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."
Ballad of Jim Jones
The Brian Jonestown Massacre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I lived on a mountain and once by the bay
I bought an apartment and slept in the hay
But there's no place that's softer than (your arms)
Living today is just getting so bad
There's a look on your face
And it says "you've been had!"
But don't make me mad
Cause there's nobody meaner than (me)
I prayed to Buddha, to Allah, and Jim
I turned to Jesus and stayed there with him
I fell in deep but I learned how to swim
Now there's no one who's cleaner than me or than him
The Brian Jonestown Massacre's song Ballad of Jim Jones tells the story of someone who has lived a varied and adventurous life, traveling from coast to coast, living in both opulence and simplicity, but ultimately finding comfort and protection in the embrace of their loved one. The singer of the lyrics seems to have experienced disillusionment with the state of the world and the people in it, recognizing that the world has a way of taking advantage of those who are vulnerable. But despite this cynicism, the singer also expresses a deep faith in a higher power or powers, seeking comfort and guidance from various religious figures. Ultimately, though, the singer's sense of cleanliness and purity come not from these figures, but from within themselves and their partner.
The verses of the song can be seen as a progression through different stages of the singer's life. The first line suggests a youthful wanderlust, with the singer setting out on a long journey from one coast to another. The second line seems to evoke a period of settling down and finding stability, living in different types of dwellings. The third line introduces the theme of finding solace in another person's embrace, and the chorus reinforces this as the most important aspect of the singer's life. The second verse introduces a sense of disillusionment and wariness, with the singer recognizing the dishonesty and cruelty in the world. The third and fourth lines of the verse, which mention money and aggression, respectively, suggest a kind of bitterness or defensiveness that the singer has developed as a result of these experiences. However, the bridge of the song provides a contrast to this negative outlook, as the singer reflects on their spiritual journey and how it has helped them find a sense of cleanliness and purity.
Overall, the song can be seen as a kind of meditation on the human experience of seeking meaning, fulfillment, and love in a world that can be harsh and unyielding. The singer has gone through various phases in their life and has encountered both good and bad, but ultimately the most important thing to them is the love and protection of their partner, and the spiritual wisdom that they have gained from their own journey.
Line by Line Meaning
I walked to New York and back from L.A
I've traveled far and wide; from the West Coast to the East and back, experiencing life through my journey.
I lived on a mountain and once by the bay
I've lived in various places, including the solitude and isolation of mountain tops and the vibrancy and connectedness of the coast.
I bought an apartment and slept in the hay
I've experienced both luxury and simplicity; from owning an apartment to sleeping on the hay, I value and appreciate every aspect of life.
But there's no place that's softer than (your arms)
No matter where I go or what I do, nothing compares to the comfort and safety I feel when I'm in the embrace of someone I love.
Living today is just getting so bad
The world we live in is becoming increasingly chaotic and challenging to navigate.
There's a look on your face
I can see the feelings of disappointment and betrayal on your face.
And it says "you've been had!"
You've been tricked, fooled, taken advantage of.
You can take all my money
You can take everything I have, my possessions, my wealth.
But don't make me mad
But don't anger or upset me.
Cause there's nobody meaner than (me)
Because when provoked or challenged, I can be a ruthless and fierce defender of myself and what I believe.
I prayed to Buddha, to Allah, and Jim
I've explored different religions and spiritual paths in my search for meaning and connection with something greater than myself.
I turned to Jesus and stayed there with him
I found comfort and solace in Christianity, and have remained steadfast in my faith.
I fell in deep but I learned how to swim
I've experienced challenges and struggles in life, but I've learned from them and become stronger and more resilient because of them.
Now there's no one who's cleaner than me or than him
Having gone through the process of self-discovery and growth, I feel that I'm a better person now, more morally upright and cleaner in my actions and intentions.
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@415BAY415
I was at Ameba Records on Height Street in SF and bought one of there albums. The cashier told me when i was buying it that their tamborine player worked there, and sure enough he was right behind me. Pretty cool.
@thingfish000
I can play "Maybe I'm Amazed" on the triangle.
@joekiddyshaw5757
Joel Gion works at Ameoba ?
@savingyoutime4755
I'm suprised he's qualified for that job to be honest
@eleventhmonkeygaming9476
Anton is a genius that's been to the dark side and back. Great entertainer, brilliant band with none of your corporate BS, nothing but hardwork.
@geoffcapelin5359
The most under rated artist in Rock n Roll history
@akewlen2888
Nobody to blame but themselves honestly.
@iaincullen7646
Those who are rock and roll know.
@user-og6hl6lv7p
@@akewlen2888 lmao, so true
@bookboy7007
and Guided By Voices