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."
Wisdom
The Brian Jonestown Massacre Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why I've gone and fallen
In love with you
You're the one thing I believe in
And I know quite well
What I've got to do
First you say it's okay
Then you say there's no way
You're the one thing I believe in
And I know it's time 'cause I've
Got to tell you
My love is like a flower
Daisies are always free
Pulling out the petals
I wonder if you love me
Love me
Love
Love me, love me
If I thought I knew the reason
Why I've gone and fallen in love with you
You're the one thing I believe in
And I know it's time because I've got to tell you
First you say it's okay
Then you say there's no way
Then I'm making love to you
You're the one thing I believe in
And I'll get my way
Or I'm going to kill you
The Brian Jonestown Massacre's song "Wisdom" is a poetic representation of a complex, obsessive relationship. The song's narrator is deep in love with someone, but feels as if they are constantly being pulled in and out of a relationship with that person. The lyrics reflect the singer's inner conflict as they try to grapple with their emotions and come to terms with the realities of their situation.
The song's chorus, "You're the one thing I believe in," is a clear indication that the singer sees their love for this person as the one constant in their life. At the same time, the repeated lines "First you say it's okay / Then you say there's no way / Then I'm making love to you" suggest that the relationship is tumultuous and unpredictable. The singer seems to be on an emotional rollercoaster, with their lover's mood helping to dictate the direction of their relationship.
The final line of the song, "And I'll get my way / Or I'm going to kill you," is a dark and troubling image that underscores the obsessive nature of the singer's feelings. It's unclear whether this is a literal threat or a metaphorical representation of how the singer intends to exert control over their lover. Either way, it's clear that the singer's feelings for their lover have become all-consuming, and that they are willing to go to extremes to maintain the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
If I thought I knew the reason
I am uncertain of the reason
Why I've gone and fallen in love with you
Why I have developed feelings of love for you
You're the one thing I believe in
You are the only thing I trust and have faith in
And I know quite well
I am aware and have a clear understanding
What I've got to do
The actions I must take are clear to me
First you say it's okay
Initially, you approve of my advances
Then you say there's no way
Eventually, you reject me
Then I'm making love to you
Despite your initial rejection, I continue to pursue a physical relationship with you
And I know it's time 'cause I've
I am aware that the present moment is significant because
Got to tell you
I need to confess my love to you
My love is like a flower
My affection is comparable to a floral organism
Daisies are always free
Daisies have the freedom of existence
Pulling out the petals
Removing the parts of the flower used to represent love
I wonder if you love me
I question if you share my romantic feelings
And I'll get my way
I will achieve what I want
Or I'm going to kill you
If my desires are not met, I will resort to violence
Lyrics ยฉ Downtown Music Publishing, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Matt Hollywood, Anton Newcombe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@labrinikomporozou5366
if i thought i knew the reason
why i've gone and fallen
in love with you
you're the one thing i believe in
and i know quite well
what i've got to do
first you say it's ok
then you say there's no way
then i'm making love to you!
you're the one thing i believe in
and know it's time cause i've
got to tell you
my love
is
like a flower
daisies
are
always free.
pulling out
the petals
i
wonder,
if you
love me?
love.
love me,
love me!
if i thought i knew the reason
why i've gone and fallen
in love with you
you're the one thing i believe in
and i know it's time because i've
got to tell you
first you say it's ok
then you say there's no way
then i'm making love to you!
you're the one thing i believe in
and
i'll get my way
or
i'm going to kill you
@jtaylor9562
Considering how frequently Anton released new Albums, playing most of the instruments, producing, engineering mixing, too. The continued quality of fantastic output is all the more incredible. The most underrated band ive ever heard. Outstanding.
@MrMickthemonster
They're a fucking phenomenon live...that's an experience..
@alldayidreamaboutsteak551
Yeah he is awesome but that female singer is trash.
@FredMorris-pc8ed
if you like this you might like my brother music. His name is Stu Morris
@johnsayles4316
I survived a horrific car wreck, while listening to this one, a week ago.
The music
helped
me to
not lose my mind.
@tomasescobar2262
hope u ok brother. stay safe
@andyblue415
LOVE this version. Love all versions of all BJM songs. I could listen to BJM's entire catalogue on repeat nonstop for the rest of my life and I would never get sick of it.
@brianjones4026
well aint that the Truth brother ? i totally agree with that statement !! Thank the Lord for BJM !!
@MANNY11RED
Ditto! :)
@mauriratm6145
whats your favourite album or piece of them?