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."
What You Isn't
The Brian Jonestown Massacre Lyrics
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And make a plan, you're going to win it
You got to do everything I said
Until you're dead, just get on in it
You got to walk through the fire and fear
And say "I'm here", now come and get it
You got to break down the walls of glass
That kick your ass, you're going to win it
You got to rip off the head of your dreams
Because it seems, there's something in it
You got to wake up and be a man
And have a plan, just go and get it
You got to walk through the fire and fear
And say "I'm here", just come and get it
You got to do everything I said
Until you're dead, you're going to win it
The lyrics of The Brian Jonestown Massacre's song What You Isn't convey the message of taking control of your life and pursuing your goals relentlessly. The song portrays a sense of urgency, as the lyrics urge the listener to wake up, be a man, and make a plan in order to be successful.
The repeated refrain, "You're going to win it," emphasizes the confidence needed to push past any fear or obstacles in order to achieve success. The lyrics suggest that in order to do this, one must dismantle the self-imposed limitations that hold them back, symbolized in the line "You got to break down the walls of glass that kick your ass."
The chorus reinforces these themes, urging listeners to walk through the fire and fear, ripping off the head of their dreams, and doing everything necessary to achieve their goals. Overall, the lyrics of "What You Isn't" convey a message of empowerment, urging listeners to take control of their lives, face their fears, and relentlessly pursue their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
You got to wake up and be a man
You need to take responsibility and act like an adult, no more excuses or indecisiveness.
And make a plan, you're going to win it
You need to set a goal and develop a strategy to achieve it. Success is attainable.
You got to do everything I said
Follow my advice and instructions, I know what you need to do to succeed.
Until you're dead, just get on in it
You need to fully commit yourself to the goal, work tirelessly until you achieve it or die trying.
You got to walk through the fire and fear
You need to confront and overcome your fears and obstacles in order to succeed.
And say "I'm here", now come and get it
Announce and assert yourself, you're ready and capable of achieving your goal.
You got to break down the walls of glass
Break through any barriers that are impeding your progress and limiting your potential.
That kick your ass, you're going to win it
Overcome the obstacles and emerge victorious, you're on your way to success.
You got to rip off the head of your dreams
Remove any doubt or uncertainty and take full control of your aspirations and goals.
Because it seems, there's something in it
There's something worthwhile and fulfilling about pursuing your dreams, so don't hold back.
And have a plan, just go and get it
Have a well-constructed plan and then take action to achieve it, don't hesitate or procrastinate.
You're going to win it
With dedication, focus, and hard work, you will achieve your goal and succeed.
Contributed by Brayden Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.