Over its decade-long history, the band has undergone a large number of personnel changes. Multi-instrumentalist and main songwriter Anton Newcombe is the only member who has stayed with the Brian Jonestown Massacre since its beginning, when it was founded by Newcombe, tambourine player Joel Gion (who stayed with him the longest), and guitarist/bassist/vocalist Matt Hollywood. There are at least two dozen musicians who have been in the BJM at one point or another.
Ex-members include: guitarist Jeff Davies; Matt Hollywood, a founding member of Portland band The Out Crowd; Peter Hayes, founding member of San Francisco rock trio Black Rebel Motorcycle Club; Joel Gion, a founding member of San Francisco band, The Dilettantes; Rob Campanella, a Los Angeles producer and engineer who has worked with The Tyde, Beachwood Sparks, Dead Meadow, Mia Doi Todd, Frausdots, Scarling., and his band The Quarter After; Bobby Hecksher, founding member of Los Angeles band The Warlocks; solo recording artist Miranda Lee Richards; Matt Tow, founding member of the Australian band The Lovetones.
Current long-term members include Collin Hegna (bass), Frankie Teardrop (guitar,noise,etc), and Dan Allaire (percussion). Long-time guitarist Ricky Rene Maymi was recently replaced by Irina Yaikowsky for a short tour, who was in turn, replaced by Ricky Rene Maymi.
Much has been made of the fact that Newcombe is head strong and has just one vision in mind: his own. However, many of the musicians who quit his band have stayed in his orbit and continue working with him in some capacity. Newcombe was, at one point, a drummer in Hecksher's Warlocks. Campanella produces or engineers many of the records on Newcombe's record label, the Committee to Keep Music Evil and has also been on the last 2 highly successful European tours, playing keyboards and on occasion, guitar. Gion is forever showing back up shaking the tambourine at BJM shows. Even the Dandy Warhols appear to have buried the hatchet with Newcombe, as he joined them onstage at Lollapalooza in July of 2005.
In 2005 the band released the EP We Are the Radio, on Newcombe's record label The Committee to Keep Music Evil.
The band announced the release of a new studio album, tentatively titled My Bloody Underground, which was released in 2008. On September 3, 2007, the band released rough recordings from the album for download from their website. Music videos of the songs on the album have also been released, including a music video compilation DVD entitled 'Book of Days'. Songs from Brian Jonestown Massacre were specially adapted for use in the score to the critically acclaimed independent film, "Four Eyed Monsters."
B.S.A.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
so i can chase her down the street
never seen nothing like her
she nearly knocked me off my feet
it's going to be a long cold winter
but i feel so warm
when i'm in her
she goes off like a shot-gun
she's got me begging on my knees
like a kiss from jesus
made me forget my diease
it's going to be a long cold winter
but i feel so warm
when i'm in her
when i'm in her arms
i'm going to steal a motorcycle
so i can chase her down the street
never seen nothing like her
she nearly knocked me off my feet
it's going to be a long cold winter
but i feel so warm
when i'm in her
when i'm in her arms
got a feeling
i'm going in deep
through your skinny arms around me
until i can't breath
and stop running away
stop running away from me
ah-ha-ha-ha-ah-ha-ah-ha-yeah!
stop running away
stop running away from me!
stop running away
stop running away from me!
ah-ha-ah-ha-ha-ha-ah-ha-yes
The Brian Jonestown Massacre's song B.S.A. is a love song that centers around the singer's pursuit of a woman who has stolen his heart. He is so enamored with her that he is willing to go to great lengths to be with her, even going as far as buying or stealing a motorcycle to chase her down the street. He compares the rush of being with her to a warm feeling, even though he knows that winter is just around the corner. The woman in question is described as someone who is unforgettable and has knocked him off his feet.
The lyrics of the song are filled with intense emotions, which are further expressed through the use of metaphors. The woman is compared to a shotgun, and her kisses are likened to the healing powers of Jesus. At one point, the singer begs her to stop running away from him and to hold him tightly until he can't breathe. The song exudes a sense of urgency and passion, which is further heightened by the music.
Line by Line Meaning
going to buy a motorcycle
I am willing to do anything to catch up with the person I am attracted to, including buying a motorcycle.
so i can chase her down the street
I am so enamored with this person that I want to pursue them relentlessly.
never seen nothing like her
The person I am infatuated with is unlike anyone I have ever met before.
she nearly knocked me off my feet
The object of my affection has completely swept me off my feet with their charm and charisma.
it's going to be a long cold winter
Despite the challenges that may lie ahead, I am still determined to win over the person I desire.
but i feel so warm
The intense feelings I have for this person make me feel incredibly warm and alive.
when i'm in her
When I am in the presence of the person I desire, all of my worries melt away.
when i'm in her arms
Being held by the person I am attracted to is the ultimate form of comfort and security for me.
she goes off like a shot-gun
Just being near the object of my affection makes my heart race and my head spin.
she's got me begging on my knees
I am completely at the mercy of the person I am attracted to and will do whatever it takes to win their love.
like a kiss from jesus
The person I desire has the ability to make me forget all of my troubles and worries with just a single touch or kiss.
made me forget my diease
Being with the person I am attracted to is the ultimate cure for all of my problems and insecurities.
i'm going to steal a motorcycle
My obsession with this person has driven me to consider reckless and risky behavior just to be with them.
got a feeling
I am so strongly drawn to this person that it almost feels like a premonition or intuition.
i'm going in deep
My feelings and emotions for this person are incredibly intense and profound.
through your skinny arms around me
Being embraced by the person I desire is the ultimate act of love and acceptance for me.
until i can't breath
Being held by the person I am attracted to is so overwhelming and intense that it takes my breath away.
and stop running away
I am determined to win over the person I desire, no matter how much they may try to avoid me or push me away.
stop running away from me
My desire for this person is so strong that I am begging them to stay and give me a chance to win their love.
ah-ha-ha-ha-ah-ha-ah-ha-yeah!
I am laughing and smiling in disbelief at the power this person has over me.
stop running away
I am pleading with the person I am attracted to to stop denying their feelings for me and give me a chance.
ah-ha-ah-ha-ha-ha-ah-ha-yes
I am filled with a sense of hope and optimism that the person I desire will finally reciprocate my feelings.
Contributed by Hunter B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@eyeadore
I absolutely love this song.. "But I feel so warm when I'm in her... when I am in her arms." Hot damn.
@SeanWayneTV
THANK GOD FOR MATT HOLLYWOOD
@0degreesK
Yeah, I have to agree this is my favorite album by BJTM. And, this track is a great example of the Matt Hollywood factor in the band. Anton Newcombe is a genius for sure, but when I look at my favorite tracks by BJTM, it's split down the middle Newcombe and Hollywood. What a great band.
@marshallemmet1366
Their sound I always noticed became less "fun" after Matt left, Anton is a very serious person when it comes to art it turns out - but I adore all the post Matt albums, especially BR&N!
@brianwilsongoodmeme7800
Killer solo and the sympathy for the devil backing vocal who's just kick ass
@saintandrews83
My favourite BJTM song !
@VenerableNut
Their best song
@hannahthompson872
no such thing as a long cold winter when anton is in my life
@cod089
best BJM album hands down...
@scnbjm
Love this song and the whole album, 2k + views and no comments ? Anton would be ashamed..