The Brian Jonestown Massacre

On-stage sackings, fights with audience members, five-hour long sets. Just three of the facets associated with The Brian Jonestown Massacre over their long and notorious career. The fact that none of the above occur this evening could be seen as a measure of disappointment for the ambulance chasers in the crowd - and there are a few if the heckles are anything to go by. Unexpectedly, the shambolic behaviour of yore is replaced by a level of musical competence the band haven't exactly been renowned for achieving previously.

Taking the stage as a seven-piece for tonight's show, what's even more surprising is that the current line-up of the band has perhaps the most long-term stability of any previous incarnation. As well as main man Anton Newcombe and long-term sidekick Joel Gion, guitarists Ricky Maymi and Frankie Emerson have been involved for a decade or more and even the newest recruit, ex-Spacemen 3 bass player Will Carruthers, is only filling in while regular bassman Collin Hegna celebrates his matrimonial nuptials.

What this means is that for a large part of the set you actually get a pretty standard rock and roll show which has more peaks than troughs, not to mention an almost randomly generated delve through their extensive back catalogue that sees the likes of 'Sue' and 'Vacuum Boots' plucked out immaculately to genuinely appreciative cheers from the majority.

Indeed, the band's only dalliance with My Bloody Underground (review), the record they're allegedly here to promote, comes via a frantic charge through 'Golden Frost', Emerson taking lead vocals in a dramatically assertive fashion. Throughout the set the normally hyperactive Newcombe takes more of a back seat, preferring to sit during some songs while the likes of Emerson and Gion hold more prominent roles centre stage.

As expected, the set does overrun and only the intervention of the house lights being switched on prevents 'Prefab Ambulation' from running well into the midnight hour. However, the band appear to take this in good spirits before winding the song down and leaving the stage, Newcombe even shaking a few hands along the front rows before exiting.

For once, The Brian Jonestown Massacre actually let the music do the talking, which I suppose could be deemed as a matter of controversy in itself.

Review: Watch DIG!

Alternative Review: Anton Newcombe is the Jonestown. He is the Velvet Underground of the 90’s. He exerts his control and he will get what he wants. He will entertain you to his last breath because he is not pretending he is the real deal. Sadly, this was not the case tonight; it felt like he made the whole gig up there and then. With a huge catalogue of music, it is like a needle in a haystack of recognisable songs. You might get one you like or know, or you might not. This inconsistency makes it difficult to understand who is the Jonestown?. A band out of touch with reality or before their time? Both I say.

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