Brightest Young Things

The last time I saw the Brian Jonestown Massacre was at the Metro Café in Logan Circle. It was Valentine’s Day 2002 and rumor had it that Anton Newcombe and company were banned from playing at the Black Cat due to a previous incident with a soundguy. Whether or not this was true, I’m still not sure. But I’d just gotten into them and I was really keen to see them live in a small space. Turned out to be one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. And after the show, I had the pleasure of meeting Anton, who turned out to be a little bit loopy, but very was very cool. Far from the menacing drug addict that was portrayed in Ondi Timoner’s “Dig!”

Fast forward seven years and it seems rather unbelievable that I’m seeing the same band in the same city. The Metro Café is long gone, having been closed down due to plumbing issues. The band’s lineup, too, has shifted; but this time, for the better. Tambourine player Joel Gion is back in the band. I had a bit of a fanboy moment when I said hi to him while walking down 9th Street. But I was even happier to spot guitarist Matt Hollywood watching the opening band from the side of the stage. It’s these two, plus Anton Newcombe, who form the core of the band’s classic lineup. Now if you put them on a stage with “newer” members like Frankie Teardrop, Collin Hegna, Ricky Maymi and Rob Campanella, BAM. Unfuckwithable !!!

The Brian Jonestown Massacre came on stage around 9:15 pm and my God, they looked ridiculously good. I mean yea, nowadays there are plenty of bands that sport the “rocker” look (drainpipe jeans, cowboy boots, junkie leather jacket, etc). Unfortunately most of these kids are too clean cut/put together to make it look authentic. (A lot of them spend more money on their wardrobe than they do on equipment - unforgivable, in my humble opinion). The BJM have the filth, addictions and attitude to make that shit look 100% natural. Combine that with an arsenal of beautiful vintage instruments and you’ve got the recipe for absolute cool.

Superficial musings aside, the show was amazing. I think that “Dig!” gave a lotta people a bad impression of this band. I’m sure there was a segment of people who were praying for a fight or a riot. Thankfully, the evening went by pretty peacefully. Granted, one heckler yelled “Go fuck yourself, Anton,” but he was quickly chopped down by the band. As a fan, I couldn’t be more pleased with the set list. They drew heavily on their trio of 1996 releases (Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request, Take It from the Man! and Thank God for Mental Illness), but also played earlier favorites like “That Girl Suicide.” They even snuck in a new song while Matt went to the bathroom. And much to my surprise, they closed out the show with a lengthy rendition of “Swallowtail,” a song that went unreleased for many years. It was a real treat to discover how good of a tambourine player Joel was – he never missed a beat, even while chain-smoking menthols and taking big gulps from a bottle of Maker’s Mark.
Oh, the high point of my evening? Matt Hollywood singing “Got My Eye on You,” one of my favorite mixtape songs EVER. Dude, welcome home!

After the show, there was an after party at the Velvet Lounge. I left before the heavy hitters (Anton, Joel and Matt) came through. But Collin, Rob and Frankie were all present and definitely down to have a good time. As I rode home in the cold, I sorta regretted leaving early, mostly because I knew that something ridiculous would go down if I stayed out. But I was happy to know that the Brian Jonestown Massacre didn’t totally self-destruct and that they’re still capable of playing great shows. Hell, I didn't want them to stop playing.

Previously in Live DC:

• 2/13: LiveDC: George Clinton & The Parliament-Funkadelic @ 930 Club
• 2/13: LiveDC: Veronica Falls/ Brilliant Colors @ Black Cat
• 2/13: LIVE DC: Steve Aoki/ Datsik/ Alvin Risk @ Fillmore
• 2/13: LiveDC: The Darkness @ 930 Club
• 2/9: LiveDC: Theophilus London @ 930 Club
• 2/9: Best Weekend Bets
• 2/8: LiveDC: Kathleen Edwards @ 930 Club
• 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
• 2/8: LiveDC: Thurston Moore/ Kurt Vile @ Black Cat
• 2/7: LiveDC: Demetri Martin @ Warner Theatre