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."
Evergreen
The Brian Jonestown Massacre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or make me feel fine
I feel I've wasted my time
Lately
Nothing feels right
I feel like taking my time
Is a new world to explore
Once you've said you loved me
Right behind your door
Is a treasure you've ignored
But you have to trust me
Or nail me to the boards
Crown of thorns for my rewards
And you've said you loved me
Ah ah ah, ah
The opening lines of The Brian Jonestown Massacre's track Evergreen offer a glimpse into the mind of an individual who is struggling with their own sense of purpose and direction. The plea for help or for someone to make them feel fine is a cry for assistance or maybe just someone to talk to. The feeling of time being wasted, added with the notion that nothing feels right lately, suggests a battle with depression or a struggle for motivation.
As the song progresses, the lyrics shift to a more positive tone. The idea of a new world to explore and a treasure to be found, are motivations to persevere, but the question is if the person is willing to take the risk or would rather coast through life. The final line of the verse implies a sense of loyalty or trust in someone, however, it may come with a price. The line 'Crown of thorns for my rewards' suggests that the singer is well aware of the sacrifices needed in order to maintain a relationship or earn someone's trust. Overall, the song seems to touch on themes of uncertainty, individualism, and the need for guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
Help me
I am in need of assistance
Or make me feel fine
Provide me with something that will make me feel better
I feel I've wasted my time
I believe that I have not used my time wisely
Lately
Recently
Nothing feels right
Everything seems wrong
I feel like taking my time
I want to slow down and relax
Just beneath the floor
There is something hidden or unknown
Is a new world to explore
There are new opportunities and experiences to discover
Once you've said you loved me
If you have expressed your love for me in the past
Right behind your door
There is something valuable or important nearby
Is a treasure you've ignored
You have overlooked something of value
But you have to trust me
You must have faith in my judgement
Or nail me to the boards
Punish me harshly
Crown of thorns for my rewards
Receiving negative consequences for one's actions
And you've said you loved me
You have previously declared your love for me
Ah ah ah, ah
N/A
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED
Written by: Anton Newcombe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@estebanmolina8847
Help me
Or
Make me feel
Fine
I feel I've wasted my time.
Lately
Nothing feels
Right
I feel like
Taking my time
Just beneath the floor
Is a new world to explore
Once you've said you you loved me
Right behind your door
Is a treasure you've ignored
But you have to trust me
Or
Nail me to the boards
Crown of thorns for my rewards
And you've said you love me.
Aaaaaahhhhhhhh
@haydencourtney7419
Simply one of the most amazing songs of the shoegaze era. And then they went on to put out a dozen other 5 star albums. Anton is a genius.
@richbland6983
Just found this, wonderful-and it's really on a par with Fingertips amongst the best of this dreamy genre....
@estebanmolina8847
Help me
Or
Make me feel
Fine
I feel I've wasted my time.
Lately
Nothing feels
Right
I feel like
Taking my time
Just beneath the floor
Is a new world to explore
Once you've said you you loved me
Right behind your door
Is a treasure you've ignored
But you have to trust me
Or
Nail me to the boards
Crown of thorns for my rewards
And you've said you love me.
Aaaaaahhhhhhhh
@yirowarr3158
https://youtu.be/eG71RxM86Is <3
@SMEDLEYdale
My favourite song of theirs by far
@johndylanschwartz403
"Just beneath the floor
Is a new world to explore
Once you've said you loved me"
Wow. Every interpretation I try to discover in that musical phrase is fun to ponder.
Love it.
@TheFourthHouse
definitely one of my favorite bjm tunes
@ozymandiaz362
Uma das melhores músicas que ouvi na vida.
@KThompsonComedy
You have two of my fave BJM songs...thank you :)
@ShaneBordoli
yeah this was much needed!- thanks. I'll have a think about any more missing gems..!