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."
She's Gone
The Brian Jonestown Massacre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not the same thing when you're crying I still
Enjoy too well, I got it, don't think too much about it
I love to see you when you're smiling
I long to be up on your life
I'll wait it till you can decide
It's not (?) after you be free (?) soaring
The lyrics to The Brian Jonestown Massacre's song She's Gone are quite poignant and speak to the complex emotions of longing to be with someone but also wanting them to be free to explore their own lives. The opening lines, "I've got this feeling when you're smiling, It's not the same thing when you're crying," highlight the importance of not just physical presence, but also emotional availability in a relationship. The singer loves to see the person they're addressing when they're happy and content, but acknowledges that this isn't always the case.
The lyrics go on to say, "I still Enjoy too well, I got it, don't think too much about it." This line speaks to the singer trying to come to terms with their feelings and not overthinking them. It's almost as if they want to enjoy the present moment without worrying too much about the future or the potential outcomes of the relationship.
The following line, "I long to be up on your life, I'll wait it till you can decide," illustrates the singer's willingness to let the other person make their own choices and decide what's best for them. While they clearly want to be a part of this person's life, they are also willing to wait for them to make the choice to let them in.
Overall, the lyrics to She's Gone are thoughtful and introspective, perfectly encapsulating the complex emotions involved in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got this feeling when you're smiling
I experience a certain emotion when I see you smiling
It's not the same thing when you're crying I still
Even if you're not happy, I still feel something for you
Enjoy too well, I got it, don't think too much about it
I take pleasure in our relationship and don't want to overthink it
I love to see you when you're smiling
I am fond of witnessing your joyful moments
I long to be up on your life
I desire to become a part of your life
I'll wait it till you can decide
I'm willing to wait for you to make a decision
It's not (?) after you be free (?) soaring
Your life shouldn't end even if you feel free
There's so much more for you to see soaring
You have so much more to experience and explore
Contributed by Madelyn R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Spacegirl
BJM achieved, in one album, something that britpop could have never dreamed of reaching. And no infinite amount of money tossing/established power could possibly come close to what they established in writing this song alone. Pure soul.
Comrade Thoth
It's so funny the amount of money thrown at Oasis albums, meanwhile this album was recorded with the same amount of money as a new tire for your car.
TheArtistZex
BJM probably have the greatest body of work known to music; Anton seems to constantly make music without stopping. The guy is a genius; Methodrone was the first BJM album I bought back in the late 90's early 2000's; I was about 15/16 and I was completely blown away by it.
jmmacb03
I can't believe I am 62 and a friend just sent me this... I am blown away and know I will now be up all night... Music heals... I feel so "blessed" to have all this for free on YouTube... And it will be here for generations to come...
Lofarl
I hope you read this and I hope you are doing well.
RLee Roberts
One of those few bands that has changed my life forever.
What a privilege .
Chad Timblin
This song just melted me and unleashed a river of tears. Thank you thank you thank you. What a gift
sam bana
this band changed my life so much
Flying Karsten
me too!
good Trip
But how?