In The Jingle Jangle Jungle

 

The Brian Jonestown Massacre were (and still are) notorious for their prolific drug consumption, which, coupled with leader Anton Newcombe's fierce temper, often led to members falling out and fighting on stage, or even quitting the band mid-gig.

Dig!, the 2004 documentary, beautifully captures their creative energy, DIY punk ethic and insatiable appetite for drugs. Now, we get to dig (pun intended) a little deeper into the early years (the first 10) thanks to tambourine player Joel Gion's autobiography In The Jingle Jangle Jungle.

Gion is an almost mythical legend of the American independent, alternative and psychedelic scene. Labelled the 'American Bez' by some, he stood with Anton through it all the weirdness, the fights, the fuzziness, the facial hair and even when he walked away, he turned and came back.

In The Jingle Jangle Jungle captures the madness of forming, performing and storming (I don't think you could ever say 'norming') in and within The Brian Jonestown Massacre. 

Gion comes across as a loveable (and knowledgable) music fan who literally stumbled across the band he was looking for and was invited to join. Did he fall in with the right crowd or the wrong crowd?

Well, that is for you to decide. Regardless of your thoughts, it's quite the ride!

Gion seems to wander aimlessly through this phase of his life with no particular ambitions or aims, tossing his beloved record shop job aside to take drugs, party and play tambourine in the band. Before long he is staying in a warehouse, manufacturing LSD sheets and delivering drugs across San Francisco. 

On more than one occasion Gion becomes as broke as you can get; starving for food and craving for drugs. His beautiful soul, cool vibes and chaotic lifestyle means that he always has a floor or sofa to crash on. Most of the time.

Joel wears his beloved Beatle boots down to the extent that they are hollow. He scrapes the remains of drugs off floors and he beautifully (and very often hilariously) captures BJM adventures around the country. The band also, miraculously, scrape by; financially, physically and mentally, driven (whether they like it or not) by the relentless creative energy burning within Anton Newcombe.

Gion's faith in Anton is heartwarming. He recognises the fine line between madness and genius and sticks with Anton when everyone else leaves him. Of course, Gion might not really have had an option. What else was he going to do? 

Burn outs and fall outs are inevitable when you hurtle through life at 100mph. At one stage, Gion escapes to family, but when he returns he is immediately sucked back into the BJM rocket ship and becomes co-pilot. 

At times, the rocket ship is probably on auto pilot, but that is all part of the (not so harmless) fun. That BJM survived and went on to thrive is a remarkable tale. Gion's writing style takes you right into the heart of the journey - his vivid descriptions place you there, his humour gets you through it. 

It was a joy to attend Joel's reading at Monorail at the end of February, his voice accompanied me as I tore through this book night after night. Highly recommended.

Order directly from White Rabbit Books 

Strung Out In Heaven

I've always loved the sound of an acoustic guitar combining with an electric. And the sound of boy/girl voices singing at the same time. I caught up with my friend James |a number of times through the last two years to jam on guitars and I discussed the perfect sound I'd like to create if I was in a band. We ended up forming one!

James pointed me in the direction of Strung Out In Heaven by the Brian Jonestown Massacre ... and what a recommendation that has proved to be!

Released back in 1998, Strung Out In Heaven was the 7th full album by the already prolific band. There were a couple of major differences to this record than those that had gone before. Firstly, it was released on TVT Records, a much larger independent label than those the band had been on before. Secondly, and most importantly, it was the first Jonestown record where guitarist Matt Hollywood led a little more on the sound and contributed more to the songwriting, taking lead vocals on a number of songs.

The album has such a beautiful natural feeling to it. Dreamy, stoned, heartfelt and the sound of a band totally in their own world, happy and at ease.

Opening song Going to Hell has Newcombe on lead vocals, keys underpin everything as the band crash gloriously together into a real groove, the lead guitar is played so warmly and lovingly. The feeling and energy bursting out of the speakers is infectious.

Well they say you've been good

And some say you've been bad

I like to laugh when you're happy baby

You make me cry when you're sad

Jennifer is a real favourite of mine. Lazy laid back guitar chords and Newcombe and Miranda Lee Richards vocals combine in 

Right over my bed while I was sleeping

You said the clouds were always weeping rain

I'd love to show you but I don't know what to do again

The laid back sunshine stoned groove of Spun is all kinds of mellow goodness.Listen to the cello coming in at 2 minutes 56 seconds when Hollywood sings

Cause I feel like I've been spinning round and round

Yeah I feel like I've been spinning round and round

It's really beautiful, then the beats, guitars and Hammond organ kick back in as Hollywood blissfully sings

You're my sunshine

You're my sunshine

Got My Eye On You is another favourite. The rhythm guitar is solid, allowing the band to just groove. The vocals are deliciously loose; going all falsetto at times, while at others there just adlibbed shouting over the top - bombs away baby!

Maybe Tomorrow starts and drifts beautifully like The Stones. Matt Hollywood's lead vocals strain in all the right dreamy ways.

Baby you can take your time

And maybe tomorrow if the sun don'tshone

I'm gonna walk around until I find

Somebody to treat me, to treat me kind

Strung Out In Heaven is an album I've returned to regularly over the last couple of years. If you haven't heard it, then I highly recommend checking it out or tracking a copy down.  

Brian Jonestown Massacre - full live show from 1998

Brian Jonestown Peel Session from 1998

BMX Bandits Forever

BMX Bandits - Forever. Yeah BMX Bandits Forever, too right. 16 new tracks of heart-breaking, heart-aching, warm, reflective pop with contributions from and collaborations with many friends of the Bandits.

Duglas T Stewart, leader and conducted of the Bandits, has been releasing/leaking material from this beautiful album since as far back as 2014. I blogged about opening song My Girl Midge in September of that year, marvelling at the warm home production and stunning vocal delivery from Duglas.

Stewart's vocals are stunning on this album, capturing a moment, a feeling, a thought, a dream.... From speaking to Duglas I know that he favours a maximum of a few takes per song. That comes across in the right way on the album, from vocals, to playing and production.

Forever takes us on a journey; break up, memories, That Lonely Feeling, realisation and dreams in Rust .... and Duglas' heart isn't just on his sleeve, he is pouring it out.

If you come tonight then I won't die

The rust will turn to blood and I will be alive

And if they want to know the reason why

It's my love, my love

Saveoursmiles is a song I heard live back in January and it has that immediacy and simplicity that Stewart has an exceptional talent in finding. Only it's not that simple - just listen to the depth of those lyrics. There is a story and we have reached the point in the story where there is hope that our hero will win his true love back. There is a brilliant organ underpinning the song and the message is clear - lets help each other find our smiles

Tonight I need some you

And I think you need me too

The album takes an unexpected turn with the brilliant Love Me 'Til My Heart Stops, unexpected in that we hear from the other side. The melody and vocals by Chloe Philip are exquisite, as is the guitar playing and driving beat. I played this one a few times in a row. The chorus is delightful and flows superbly.

Forget the pain

Forget the nots

Love me until my heart stops

It's easier to take the blame

Love me until my heart stops

Somewhere is dangerously dark, stark, but absolutely beautiful. Fragile, hopeful (just), the sound of someone clinging on to love, hoping it will all work out somewhere. From the musical West Side Story, this is the sound of a broken heart on record with just a tiny shred of hope that it could be mended. There will not be a dry in the house if this is performed live.

Things take an upbeat turn with three songs recorded in collaboration with Dr Cosmos Tape Lab; Way Of The Wolf is gorgeous and then It's In Her Eyes is just brilliant - guaranteed to bring a smile to your face with it's warm feel, melody and story....from both sides. The way Duglas sings sounds so happy and the melody flows superbly.

It's in her eyes and the way that she smiles

It's in her words and her funny style

When we kiss and start to play

It feels love is meant to be this way....

It's Time begins with an electronic drum machine and a gorgeous glockenspiel melody. Stewart has been through the ringer and now it's time for the two to start again, to love again, to smile again, to live again, time to make a new start. This is pure Beach Boys and pure brilliance.

Next up is another brilliant collaboration, so brilliant that I hope Duglas goes back out to Berlin to record with Anton Newcombe from Brian Jonestown Massacre again. The feel and flow of Razorblades and Honey is sublime. One of the best things Duglas has done in my humble opinion. It's raw, it's rough and it's ready. I love it. The guitar solo is ace, the rhythm section is tight and flowing throughout.

Right now you think you're something

But soon you're gonna be nothing

And then we have The Beach Boys Forever. One of the best songs you are ever likely to hear, especially when you hear it being sung by someone so head over heels in love. It is little wonder that Duglas chose not only to record this song, but also to name the album after it.

I feel so happy loving you

No Matter What You Say starts all quiet before becoming a stomping declaration of love with more stunning vocals from Chloe Philip. One of the beautiful things about this album is hearing from different perspectives - most love albums are only from one.

How Not To Care is a gentle and reflective song with Stewart pouring his heart out again and the chorus is heartfelt and cleverly written.

She doesn't want my love any more

But I don't know how not to care

Life Without You feels strange at the end of the album and weird coming after the likes of Forever. It is short and to the point - Life feels rubbish without you

Then we end with a short reprise of Mais Do Que Valsa (Just A Memory) that is all kinds of dreamy gorgeousness.

Signed copies of BMX Bandits Forever are available at Monorail in Glasgow, or you can order vinyl or CD from the good folks at Elefant Records.