/dirt rock, part Kinks, part Question Mark and the Mysterians, part Animals.

Five or six F-bomb blasts later, Newcombe leaned slowly into the mic and said, "Thanks everybody for hanging out and  watching us. I hope you enjoyed other bands," before slipping offstage 10 minutes early.

I felt a vague sense of disquiet and melancholy, like a moment of import had passed without my recognizing it and would never come again. I wasn't sure who to blame more: Myself, Newcombe or the losers in the front row.

-- Jessica Gelt

Photo of Anton Newcombe, left, by Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Mikey]

Let's all face it: BJM kinda suck.

[dicky dickerson]

Lets all go and watch the douche bag have a fit!!! what a crock, games, lies and the art of being inauthentic.Its boring, i'd rather sit at home and stare at a wall.

[rob]

BJM were great when they were sober.

The dragons tail derailed that band...I wonder if they can recapture their promise.

I hope so.

I hope I'll be in the front row next time to shout down the haters and let the music speak for itself.

[jpermo]

crazy good songs too bad the guy's gone past his prime of tweaking creativity with chemistry. It's a lot of ugly from here on out unless he gets clean.

[Da MAverick]

BJM suck as a band? Who are these yahoos? The Brian Jonestown Massacre are amazing. Say what you will about creative leader Anton Newcombe, Anton does less with more than most bands ever. I mean, when have you ever heard of a band releasing four full length albums in a year?

I agree that part of the allure of watching BJM is wondering if Anton is going to go berkerk. At Coachella, it appeared that he was on his best behavior (webcast). But somewhere during the set, the BJM brought on stage Zia McCabe of the Dandy Warhols. The webcast messed up, so I have no idea what on-stage banter took place when they introduced her. But more surprising is that the BJM would invite any member of the Dandy Warhols given their very public feud.

Can someone provide details on this?

[Thomas]

No surprise here. Nothing to be confused by. They always play bad shows, have the undeserved luxury of headlining huge festivals, and seem to never give back to any of their fans. By the way, for a band that coins themselves as "psychedelic", they certainly dont do any work to provide any kind of mind-altering experience except for 3-chord covers and a side of bad vibes. Why would Coachella book this band?

[Jen]

I overheard someone on Sunday say as the guys were setting up, "It's so awkward, they're not even friends." Matt said later when I told him, "True, we aren't friends, we're family."
The sad thing is that people get so caught up in what they saw in "Dig!" or what get's passed around in local "lore" that they really have no understanding of what is reality.
It's hardly surprising that they would invite a member of the DW's onstage, considering they see each other quite frequently when they aren't touring.
The fact of the matter is that they were sober on Sunday (well, except for maybe Frankie) and for those of you waiting around for Anton to get clean have clearly not been paying attention, because he is.
So, if you find yourself heading to see them in hopes of watching "the douchebag throw a fit", or hoping to see Zia and Joel in a fistfight over a set of maracas... stay home and watch "Dig!" on replay. You're obviously much more interested in Ondi's version of the story.

[Zac]

The Brian Jonestown Massacre are a mind blowing band that have influenced countless musicians. Anyone who things otherwise is a fool, or at least musically-retarded. For the most, people who appear to have little understanding of who they were/are. Such comments as "Why would Coachella book this band?" are completely absurd. Stay home and watch your Mtv then.

[Kat]

I was in the front row.. They played all their Best Songs! Zia made a special guest appearance and she was awesome! They were all Great!!! Fu*k the Jocks! What about all the people dancing and sweating their asses off enjoying what they paid for? And having one of the best time of their lives! Yay!!! BJM Rocked it Out!!!!!

[Hal9000]

Say what you will about BJM, I saw them a few weeks ago and they were absolutely fantastic live. Their music is great and they are a great live band. I kind of enjoy them without the hype of fisticuffs and verbal barrages.

[Dean]

I really find many of the comments on this board somewhat confusing, The Brian Jonestown Massacre are not just an Amazing band but have created a sound unlike anything these silly 80's styled flash in the pan bands are with these contrived trends that seem to be spewed in rags like spin and musics national enquirer "Rolling Stone" A band like BJM stand alone because unlike most so-called artist who pretend to live rock & roll BJM are Rock & roll-

[mark]

I am an old guy from the sf bay area - 52 - and have seen a lot of different music over the years at the Fillmore, Winterland, etc...Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, White Stripes, SOAD. I've seen BJM 3 times - most recently at the Fillmore with Primal Scream (they were excellent and noncontroversial, by the way- opening with Whoever You Are and ending with Hide and Seek). In contrast, I attended a show a few years ago in SF at a small club (The Independent) that was very frustrating due to some tool in the front trying to get a rise out of Anton and things got out of hand. I don't understand the mentality of paying money to come in and agitate an artist and essentially pee on everyone's picnic. Anyway, their catalogue of music is incredible and, while I do gravitate more to the older stuff I do enjoy much of the new as well. Over the past few years there is no band I listen to more than BJM - pretty much on a daily basis. And, when they are "on", as they were recently at the Fillmore, their sound is soaring and memorable.

[Joe]

This is the best band around. I'm a great musician. I can't draw freehand or rebuild an engine, but I can make wonderful sounds... and recognize them as well. Anton is the best musician out there, and that's all there is to it. My Bloody Underground is brilliant, musically and lyrically. People who don't like them must be retarded in some way.