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 We are backstage, after the show and the mood among the band members and friends is jovial. Today was their last UK show and there is just one more gig to go, Reykjavik, and you can feel relief in the air.
One more week and they’ll be home, finally!
I have spent some time [off duty!] with The BJM, from Paris to Brighton and some in between, and I have seen Anton’s health deteriorating.
At times unable to eat over many days he has lost some weight, but tonight I find him rather cheerful. The previous night’s show [London Astoria] was one of their best and tonight’s was also a success.
For the last couple of days the band has been followed by French photographer Richard Bellia who’s preparing a generous spread on the American band for French magazine Rock’n’Folk.
The backstage area of The Concorde 2 lends itself perfectly to an impromptu photo session and during a few minutes’ pause in my unexpected role as photographer’s assistant I feel the need to whip out my voice recorder...
 Florence: This is the end of The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s second European tour this year.
2006 has been a good year for The BJM and yourself.
I know that you’re exhausted but I’m sure that you feel good about the success you’ve achieved in the last few months.
Anton: Right now I have no feelings but I will do whatever needs to be done.
However I want more life!
I would like to do more things.
Florence: More writing hopefully?
Anton: Right now I feel very sick but I write all the time, even when we’re playing I make things up.
I don’t want to make records because someone says that “it would be very good for our business if you would make a record”.
That’s not a reason to do it.
Florence: That’s a very good point but also taking into consideration that you are a very prolific artist, do you feel ready to release something new in 2007?
 Anton: I don’t think that people understand the music yet so I’d rather wait until they understand it a little bit more. Have a bit of time to reflect on it and think “this is special”. Then I will feel like there is a lot of people going “I enjoy this and I understand it and it means something to me”.
Only then I’ll feel better about making more records.
I don’t want to take all the space in the record store!
We have 10 albums and that’s so much!
Only people like Bob Dylan have 10 records in the same space...or Abba. It’s a privilege but I still don’t think that people understand it.
Also all our music is free on the internet and I would like to encourage people to investigate that and then they can decide whether they really like it or not.
Florence: You’ve moved to New York whilst your bandmates are based in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Portland.
How is that affecting the dynamic of the band?
Not easy to get together and have a good jam I guess?
 Anton: It doesn’t matter. We’re not really a ‘jamming’ kind of band.
Florence: The current BJM line-up feels really tight-knit, on and off stage.
Having spent a lot time with you, I know that there are some genuine friendships, trust and love...
How do you feel about it?
Anton: I just want them to play well... for other people.
Florence: But they do and the shows are amazing...
Anton: Not every day!
Florence: Your problem is that you’re striving for perfection and maybe that’s why you get anxious sometimes.
Anton: No I’m not!
I’m actually very humble in my expectations but I aspire to great things and there is nothing wrong with that. I want to do something real with my life.
My preoccupation is not necessarily to make money, that’s not the problem. I think that life is hard and I want people to be able to enjoy themselves and if I can help, fine, if what we do is something people enjoy, good. Good for everyone, right?
Florence: Any bands you recommend people should check out?
Anton: The Bright Channel from Colorado and The Black Angels.
Words: Florence ACHERYPictures: Richard BELLIA (www.richardbellia.com)
www.brianjonestownmassacre.com
www.myspace.com/brianjonestownmassacre |
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