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.
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