THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE INTERVIEW WITH ANTON NEWCOMBE
By OZGUR COKYUCE
ANTON ALFRED NEWCOMBE……A singer-songwriter, musician, multi-instrumentalist and founder, lead singer, guitarist, and head of the amazing band, The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
It’s a great pleasure for me having the chance to do this great interview with my friend Anton.
1
- PUNK
GLOBE: Anton, The Brian Jonestown Massacre
released its 13th studion album called “My Bloody Underground”. You’re
touring Europe in July and Australia during August, right? How are
the tours going compared to the previous tours? It seems like the
feedback gets better and better with every new album?
ANTON:
Actually, I knew that people would not understand this album so much
as it is more about a mood than songs. We made videos for each of the
nineteen songs on the album and ep...I'm just experimenting with my
friends, with sound and with languages. I'm working on five albums
and really want to explore different language as a way of saying
thank you with my actions to cultures that I respect and love or see
something of my own spirit in.
I'm happy that we keep growing in
popularity as well asartistically. We are not a radio or tv band and
that is ok. I don't give a shit about pop, I mean it's fine. It's
business, but at the same time we sell out concerts, make t-shirts
and records and make jobs and travel.
I am thankful and want that
to grow for as long as I have energy to create.
2
-PUNK
GLOBE: Please
tell us
a bit about the early
days. Were there any names thought for the band other than “The
Brian Jonestown Massacre”? Any songs from those days that haven't
seen the light of the day yet or to be re-recorded?
ANTON: Our
first name was blur. Then i saw in a magazine that this band from
England stole our title. So we did some acid and made up a new name.
I recorded over a hundered things that I have not shared. This stuff
is all in San Francisco with this guy and his studio. I don't care so
much as i am thinking about the future.
I also want to point
out that I do not advocate drug use to other people, and I am
respectful when I am a guest in other countries. I just never felt
the need to lie like it would make me more money. I am honest and
share my life. So keep that in mind please.
3 - PUNK
GLOBE: Which bands -- can we say -- had most influence
on the general sound amd melodies of The BJM? This may give an idea
also to new listeners who made a great mistake of not knowing your
band before.
ANTON: Well I love so many things. I think
California punk...old stuff, Sixties music, Eastern music, Echo and
the Bunnymen....basically everything except heavy metatl and '70's
bullshit rock.
I hate it.i've never even heard all of Led
Zeppelin and all of this stuff. I don't have the time to type out
everything i listen to. I have like 36,000 albums and I would rather
fuck my wife and make up my own music than to talk with guys about
music you know...
4
- PUNK
GLOBE: When did you start music? Was it your plan or
thought to be a singer or be in a band when you were young?
ANTON:
I started writing music after I saw these garage bands in my home
town. Before that, I never felt it was possible to do this
stuff...then at parties I saw that these people were assholes and
stupid, so i got the courage to try. Then I remember a voice like God
in my head saying, "Smart boys do not play guitar..."
So
I guess I am a rebel....
5 - PUNK GLOBE: Some people say,you are a genius for your talent...and a loser for being true in this f.u. world.... In different interviews, you said,
'We're
revolutionaries.
'People will [see it
and] wake up.'
'It isn't about my fame. I
am
not the light. I hold the torch so others might see.'
'My greatest
weapon is that I'm underestimated by everybody.
'It's easy for people to
dismiss what I'm saying, what I'm
doing or
what I can do. That's the greatest power.
'Maybe the real losers are
the ones who don’t even see the light, who don’t even recognize
that someone holds the torch, who are not aware of anything.'"
What are
your opinions?
ANTON: I think it is for each person to decide
what their life should be about. Some people also step outside of
that like Ataturk and change cultures. I dunno, I try the best
i
can to create a world that i would like and can live in. I also
believe that the true things in life are done in silence. I just do
it.
I would be happy if other people tried to change things and i
could just live in a tree or something...but i also see that if i
don't work, i don't eat, my son doesn't eat...and my wife doesn't
eat.
I
don't want to be the
person at the side of the world road,
with
a broken car, waiting for help...as Porsches and other cars go
by.
I'll walk if i have to. It's in my blood to never give up
until i die.
6 - PUNK GLOBE: Nearly 10 years years has passed since the events of September 11 in the U.S. What are your thoughts and feelings about what happened in New York and Washington? What has changed?
ANTON:
I think it's bullshit.
I
hate all of this oil
war and excuses. The oil is for sale.
China
is growing.
The Arabs are not going to build a pirate ship and
attack America.
This has done nothing except make defense
contractors and the traitors in my government rich.
It has also
made me and my son unwelcome in many places in this world just
because the colour of my eyes and skin. My sister is half Omanni, and
she could care less about God or the Koran. That's her way. i just
love her as my sister and want her to be happy.
At
the same time, I am
fucking pissed at how many people have
been
killed in iraq over oil.
I want it to stop. And even if my
government says I am wrong, I will say I don't want to except your
idea of right.
We do not need this bullshit. I think everyone needs to see these photos of dead people and what their money is doing. Shame on everyone for being too busy to at least look at the facts.
Now don't get me wrong. I would defend my country against anyone. Man. Woman. Beast or child...but I don't see that this is the situation so I moved out of America and live in Germany and Iceland now.
I can't live in the culture.
Not anymore. I don't look at the world in an us against them way.
I don't care how people live in Afganistan.
If they want to live with tribal law, go for it. But I also know we make so much off of oil and opium that it's a joke.
If Israel and the us attack Iran, and use bunker busting small nukes, that will affect Turkey and everyone. I think it's stupid and i don't want to see it.
I'm
sick of these
people and the way they
think it is ok to lay waste to a bunch of people now. I'm not talking
about Tatars, or Armenians...I'm talking about depleted uranium and
smart bombs....This is the bullshit of our time....
7 - PUNK
GLOBE: When we think about The U.S.A 30 years ago
and when we think about today, doesn’t U.S.A and of course the world
needs the existence of true bands like The Brian Jonestown Massacre
more than ever? For telling the youth what’s going on, giving them
the spirit to not only get angry but to question
everything?
ANTON: We all need to be informed about what is
going on to be able to make decisions. When I find out little
pieces of truth...I want to scream and toss fire at the face of power
but I also respect soldiers, police and government.
I think I
would like to see those people respect themselves as well.
I
am waiting, and until the day I die, I swear to live more free and to
learn.
8 - PUNK
GLOBE: Now, as you are still continue
touring, how do you compare the crowds at shows in the 2000s to the
crowds
in the early 90s? (Your observations about new generation meeting the
old generation in your audience?)
ANTON: Our first show had
600 x 2 for two sets, so...I dunno. I love to play.
9 - PUNK
GLOBE: Anton, you collaborated with different
musisicans and bands throughout your life. But, if you were to create
your all time dream band, who would be the members of this heroic
army?
ANTON: Shhhhhhhhhhh. . . I am working on the idea of a
new group called 'The Serious Matter.' It is going to be a day camp
for talented people.
You will see. It's going to be great,
really.
10 - PUNK
GLOBE: What were you listening to in late
'70s and '80s, and what are you listening to nowadays? Are there any
unknown
bands you’re into at the moment or you could recommend us to check
out?
ANTON : I have a youtube page
I make playlists of wierd shit all the time.
11 - PUNK
GLOBE: Do you know any Turkish bands or have you
ever listened to Turkish music?
ANTON : I like classical
Turkish music. Stuff from the Ottoman Empire and the days of the
Sultans. There are a lot of very old records on French lables.
12
- PUNK
GLOBE: As far as we know, you’re able to play a lot of
instruments. What is the last instrument you bought?
ANTON:
I've bought a couple of electric acoustic guitars to work on two of
my next records.
13 - PUNK
GLOBE: The Brian Jonestown
Massacre is one of the very rare bands in the music history that has
its sound compared to a lot of old bands and at the same time it
sounds very unique (including the lyrics) which will surely make The
BJM one of the most special and unforgettable bands of all time. What
has been your main inspiration?
ANTON: I like taking my bad
feelings and recycling them. It makes me feel great to be hated
too.
14 - PUNK
GLOBE: Anton, any Last words for
Punk Globe
readers???
ANTON: Keep yourself free -- no matter
what. Be wise . . . It 's ok to be afraid...it is not ok to
give
up or to betray.
***People can watch videos for the 19 songs in the new album if they contact the website
(www. brianjonestownmassacre. com) and follow the link given to the videos. As also said in the beginning of the interview, The Brian Jonestown Massacre will be touring Europe and then Sydney during the summer, so we warn everybody not to miss it!!
*Punk Globe would like to wish the best to The Brian Jonestown Massacre and thank Anton Newcombe for taking the time to do this great interview....2008
(Contributions to the artwork by Gokhan Tuncisler)
