The Committee to Keep Music Evil Forum

Hi,
I'm new to the whole BJM thing this yr. I'm a music journalist and I reviewed Aufheben and was hooked. I was lucky enough to be extended the full treatment and was able to see the band as well as interview Anton. So here is the fruit of two of those luscious labors. I might add that in addition to a being a fabulous artist, Anton is also a gentleman. He never once used a curse word in the interview, and he thanked me again at the show for doing it. Enjoy!

http://targetaudiencemagazine.com/2012/08/interview-with-anton-newcombe-of-brian-jonestown-massacre/

Please reply here if you have any comments.

Thanks!
Gail Fountain

No comments? It was an hour long interview. Was there any new content at all?

You did a really nice job, but you mentioned Aufheben as the first BJM album you've listened to. You'll find that most of the people around these parts have a history with the band that starts much earlier than that. I can't say that there was anything revelatory in the interview, but I was curious about your questioning whether "Christians, Jewish and other religions actually say, 'This is the only true religion.' ” I find that often to be the case (most certainly with the LDS gentlemen who keep knocking on my door). Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more of your writing.

So I have a lot to catch up on with this band. They're one of a few I missed out on in the 90s.

About the question, that was just a subject we ended up on. I do my interviews in a conversational manner, with just a few questions outlined and the rest just come up. And Anton brought up Revelations, therefore I just said that, not really being too deep about it. But he enjoyed it. I didn't get to mark where he was laughing. That was one of the spots where he was laughing and like, "Wow, this is cool."

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I know he may have revealed some of the stuff in the past. I did about 30 hrs of research and watched and read several interviews and just went with what I wanted to know and what fans might be interested to know. Also, for the publication I write for, I think it was the first article on them, so I wanted to open a new media outlet for the band.

Nice interview. I didn't think there was much of an answer when you asked how it was to have Matt Hollywood back on board.

If you haven't already, give a listen to a band named The Quarter After. It is fronted, in part, by one of Anton's band mates, the keyboaard player named Rob. Great sound, very jangly, nice melodies and overall great listening.

In what city did you see the BJM show?

I know what you mean about the Matt Hollywood question. I think he was skirting that one a bit with "I like to play music." However, he didn't diss him!

I saw the Atlanta show on Aug. 20th. The interview was done on the break before the last leg when Anton was at home.

I'll check out that project. I'm always looking for new stuff to cover.

Was that a telephone/Skype interview?

Telephone. I wish it had been Skype but phone was what I was offered. He was at home in his studio. It cost about $20 to get international service turned on and then the hour long by the minute cost. Not bad actually! Unfortunately, I need to get better recording gear. I use my camera and that only records five minutes at a time, so it's not a fabulous recording. But it was good enough. My son is going to show me how to record with a mic to my computer for my next interview (whoever that might be.. I've interviewed people from local Atlanta artists to one of the guys in James, to this one).

Thanks for the interview. Setting your computer up to record should be pretty straightforward -- best to keep using your current method in parallel the first few times as you gain confidence in the computer hook up.

You're welcome. I hope to do more for future releases!

I like what Anton said about the songs on Aufheben, like Gaz Hilarant or Waking Up To Hand Grenades.
What's behind the titles, and how he isn't making pop songs but musical translations of concepts and ideas.

Thanks for the interview. I'm glad to see intelligent interviews of Anton since two or three years, made by people really interested by what he have to say, instead of always talking about drugs, fights, or Dig!

yes a good interview..though all those things have heard before..have always viewed BJM as a project (maybe playing live an exeption)....& playing folk music..I.e. music for people..I really enjoy tunes sang in foreign languages..In fact I welcome them..In a way AA Newcombe reminds me of Pete Townshend another extremely creative person..be sure to checkout BJM archives for more info regarding
them..& thanks..

Thank you very much! I wish I'd asked about more songs but I wrote down questions about my favorites.