The Brian Jonestown Massacre

We were lucky to see The Brian Jonestown Massacre live on stage in Hamburg‘s Knust club. The show was great! So powerful and energetic, Anton singing and playing in a great shape (though spending some time with the retuning of the instruments ;-) ). Supported by Moogy who also sang „Anemone“, one of my favourite songs. The BJM played new songs from the new „Something Else“ album that sounds so very nicely „retro“ and many great songs from the earlier days (among others „Who“, „When jokers attack“). It was loud and very, very hot (due to an abnormal summer in Northern Germany). Joel cheered the audience with his tambourine and Anton even turned his fan to us, helping us with a cool breeze. Although The BJM played quite long, we were sorry to watch them leave (no farewell) and not return again for an encore. We waited as long as possible, but, maybe due to the exhausting temperatures in the club, remained unheard. Anyway, it was a wonderful gig and the size of the club allowed us fans to get in touch with the band. The light show was, as usual, very nice, too. I definitely recommend to go and see The BJM live, it‘s so worth it. The records are already awesome but live they are just brilliant and even better. By the way, „LeVent“ (A Records!) supported the show and they were really great, too, so it was a georgous evening.

We were lucky to see The Brian Jonestown Massacre live on stage in Hamburg‘s Knust club. The show was great! So powerful and energetic, Anton singing and playing in a great shape (though spending some time with the retuning of the instruments ;-) ). Supported by Moogy who also sang „Anemone“, one of my favourite songs. The BJM played new songs from the new „Something Else“ album that sounds so very nicely „retro“ and many great songs from the earlier days (among others „Who“, „When jokers attack“). It was loud and very, very hot (due to an abnormal summer in Northern Germany). Joel cheered the audience with his tambourine and Anton even turned his fan to us, helping us with a cool breeze. Although The BJM played quite long, we were sorry to watch them leave (no farewell) and not return again for an encore. We waited as long as possible, but, maybe due to the exhausing temperatures in the club, remained unheard. Anyway, it was a wonderful gig and the size of the club allowed us fans to get in touch with the band. The light show was, as usual, very nice, too. I definitely recommend to go and see The BJM live, it‘s so worth it. The records are already awesome but live they are just brilliant and even better. By the way, „LeVent“ (A Records!) supported the show and they were really great, too, so it was a georgous evening.

I had heard that Anton had turned a new leaf with age, so I tried my luck. I'm not a fan of the meltdowns or the whining as some are. Alas, it was like visiting my racist grandparents whom seem to exist out of time. It's just a part of him, I guess.

He was one guitarist short (I'm not surprised), which he mentioned no less than 5 times to excuse the poor performance.
He berated his keyboardist.
He berated his lead guitarist.
He physically / forcefully adjusted his rhythm guitarists head position relative to the microphone they were sharing.

He did show a glimmer of levelheadedness here and there, but it was heavily outweighed. I don't know if the show was good. I know that it was OK until he kept pointing out everyone's flaws. I was too annoyed and distracted by the abuse. And in case anyone is wondering, he did fake a British accent live.

I was prepared for a 3 to 11 hour show, I think it was a little over two hours. Not blaming them, just putting that out there. Also, it's possible that the guitarist was legit not there for unrelated reasons and tensions were high due to having to come up with a new set list and rehearse on short notice. Also, no encore. I don't know.

Compared to the Dandys show last year, forget about it. No comparison. Dandys Rule OK.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre started their group in San Francisco in the late 80's. They had a heavy feel of psychedelic rock and other tones such as blues and raga.

When they come out on stage you could see they way about them and their music was pure to who they were and to the era they were playing in. They combined a variety of different instruments into their sets with such things as Indian drones, sitars, mellotrons, farfisas, didgeridoos and tablas. The lead singer comes out in a denim jacket and the rest of the group as a hippie and indie look to them. The stage is black until their lighting kicks in and then the whole feel and attitude changes.

Playing live they have a variety of things going on around them to entertain and amaze the audience. Bright colors flash and change giving a retro vibe to each song they play. When they play the move around a lot and have a vibe that can remind one of the Ramones and various others. The audience is filled with adoring fans and their numbers range in the hundreds. All of them moving and grooving with their set and really digging the sound. For when they played it was really something to have been seen, especially live.

Haydn Kramer

The Brian Jonestown Massacre last night. Swirling, Jangling, sumptuous guitar’s: raging with keyboards and rhythm lines roaring beneath, some say psychedelic, “shoe gaze”, folk-rock, or garage, but by any descriptive, adjective; a dreamy transcendent rock band with a bent toward perfection, (three songs good-naturedly stopped for broken strings). Since 1990 and always closely associated with The Dandy Warhols, (another killer band not enough people know about), liquid symmetry between the band Anton Newcombe formed in San Francisco, ethereal sounds and lyrics ended, without encore—-because, you knew they had completed something special when you floated out to the street.

BJM were awesome last night in their Brooklyn debut at the new Brooklyn Steel venue. Anton Joel Ricki and crew did not disappoint and treated the large adoring crowd to an evening of impromptu jam, trance, and psychedelia. They sprinkled their show with a catalogue of well known past songs as well as some more contemporary issued songscapes, with the crowd at times rocking and bopping. One disappointment show was cut short by curfew ending at 11PM and only two hours in length. However, Anton managed to cram in as many songs as he could in this alotted time. Can't wait to see them again!!!! Fred

PS: SongKick kicks song!!! Easy to use and no hassles. I love my songkick.

Ah, honestly one of my favourite bands, wish that I could say I enjoyed the show but it wasn't all that. They have such a huge discography there's basically no guarantee you'll hear any of the songs you like (I only knew a couple), and none of their music sounds anywhere near as good live. That coupled with bad bouncers and a couple of crazy fans lead to what was easily one of the worst gigs I've been to. Felt like I wanted to leave after a few songs. Still, glad I can say I've seen them, and I'll still proudly wear my BJM T-shirt, but I can't say it was worth the price of the ticket: maybe if you're out of it.

Not sure if the rolls of electric waves came from being in such close proximity to the stage or cacophony of sound, but BJM is still in my head and blood - thank god. If the spark can stay around a few more weeks I will be satisfied with this round but it will be far too long before I get to experience their melodies again in such capacity. Long live the beauty, majesty and evil that comes with The Brian Jonestown Massacre!

well, 4th show in the past year i have bought tickets for, but have had to miss due to personal matters, eating the ticket on...so, i couldn't tell ya. this one and luna def hurt the most, on that figurative "hit to the gut" level. :( as for the cost, i have given more to less worthy causes, so...hope it was as great asi imagine it would be. i do wish we transfer the tickets though. i could have made someone's night.

It was awesome!
We had the chance to sit and talk with Anton before the show about where he's been living and what he had planned for the future.
Very chill and intimate setting...
Then they played a Great set!
Overall, Great venue!