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."
I Dare You
The Brian Jonestown Massacre Lyrics
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With somebody who would know
Who believes in what you are
You're my favorite thing by far
There's a fire in your eyes
I see it all sometimes
In the darkness of the night
Yes, I'm sure it shines in you
There's no warm place left to go
When I'm feeling kind of slow (slow down, sir)
Do you like the way you are
Yes it is, 'cause you're the star
It's the brightness in your eyes
I see it all tonight
In the darkness of my light
Shining on the chosen few
This song, "Love," by The Brian Jonestown Massacre, feels introspective and reflective, as though the lyrics are directed towards oneself. The opening lines, "Does she love you, you suppose? / With somebody who would know," suggest that the singer is questioning their own value and whether they are truly loved. The next line, "Who believes in what you are," highlights the importance of self-love and acceptance. The line "You're my favorite thing by far" seems to suggest that the singer is their own favorite thing, and that's all that matters.
The chorus speaks of a fire in the eyes, which can refer to passion or determination. The line "Yes, I'm sure it shines in you" suggests that this fire is within the singer themselves. The second verse speaks of feeling lost and unsure, with "no warm place left to go." However, the line "Do you like the way you are / Yes it is, 'cause you're the star" suggests that the singer finds comfort in their own identity and perhaps sees themselves as the center of their own universe. The final lines, "Shining on the chosen few," suggest that the singer may feel special or unique in their identity.
Overall, the song seems to be a reflection on self-love and acceptance, with the singer finding comfort in their own identity despite doubt and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Does she love you, you suppose?
Are you uncertain if she loves you or not?
With somebody who would know
Is there anyone who could confirm if she loves you or not?
Who believes in what you are
Is there anyone who has faith in your true nature and essence?
You're my favorite thing by far
You are the best thing in my life, without a doubt.
There's a fire in your eyes
I can sense a passionate intensity in your gaze.
I see it all sometimes
Occasionally I catch glimpses of that fire within your eyes.
In the darkness of the night
Even when it's dark, I can see it.
I see it many times
I see it frequently, not just occasionally.
Yes, I'm sure it shines in you
I'm certain that the fire within you burns brightly.
There's no warm place left to go
I feel lost and without comfort or solace.
When I'm feeling kind of slow (slow down, sir)
When I'm feeling down or moving too quickly, I need to pause and take a break.
Do you like the way you are
Are you satisfied with who you are as a person?
Yes it is, 'cause you're the star
Yes, you should be happy with yourself because you're amazing and brilliant.
It's the brightness in your eyes
That passionate energy I see in your gaze is what sets you apart.
I see it all tonight
This evening, I see it more vividly and clearly.
In the darkness of my light
Even though I may feel dark inside, my positive energy illuminates that.
Shining on the chosen few
That passionate energy I see is special and only a select group of people can truly understand and appreciate it.
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED
Written by: Anton A Newcombe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind