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Hi, everybody This is Dave Grohl.
You're here to witness what I consider to be
the greatest rock and roll documentary of all time.
DIG!
As a musician
who's been touring since I was a teenager,
in vans, playing in dirty clubs
and sleeping on floors and playing in squats,
this film
is the most honest, warts and all,
best description
of what it's like
when you and your friends
join a band,
jump in a van, and try to start a revolution.
Revolution comes with a price, I'd say.
You'll see that here in this movie DIG!
I've seen it 50 times,
and this new version, which has more,
is even more.
For any musician in the house,
you'll understand what I'm saying.
For the non-musician,
or someone who's never seen DIG!,
just fuckin' wait.
So ladies and gentlemen, DIG!XX
(JOEL GION READING ON-SCREEN TEXT)
Wait Bring that thing out here Let the kids dig this.
You getting that okay? Dig.
Bring that back here.
Now listen to this
I'll say what I got to say - Damn right!
I'm here to destroy this fucked-up system I will do it.
That's why I got the job I said, "Let it be me"
I said, "Use my hands, I'll use our strength.
Let's fucking burn it to the ground"
(COURTNEY TAYLOR) 1995.
This is the year I met Anton Newcombe
and his band, The Brian Jonestown Massacre
(JOEL) Hold on. The freeze frame's on me.
You're not the only one who gets to tell this story
I'm Joel Gion,
Anton's tambourine-wielding sidekick,
and I'll give you the inside scoop.
More later, babies
(COURTNEY) Anton was by far the craziest
and most talented musician I had ever met
I'm Courtney Taylor from The Dandy Warhols.
Anton was my friend and my enemy,
the greatest inspiration
and ultimately the greatest regret.
This is the story of us and our bands
over seven years.
("SERVO" BY THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE PLAYING)
# Open up 'cause here I come #
# Here I am #
# With a gift for everyone #
# What I am #
("RIDE" BY THE DANDY WARHOLS PLAYING)
You guys took forever to get down here.
We gotta get the amps and just move in
I've been waiting to meet you - Ondi.
Hey, pleased to meet you - Hi.
(JOEL) We first met Ondi and David in San Francisco.
They came to film us perform,
but we were late, so the club wouldn't let us play.
They don't want to be filmed by her.
It's like... it's unbelievable.
What a fucking blatant display of another conspiracy by the man
to keep anything worth a fuck out, baby.
It's my goddamn fucking birthday for Christ's sakes.
Dig that cat, man - Gimme a break.
(ONDI) How old are you turning today?
I'm 29 on the 29th of August
I was born in the Summer of Love.
And speaking of love, I'd like y'all to meet
my beautiful French girlfriend, Sophie.
(WOMAN GIGGLING)
Hi - What a nice couple, huh?
(JOEL) Va-va-voom.
Because they don't like love They.
Dig it, baby I'm loving what I'm seeing, man.
- But dig these boots, man. - Head to toe, hip to hip.
So where you wanna go play tonight?
Right fucking here - Seriously?
I guess we gotta take
the shit back to the practice space anyways.
- No, let's go somewhere. - No, we gotta have a revolution.
We just gotta usher this shit in.
If somebody wants to distribute our records
and allow us absolute freedom,
then I'm not opposed to people making money.
(COUGHS) It's just, it's a mafia.
And, um, until they can write the letter that I'm writing,
they are the postman and I'm the letter writer.
Period End of discussion.
This is my representation of the vibe
(TAMBOURINE RATTLING) - (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hootie & the Blowfish and all that stuff, it's cool
I sold 20 million records.
But the fact is they're not sexy
and their music isn't fun to have sex to.
And so it doesn't matter because there's a lot of people that
face it... don't have sex.
So, at least 11 million people, right?
And that accounts for their fan base.
Hey, we got a party to go to tonight.
- We got a party to play Yeah. - Alright, great Yeah.
- Wanna play a party? - 210 Waller Street.
(MAN) Uh, hello? Hello? You guys ready?
Ladies and gentlemen, I wanna introduce a band
that knows where I live.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
(CROWD CHEERING)
("THAT GIRL SUICIDE" PLAYING)
# What you want is you want me, you don't know #
# You're better off 'cause it's going too slow-slow #
# Go #
# Well, I know what you want #
# Won't you just reach out and grab it? #
(LYRICS CONTINUE INDISTINCTLY)
# Go #
(ERIC SHEA) What's different about Jonestown?
It's real.
It's the band that you love to hate
and the band that you hate to love.
Live performances are infamous for 'em
(MAN) This is my 12th, uh, 12th time
- I've seen the Massacre. - Brian Jonestown.
- (ONDI) Really? - 12th.
- Just... - Within six months.
(NINA RITTER) I was completely blown away
I have never seen anything like that It was like
so retro and so the future,
It was mayhem on stage.
Three guitar players Tambourine player.
An insane singer.
The music was fantastic
I've never seen anything like it.
("THAT GIRL SUICIDE" CONTINUES)
The only band I've ever made the effort to go and see
in the last three years is Brian Jonestown
Anton, to me, is the best '60s revivalist
there has been since the '60s.
Musically, he's a genius.
Oh, I think he has an incredible ear for music
and for reinterpreting the past
and putting it in the future.
It's American heritage reinterpreted
Anton created this kind of scene
and everyone else has built upon it.
This is one of my friend's bands that, um, us...
Between us and a couple other bands,
we're actually gonna kick off a-a full musical revolution.
So forget about the other bands.
This is a whole 'nother level of the American underground
that I'm gonna help expose.
So tell me right now you've never ever heard.
The Dandy Warhols before.
(ONDI) I've never heard The Dandy Warhols before.
Well, let's just see what they sound like.
(MAN OVER TAPE) Get ready for a massive concussion
of rock and roll with The Dandy Warhols
("TV THEME SONG" BY THE DANDY WARHOLS PLAYING)
We write we write our kinds of music together.
- We're really good friends. - (ONDI)oh, really?
Yeah, we-we've got a full-scale revolution going on
(VOCALIZING GENTLY)
- (VOCALIZING) - (IMITATES VOCALIZING)
- They're really bitchin' - (ONDI) They in Portland?
Yeah, we're neighbors.
We're building a studio Isn't that rad?
(ONDI) You know exactly where you're building a studio?
Yeah we're getting clown, We're gonna take over the world.
Yeah And we're gonna show you how to do it too.
(ONDI CHUCKLES) How to take over the world?
Fuck yeah - In five steps?
On your movie.
We actually got a tape of Anton's,
like, about the same time we formed the band,
and then a year later, we went down to San Francisco
to play some parties and
sure enough, Anton walked in
and we definitely recognized him instantly.
It could be nobody else.
We were playing and these two guys walk in
just like Mr Cool
in their black leather junkie jackets
and all this stuff
and we're like, "Alright, who's that?"
They just looked amazing.
Like, they had the fucking coolest hair
and they were styled out, like so hip
that it was like it kind of intimidated us.
We were like, "Oh, my God" You know?
This is kinda what we expected from a big city.
You know? It was like, "Oh, shit".
And then we just, like, hung out all night
and just got fucking loaded.
Yes. Won't you, won't you join us?
God, that E just wore off in a hot second, man.
(COURTNEY) It was awesome We had, like, the best time.
Right on, brother.
- I swear, best band in America. - (MAN) Wow.
They're so fucking amazing.
No label will touch 'em They're so crazy
I've never seen them eat.
All I've seen them do is, like, drink liquor
and snort drugs (LAUGHTER)
That's like, that's all they do, you know?
("RIDE" BY THE DANDY WARHOLS PLAYING)
(JOEL) If it was our band, it would've been speed.
But the Dandys loved their blow
and we were always happy to oblige
(INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHTER)
- Joel, do you want some more? - Yes, please.
(ONDI) Oh, my God (LAUGHTER)
(ONDI) This is a very strange gathering
(INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHTER)
I suppose it's time for a costume change.
They're just our buddies.
They're our alter egos in some way,
inspiring each other to create and be successful
(COURTNEY) Our bands played together a lot
over the next couple years,
and it was rock.
("IT'S A FAST DRIVING RAVE UP WITH THE DANDY WARHOLS")
# I'm not tired #
# I'm not bad #
("OH, LORD" BY THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE PLAYING)
(JOEL) We actually had something special going for a while
and it was exciting.
People will always say, you know,
"Well, what music do you like at the moment?"
And I would say, you know, The Brian Jonestown Massacre
and The Dandy Warhols.
Jonestown and the Dandys
have a window of opportunity.
They can relate to suburban people,
drug people, and they can also relate to Literary people
and also to people who have
some real knowledge of how music developed.
(COURTNEY) In 1996, my band, The Dandy Warhols,
were in a studio in our hometown of Portland, Oregon
recording our first album for Capitol Records.
Now, unlike The Brian Jonestown Massacre,
we had just signed with a major label
and of course, they thought
we were gonna be the next big thing.
They-they have the potential to be a very big band because they
have created a world of their own
as The Dandy Warhols world
and that they don't therefore belong to any particular trend.
Whoo!
(COURTNEY) Our first record for Capitol took two tries.
The first time it got rejected,
they had the gall to tell me that there was no songs.
It just really pissed me off and I got all
uppity about it.
And, "Who are you to tell me what a song is?
You who have written so many songs?
How many? None, between the two of you ever?"
So, then I think I ended that by saying,
"I sneeze and hits come out."
To which Perry said, "Well, if that's the case,
well, I'm sure Capitol will have no problem finding the funds
to finance your handkerchiefs"
I think it's like something, what is it?
Like, 85 to 90% of all records made never recoup.
Which doesn't mean to say you really, really succeed.
That's all you do is recoup.
So the odds are that , The Dandy Warhols,
like everybody else, will fail
(ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
Courtney's had so much stress with this record.
As much as I'd ever wanna diss Courtney on any aspect,
I'd never say he wasn't a good songwriter,
and I'd never say I didn't like what he was doing,
and I'd never say he wasn't getting more pressure
than anyone in the band.
And that's why I'm totally glad I'm not the singer.
Today, I mixed 13 songs starting at 7:00 a m
I was done by one o'clock, found a drummer,
taught him all the tunes,
didn't do anything else on my birthday
1996
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
had a record out.
They were on a lot of A&R hot lists.
They were in hit magazines
as one of the bands that was the most courted.
The-the... It's a fabulous record.
People were jealous of our sheer ambition that we have
and the fact that we're like the most prolific people
probably in North America.
(COURTNEY) The Brian Jonestown Massacre had released
three full-length albums in just that year:
Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request,
Take It From The Man!,
and Thank God for Mental Illness.
- Five, six, seven It's magic. - (INSTRUMENTS PLAYING)
(VOCALIZING SOFTLY)
(JOEL) In September of 1996,
we came down to LA to play some shows.
This is back when we were one of ten bands.
Ondi and David were following
for a film they called The Cut.
All the bands in this film are gonna break up and, uh, sell out
except for us, we're here in this movie to teach you
how to be you.
(JOEL) On this night, we had a big industry showcase
but there was dissension in the ranks
because Anton had spent all the money
for our trip on sitars
# You are love, you are love #
# And I'm ever so welcome to know me #
We're gonna end up with fucking a million sitars
and fucking living on the street, you know?
- The guy does not know how. - That was not a group choice
- to buy the sitars? - No I had no, no...
None of us had any say in that -No.
That's what I was trying to say to him.
That was sent for the band to get down here to play this show
I thought there was gonna be more money, you know?
And the money was sent to get down here
and to put us up when we get down
got down here, to buy food, to buy cigarettes, whatever.
Now we don't have any money for any of that
I'm just saying don't fucking, fuck with me
I'm not fucking with you I'm trying to explain things.
And if you don't wanna listen to the way people feel,
if you don't wanna listen to other people's opinions,
then fucking go off and do it yourself
and be loved by your fucking self,
and nobody will love you
because you don't wanna deal with other people.
(ANTON) Cool And I won't have any headaches either.
Well, great - I don't do anything wrong.
- That's why I don't say sorry. - You do do things wrong.
And that's the fucking first step in being human
is realizing that you do and making 'em better.
You guys are fucking cracked, man
I don't fucking worry about
I don't even fucking worry about this shit
I don't fucking do it wrong I'm just telling you a fact.
You know what? Every religion
makes people fucking... You know what?
Every fucking spiritual belief, you burn in hell
for pretending to be God and not being able to back it up
I've been fucking working with the guy for like six years
I've been helping him He wouldn't be where he is
if it wasn't for the things I've put into it also
- ? - And you know what do I get - Yeah
I get, you know, fucking totally talked down to
I get, you know, anytime I disagree with him,
he tries to make a fool of me.
(JOEL) Matt was the other singer,
had written some of the songs,
and he could take Anton on,
but these other guys were new to the party.
They had no idea what they were getting into.
You guys cannot get that way on stage though.
No, we can't - Or it's over It's over.
You might as well get in your cars and go home.
(JOEL) Here's the fresh-faced college boy
that thought he could wrangle The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
He won't last the night.
If he can't come to terms with himself,
you know, and realize there are other people involved,
then there's no point in taking this to the extreme.
(JOEL) And there's a new guitar player
of the responsible type,
seeing an opportunity here to be just that.
He doesn't know how to support himself.
He's been homeless for five years or so.
When he tells me he doesn't wanna sign with a major label,
is he serious that he wouldn't go that route?
He always talks about doing it though.
Yeah I mean, that's that's why we came down here.
- Yeah That's why we came here. - Well, his whole thing,
he wants to try and rip 'em off in some way or something.
Well, he doesn't want them to take advantage of him.
But in order to not get taken advantage of,
he wants to take advantage of everybody else, you know?
And then you're just as corrupt as the system
that you're trying not to be corrupted by
I'm calling the Viper Room.
I'm gonna get some information that was withheld from me
'cause I don't like the way this is happening.
- What did they tell you? - Hey Hello.
My name is Anton I'm playing in a band tonight.
(JOEL) In a scramble for more funds,
Anton is trying to shake down the record companies
who could be signing us
by taking them off of the guest list.
Mm This is Anton.
But since when did record labels
ever actually pay to get in?
I don't wanna pay, um,
uh, pay, right, and comp in people from the industry.
(SCOFFS) If you can imagine,
they all make much more money than me
so they can pay to get in.
I'm not upset at all I'm just alleviating the situation
I wanna make sure that we have gas money to get home.
(LAUGHS) Pretty funny, huh?
Seymour Stein told me, "Sign them right away.
With a name like that, you can't go wrong.
You have my blessings Go, girl".
And um but I had to convince, ,
a couple of other people from the company.
And I took my boss, Nancy Jeffries,
who was the head of the A&R Department,
to a show in Los Angeles that we set up especially for her,
so she could witness them and make up her own opinion
and see if we wanted to put mega dollars behind them
and it was the biggest disaster I had ever witnessed
(MELLOW, PSYCHEDELIC KEYBOARD MELODY PLAYING)
Stand back I'm armed and dangerous.
That means you, feds Ha.
Come and get us.
(JOEL) We were unable to make him happy.
Instead, this happened
(INDISTINCT)
Okay, check it out This song is for Ondi.
She's filming us, and her brother Dave,
they're making a movie about how stupid people are
and how beautiful they are at the same time.
(CROWD LAUGH, CHEER)
(ANTON) Hell, yeah.
So these songs we're playing tonight,
we have a lot of records,
we put out six full-length albums this year.
And that's why we're gonna get
the biggest record deal in history
because we're smart.
(MAN) Are we ready? Ready?
(UPBEAT PSYCHEDELIC ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
(COURTNEY) Now, if Anton thought that anyone
screwed up during a song,
he would immediately correct them.
- Get off my stage right now. - Hey, hey, hey.
Fuck you You don't tell me to "Fuck you" I'm in your band.
(INDISTINCT)
Hey, fuck that Nobody's gonna say "Fuck you" to me
on my stage with my band.
Fuck you Get off my stage 'cause you don't have a band.
So what was that first song? "I Am Love"? What?
(CROWD CHEERING)
(COURTNEY) This guy wasn't long
for The Brian Jonestown Massacre
(ANTON) Okay I need a fucking drink,
I'm not getting paid.
Send a waitress up here right now
or else we're fucking leaving.
We already played for these people that stayed for us.
Give us fucking drinks or fuck off, we're leaving.
This is fucking bullshit You don't pay somebody.
We want a drink We're playing, we're sweating
I'm working harder than you, motherfucker!
(CROWD JEERING)
But check out when the bouncers come up to beat us up
we outnumber the fucking bouncers!
Look around you!
Look, there's more of us.
There's more of us Let's get 'em.
Alright, this next song's about love,
and it's called well "Love", ,
Hey, quit... Hey, I'm gonna have the bouncers beat you up
if you don't stop stepping on their mics, man.
They don't like that Pick that shit up.
Bring 'em on!
Pick that fucking shit up and quit.
Hey, you fucking asshole, you get outta here too
I'll play by myself, Dean You go have a drink Bye Watch.
(PLUCKS NOTES ON GUITAR)
Pick that fucking shit up!
Hey, stand the fuck back, motherfucker!
(WOMAN LAUGHS)
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
(OBJECTS CLATTER)
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
(JOEL) Here it is. Our embarrassing party video
that for all involved will never go away
(GLASSES BREAKING) - (INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
What the fuck is going on here?
(WOMAN SCREAMS)
What the fuck.
(CROWD CHEERING)
(JOEL) They even spoofed it on Gilmore Girls.
I'm here to destroy the system, so stay outta my way!
- Hey! - And you need to.
- (CROWD SCREAMING, CHEERING) - (GRUNTING)
(JOEL) And, yep, that's me.
It was a very strange day in Hollywood,
but back to reality
(CROWD CHEERING)
He fucking broke my sitar, motherfucker.
- (ONDI) You okay, man? - Yeah, I'm okay.
Did you get hurt?
- Is that blood on you? - Yeah.
- From where? - From people's faces.
(NINA) He wants to be a rebel.
He doesn't wanna conform, he doesn't.
He wants to be successful in one part, but he doesn't...
He can't admit that to himself,
so he completely sabotaged that-that showcase.
He knew what was at stake.
He knew he could have gotten a million-dollar deal
if he had played it right
I think my running total, um,
is 21 official quits
of the band.
(ONDI) After last night,
are you still in the band?
I don't know.
Nobody punched me, so I guess I'm clear.
For most band conflicts I've seen,
usually it's because two or three guys in a band
can't get along together because of some girlfriend
or because they both wanna write the songs
or it's-it's some kind of typical situation like that.
This is not a personality conflict,
it's a vision of the world.
Sometimes, people go past the boundaries
of-of-of good and evil or-or whatever
boundaries of common sense
we all operate under into another realm.
And-and we call these people prophets.
Jesus Christ was a person like this,
so was Charles Manson.
They transcend the normal world
and they set their own
(MAN) Adolf Hitler
(GREG) Exactly Standards.
(MAN) Yeah, megalomaniacs
(GREG) Anton sees himself in that mold.
That's where his problem comes, you know,
trying to integrate his mystical vision
with his messed up personality.
And it's, it's really heart-wrenching to see it.
He's not just a jerk, you know, he's-he's
he's almost like one of these people
who stumbles out of the desert, screaming, "I've seen God!"
You know? (CHUCKLES)
"We understand that we are your backup musicians
and we take musical direction from you.
You, on the other hand,
understand that we are human beings
and don't wanna be treated like shit " Something like that."
Yeah - Okay.
In his mind, no one can play the music
as well as he could, you know.
If Anton had his way, he would clone himself
and he'd have six other Antons
and they'd all be playing, like, the instruments.
Anton on drums, Anton on bass,
Anton on all the guitars, and whatever.
I don't like being robbed from,
and it's highly against the law, stealing from people.
(ONDI) How have you been robbed?
Well, we'll see, won't we?
I'm not for sale Do you understand?
I'm not for sale.
- Nobody says that. - What are you trying to do then?
I'm fucking Love.
Understand what I'm saying? Like The Beatles.
The Beatles were for sale I give it away.
It cost me $17 I paid for this record, right?
- I used the money... - (ONDI) It cost you 17 bucks?
Seventeen bucks to make Thank God for Mental Illness.
No shit, and I'm gonna show you
'cause we're-we're gonna go up to Oregon
I'm gonna record a bunch more records and you can see.
(COURTNEY) Anton had been threatening
to move to Portland for months.
But when he finally showed up with all of his belongings,
we realized he had intended to move in with us.
We couldn't really take him in.
I'm in Portland now, kids It was a rough trip.
- (MAN) It was a rough trip? - Yes
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey - Won't you take my flower?
I picked it for you - Thank you.
This is Barry Simons, my attorney.
He's the easiest client I have to deal with
mostly because, um, Anton does all his own negotiations
(LAUGHTER)
I basically mop up a little bit here and there, you know.
(ONDI) How did you hook up with them?
I went to see them play at an after-hours party
when it was raided by the police,
and they didn't play.
And then the next time I saw them,
they were playing on the roof of, uh,
a house on Haight Street doing their Let It Be session,
I mean, literally playing outside on the rooftop,
and the police showed up.
So at first, I got the impression
that ever time they play,
the police were gonna show up and it was gonna be,
you know, they were gonna need me there just to talk for them
(ONDI) From your history in the music industry,
would you say that bands benefit from record deals?
- From record deals? - (ONDI) Yeah Like bands, like
I haven't heard of one,
but I'm quite prepared for the eventuality.
I think Joel said it all, you know
(MELLOW GUITAR MUSIC PLAYS)
(JOEL) The eventuality of staying warm and snug
with the Dandys up in Portland
wasn't to be.
So we ended up living
in a freezing warehouse rehearsal space
(WHIRRING) Going up Top floor.
Pantyhose, illegal drugs, and cigarettes.
Oh, you're supposed to push "stop".
Oh, well My hairspray.
(MAN) Protect-o, Final Net.
An after-rinse for that hold,
that the weather you just can't count on.
Hello, darling I'm home What's for tea?
(ONDI) Do you find Portland creatively inspiring, Anton?
No I find it dismal.
(BOTTLE THUDS)
It was a terrible mistake to come up here,
but we did it.
And now that we're here, there's nothing we can say, huh?
(ONDI) Do you feel like you're in exile here?
(SNICKERS)ooh, baby, baby!
- (MAN) (INDISTINCT) - (LAUGHS)
It's really been good for my hopeless,
like, isolated, like, life-is-shit kind of vibe.
(ONDI) Did anybody in the band invite Anton to move here, or.
Well - Or suggest it'd be a good place
for Anton to move, or anything?
I don't know, that's like inviting Anton to your house.
This is a small town I don't know.
(PETER) Maybe he expected to stay with us
and we weren't gonna have him stay with us
(COURTNEY) And make a record with him and.
- And he was... - And we went on with our lives
because we actually had stuff to do.
We had to get that record done We had to get it out.
(ZIA) Yeah. We were being productive
(JOEL) The highlight of our long winter
squatting in the freezing warehouse
was when Anton and Sophie spontaneously tied the knot
for which they imported a hippie priest
who brought a bottle of whiskey.
As the official best man,
I got to sign the marriage certificate,
which filled me with pride,
but it didn't change the fact we were all sleeping
on one dirty mattress
in pure fucking squalor.
Happy New Year - Happy New Year.
(COURTNEY) We played a New Year's show that year,
and Joel, of course, came to party
I didn't notice at the time, but Anton didn't show.
(ONDI) Any resolutions this year, Courtney?
Any revolutions for this year, Courtney?
- Revolution? - Yeah I'm gonna get this,
like, a tattoo of this here.
I like this 'cause it makes me feel like Amadeus.
(ZIA)oh (LAUGHS)
(LAUGHS)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER) - Hence my theory.
The Dandy Warhols are nothing but a bunch of feds.
Yes - Six, five, four,
three, two, one.
Happy New Year!
(DISCORDANT ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
Happy New Year
(BRIGHT ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
Quiet The artist needs quiet.
The artist is gonna create a sound for his concise purpose.
- (ONDI)okay - Using a modular synthesizing
apparatus from RadioShack
(FUNKY, WARBLING SYNTH MUSIC PLAYING)
(STACCATO BEATS)
(STACCATO NOTES)
(PLAYS LILTING CHORD)
One, two, three, four
(MELLOW GUITAR MELODY PLAYING)
# Ooh #
# Say goodbye to Mom and Dad #
# The two best friends I never had... #
(RECORDED VERSION)?. To be knowing where I'm going?
# How about you? #
(PATSY) Tony was raised in a very affluent society.
He had every advantage a child could possibly have
I mean, he had a lot of disadvantages.
Was raised by a single parent He didn't have a father.
Well, see, that was my fault Being an alcoholic,
I left the family when he was about a year,
a year and a half old.
I had shown symptoms of schizophrenia
and I drank every day.
(PATSY) You have to look at... Here's a
here's a very, very superiorly intelligent child
who knows what the curfew is,
who knows that Newport Beach strongly enforces the curfew,
who has been arrested 50 times for it,
and yet continues to do it.
So when they called me at work and said,
"You need to come and pick him up,"
when I went to the Newport Beach jail,
I said, "I'm not taking him
I'm not picking him up I'm tired of doing this".
They said "But you have to", I said, "No, I don't have to
? What are you gonna do 'Cause I'm not picking him up"
I told him the last time,
"Next time, I won't come get you."
So he was taken to the adolescent unit
by the police, not by me
I signed the papers as his guardian,
but he was taken there by the police.
I hate to see him repeat his life like myself, you know.
Two divorces and, uh
and not getting a chance to raise your kids.
There was times when Tony appeared under the influence.
There was times when he was growing pot
and I was the first one to call the police
and have them come here and get it.
And I guess I sort of thought eventually
he'd get over all this nonsense
and he'd grow up and he'd get a real job,
but he never has.
He feels starved for affection, I think Love, you know?
And as a father, you know, I,
I probably failed immensely, you know,
and I feel guilty about that, you know.
If he has abandonment issues,
they're as much my responsibility as his.
You know, I noticed the album he gave me
is Thank God for Mental Illness
(LAUGHS)
- Sad, isn't it? - (MAN) Extremely sad.
They are the best two friends I never had.
He has no.
He really, as near as I can tell,
doesn't have any family he can fall back on He.
He, uh, doesn't have any money He doesn't have a home.
Uh, it's enough to drive anybody crazy.
Now, I think he's a little bit on the edge besides that.
But, uh, you know, it's, it's amazing he has.
He can be, uh, uh, as sane as he usually is.
Actually, he has nobody You know, he gets help
because the people are... some people are with him.
We are all with him.
But I don't think his family
has ever been very helpful for him.
When we got together, we all realized our parents
were all still married, and we were like,
"We're the most well-adjusted band in America.
We're the most well-adjusted band in America"
(JOEL) Right on, Courtney Must be nice.
Too bad you didn't even let us in the front door
during our homeless months in Portland.
Well, life moves on and so did we,
into our very own rental property in Los Angeles.
The whole band's back together again,
even original guitar player Jef Davies,
fresh from getting clean.
Knock-knock.
Another bathroom.
(JOEL) It was a new beginning.
It's a mansion - There's 14 rooms here.
It's an estate.
(CHUCKLES) Well, you know.
- Release the hounds on this. - (LAUGHTER)
I've been on couches and floors for so damn long.
I'm I'm very digging the idea
of having a door that you can close.
Hey, where's Anton at?
He's with Ondi, taking Courtney to the airport.
(COURTNEY) I'd been meeting with Capitol
as I was finishing the record.
I wanted Anton's opinion on a song
everyone expected to be a massive hit
Anton, this is gonna be This is like such a ridiculous,
super fucking hit.
(ANTON) Okay, here we go.
I'm ready to get silly - Yeah
(ROCK MUSIC BEGINS)
# I never thought you'd be a junkie #
# Because heroin is so passé #
# But today #
# If you think that I don't know #
# About depression and emotional pain #
(COURTNEY) Anton didn't react at all.
It kind of bummed me out, but I think I knew why
Anton inspired Courtney to go
much farther than he's ever gone before.
It was definitely both of them
kind of wanting to be the other person.
I know Courtney's always wanted that mad genius thing
but is unable or unwilling to let himself go that far.
(ZIA) Anton and Courtney.
Love-hate relationship, I guess
I think they feel they're on the same level
in a lot of ways, with creative ability.
You know, they challenge each other.
They fuel each other's fire
(COURTNEY) I didn't have time to reflect much
on Anton's lack of interest in my new song
'cause mega-celebrity fashion photographer.
David LaChapelle
agreed to do our video.
Capitol threw down $400,000 to make this happen.
Suddenly, it felt like we were gonna be big time
# I never thought you'd be a junkie #
# Because heroin is so passé #
Big money.
Turn around, look at that.
I didn't know it was gonna be a Dep advertisement
(LAUGHS) - (MUSIC PLAYS)
(WOMAN) Alcohol-free Dep gel, mousse, and glaze.
# You gotta get Deputized #
- The '80s angle. - It was a complete surprise.
# Heroin is so passé, hey #
# Hey, ah... #
I am not going to really collaborate.
If it's great, I'm gonna think you're fucking great.
If it's not, I'm gonna be really pissed off at you.
Courtney's having second thoughts about the entire video.
If we could just reshoot just the band stuff,
like once my hair grows out a bit.
Okay, redo it, but we have to redo it 'cause of the hair
- I think they drove out.. - (ZIA) To the "Junkie" shoot.
Yeah, I'm sure we told them about it and said,
- "Come and eat some free food" - "Steal some vitamins"
(ADAM) The spread was alright, but it looks to me
like they wasted 500 grand
before they even had a product.
And that's money they had to pay back to the label
I think I'm beginning to
I'm beginning to grasp the concept here.
The theme is Am I wrong?
Passé things, things that are passé.
- (ONDI) This whole thing? - The whole thing.
Whoa, look at this Is this all for the Dandys?
Yeah You should have seen them performing on that stage.
Wow - Yeah.
Is it gonna happen for us?
- ? Hey.? - (SONG ENDS)
(MAN) Ladies and gentleman,
thank you for a good shoot That's a wrap.
(COURTNEY) Brian Jonestown Massacre
left our video shoot convinced
that we had blown way off course.
I'm sober (LAUGHS)
I dig everything.
Hello, Mr Policeman (SINGS ALONG)
I am white.
(COURTNEY) The guys in The Brian Jonestown Massacre
actually did the drugs we were singing about,
and still they seemed to miss the irony in the song.
And whereas some members were able to use dope
and be somewhat functional,
it seemed to bring out a really dark side of Anton.
Why don't you just fucking take her out of here?
She's crazy or something.
Fuck, I asked her just to leave me alone for a fucking minute.
- (SOPHIE CRYING) - Now she wants to smash shit
- and pull my hair. - (ONDI) She wants love.
- (SOPHIE) You told me. - (ANTON) Fuck that!
(ONDI) She just wants love!
Go to sleep It's 2:00 in the morning.
- Fuck this! Leave! - I wasn't gonna do dope
with you every day.
Doesn't... You're so fucking.
(ANTON) Leave me alone
(SOPHIE SPEAKING)
(COURTNEY) Sophie left Anton and never returned.
She actually joined the band The Minstrels,
fell in love with George, the lead singer,
and together they moved to Tahiti.
Back at the house, the band was preparing
for a new record and summer tour.
(GENTLE GUITAR MELODY PLAYS)
# Time is a handle #
# Lifeless on your wall #
(JOEL) Peter Hayes has joined the band for an education.
The gun drops.
(JOEL) But don't let the Hayes Glaze fool you.
He had some big stuff cooking.
For now, though,
he's in Anton's School of Hard Knocks.
Yeah, I know Yeah.
(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)
(JOEL) We had promised a record
in exchange for a place to live.
So we had to come up with one, fast
(INDISTINCT) Just for one sec
I don't know what you're gonna I'm gonna
I'm gonna show you something for one second.
(JOEL) Brad is not the greatest drummer,
but because his hair is exactly like Brian Jones',
I'd been able to convince Anton to take him on.
That-that-that really isn't a song It doesn't go
(STACCATO, LUMBERING BEAT)
I mean you can... you can do it to the rhythm, but check
there's like a swing to it, so it's all
(LIVELY DRUM RHYTHM PLAYING)
(MELLOW HARMONICA SOLO)
(JEFF) So many opportunities have passed
and-and not even been acted upon
that it makes me kind of mad.
My dreams for the next six months are,
that we stop fucking around,
we practice.
There's a million songs that are good.
In the past, I've thought about,
"Why haven't I accomplished more?"
Maybe you don't fail if you don't try.
We should have a fucking party here.
(COURTNEY) Well, The Brian Jonestown had a party
to show us their new house and their cool scene.
Apparently, it was a pretty good party.
In fact, that's Harry Dean Stanton there
# Train, train #
# Rolling down that track #
(JOEL) This was the stuff dreams were made of.
Harry Dean Stanton,
star of Repo Man, Paris, Texas, Wild at Heart, Twin Peaks,
the list goes on.
Sitting on my bed, jamming
(SINGING INDISTINCTLY) - (LAUGHTER)
(FUNKY RHYTHMIC DRUMMING)
(JOEL) But The Dandys missed it all.
They were across town
with their fancy fashion photographer friend.
There they are Alright (LAUGHTER)
Bring the film crew Nice hat (KISS)
Hello Hi - Mwah!
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Take it - Look at the fingers.
("IN MY LIFE" BY THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE PLAYS)
(COURTNEY) I decided that the BJM house,
the day after they threw a party,
would be the perfect location
for a Dandy Warhols' photo shoot.
What I wanna do is, I wanna go out to this
really, really fucked household.
(COURTNEY) Yeah, I didn't bother to warn the guys.
(ZIA) When we did the photo shoot in their house,
I just couldn't believe it.
They had no furniture, hardly Everything was on the floor.
It was like a squat, a hovel.
How do you guys live like this?
There was dish soap on the kitchen table
and maybe an empty 40-ouncer
and some guitar amps and stuff in the living room.
(ONDI) Matt Hollywood, there's a lot of people
walking into your house right now.
There's a whole photo shoot about to happen
- and your house is trashed. - (MUMBLES)
You guys partied last night
I think that it's a good idea, having the photo shoot here
so that they can pretend that they had a big party.
(SNORTS)
They've come for our minds
("IN MY LIFE" BY THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE CONTINUES)
Oh, this is great It's got two mirrors.
You guys, we have to do this other one 'cause there's like...
It's tiny, there's two mirrors that face each other like this,
so we can give the total shot with a bunch of reflections.
Do the cut Do the cut - Do the cut.
Yeah - I won't kill you
(LAUGHTER)
Zia, look over here again.
- (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - Good. Good Okay.
They're copping our whole gig We have to live there, baby.
Oh, no, we're certainly not gonna say
it's our house It'll be like.
Oh - (LAUGHS) Certainly not.
You're not gonna say it's our house either, now are you?
Yeah, we are We're gonna say, caption one,
"Every day, The Dandy Warhols
wake up together in the home of a different band.
Today it's, The Brian Jonestown Massacre"
(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) But how much do we get paid?
I know, all we're talking about is dough, baby.
- Dough?? - Where's the dough See.
Now, if we take pictures in our own house.
Now, if we take pictures in our own house,
people are gonna accuse us of ripping you guys off.
In our own house.
(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)
(COURTNEY) I guess The Brian Jonestown Massacre
wanted revenge.
So when they scammed some time at a local studio,
they wrote us a song
(ANTON) "Not If You Were The Last Fucking Dandy on Earth".
That's the name of our song.
She looks like she's about ready to get robbed, to me, you know
"I want those fucking bastards dead.
They're jeopardizing the Dandys' career!"
Pretty hot, huh?
In fact, I'll put it on
("NOT IF YOU WERE THE LAST DANDY ON EARTH" PLAYS)
It's so fucking funny.
Move on over, Dandy (LAUGHS)
(COURTNEY) They had scammed a week to record
from an A&R rep who believed in them.
So, as usual, Anton moved into the studio,
had a bunch of his friends over
and squeezed out an entire album
called Give It Back!
# And we like what you say #
# What you say #
# You got things we should learn #
# Got some things to learn #
# And we like what you're doing #
# Do it more, baby, yeah #
# You got speed to burn #
# Pass it over here #
# And you look so wasted #
# And, baby, I know why #
(VOCALIZING)
(IMITATING DRUM BEAT)
# And you look so cool #
# Yeah, you look so cool #
# And you look so high #
# And we like where we live #
# You know where we're livin' #
# Come on, drop us a line #
You go (IMITATES DRUM BEAT)
Like a snare roll
- right in the middle of this. - One, two, three, four.
("SERVO" PLAYING)
# Open up 'cause here I come #
# Here I am #
(MARK) You guys were fucking crazy
at the Viper Room.
- Oh, you saw that? (LAUGHS) - Holy Mackerel.
That's a fucking three-ring circus if I ever saw one
(MELLOW ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
Wow.
Now what I want you to do
is, like, assemble out of all these ideas,
what you think is just like the awesome song
and just write it down so it can be read.
That's why I saved space on here.
(VOCALIZING)
(MUFFLED) Full speed ahead, Captain And
(MAKES QUIRKY MOUTH SOUNDS)
All the sounds I can make with my nois... my mouth.
Ah!
A day at the studio with the BJM.
(JOEL) Miranda was a model.
She'd even done milk commercials as a teen,
but she also was a talented singer
with a voice like an angel's angel
(MIRANDA) I dedicate this chord
to you.
That totally was it.
(MIRANDA) It's such an interesting case study.
What, in the end, will yield people success?
We're like, "Shit man, what if it doesn't happen?"
"This Is Why You Love Me" is recorded already,
two steps... notches above that,
so that it blows up their speakers with a.
# I heard you say #
(HUMMING)
Okay? So that song dies out and then it's immediately um,
(HUMMING)
The "Satellite" will just kind of like.
That-that is... It's like
(SINGS INDISTINCTLY)
(COURTNEY) The band finished the record
and prepared to hit the road the next morning
on their first national tour.
They never before tried to pull this off.
They were sure they would finally get signed,
so long as Anton could hold it together out there
("SATELLITE" PLAYING)
# Love flies above #
Come on, let's go!
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
("SATELLITE" CONTINUES)
Don't let the hair scare you, babies.
(COUGHS)
It's time to go on
(PSYCHEDELIC ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
In Raleigh, me and Joel were walking down the street
and this this, uh, truck pulls up,
or drives by next to us, and I hear this,
"There's two click suckers there"
(EXAGGERATED CHUCKLE)
And I just like, "Whatever, man.
Laugh all you want, redneck
I'm on my way to your girlfriend's house".
It was kind of embarrassing though 'cause we were
we were sucking each other's dicks at the time.
Yeah - So.
So, I'm really happy that everybody came.
Um, this is our first time through America.
Uno, dos, tres, cuatro!
(JOEL) Under The Ohio Communist Party headquarters,
we played for an audience of ten
for almost as many hours.
(INDISTINCT)
- (LAUGHTER) - (SIGHS)
(ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
Three sets, four sets - One giant set.
No, no, you ain't done till we say you're done
I'm in charge now, man You know, fuck Dan.
Hey, we'll feed you, we'll please you.
That shit You know, people,
I can't believe no one would show up.
Look at that dog Man
(LAUGHS)
What the hell? This is the band that rules
(IMITATES GUITAR PLAYING)
(HUMS NOTE)
Yeah, I should figure something out
(CONTINUES GUITAR IMITATION)
It's so easy to do now It's so simple to do now.
Why don't you up...
You know, you can fucking stop the fascism in a second.
That's why I made you that tape, man.
You know? Of Longmont Potion Castle.
Crank calls, man, you're gonna love it
I made you the tape Yeah.
Right on - It's all at the same point.
- You know? - (ONDI) What's the point?
To stop.
To-to crack everybody up.
Slack everybody up Crack and slack.
One, two, three, four!
(UPBEAT ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
(MANIACAL LAUGH)
(MEOWING)
Brian Jonestown.
You'll find a piece of them in everybody.
I got some pussy now.
Mad Duck Dallas Brother, what's the prediction?
I don't think you're gonna get the turnout
that you think, but who knows?
And there we have it, folks.
We're packing up and we're leaving now.
Run for your lives - You need to.
Pixy Stix.
It's little crystal candy.
Most people take it through the mouth,
but I like to get straight to the high.
- (SNORTING) - He's snorting it.
Oh, Jesus Christ
I can fly.
But after fueling up and gigging,
the shit really hit the fan.
- Ah! - (ONDI LAUGHS)
- This shit I can't... - You play fucking video games
I don't care - It's cool, man.
Oh, I can play fucking computer games
I can fucking escape into a fantasy world
I can get you to Chicago, I can also leave you here,
you fucking turd.
And now you have us and you have a fucking life.
No, you don't give me any life, man.
You're not life, you guys are death.
You're just fucked-up death
I've been busting my ass for you pussies for so long,
and I get your fucking mouth and I get your shit.
- You don't have to work. - I will fucking kill you.
(JOEL) Matt and Peter took of.
They figured they could walk back to California.
He might come back this way.
Can you guys just chill for ten minutes,
like, where this van is?
(CHUCKLES) Oh, man, okay.
- You're gonna give us? - Pull into my spot or whatever
or by that alley and just wait,
in case they come back out this way.
Otherwise, we'll lose 'em forever
(TIRES SCREECH)
(DAVID) What's up, Ondi?
What do you wanna do? Do you wanna go to Columbus?
(DAVID) I don't know.
I mean, do we stay?
There's no reason to be in Columbus
and wonder if the band broke up or not.
- You know? - Yeah.
It's just the usual crap.
No, no.
This is to be expected, you know?
But it's always... It's held together this far.
You know? What do you got written here?
"Life on the road with, um, The Brian Jonestown Massacre."
"Fight" Oh, wait
"is getting exhausting, fighting all the time
I don't think
the greatest rock and roll band in America
"will ever overcome itself"
(ONDI) It's just not what this is about, Anton, you know?
No, this is what it's about.
(ONDI) I know, but this is not what it's about.
No, this is what it's always been about.
Do you want me to go look around?
If you want to.
You came halfway across country to film a band
that's full of total fuckups, and you know that though.
(ONDI) You think the band is gonna go on?
I mean do you think, Matt's gonna come back?
We're gonna go on no matter what.
(ONDI) Not without Matt and Peter, to New York.
It's gonna go on no matter what.
(ONDI) Not this trip.
This trip's going on no matter what
I'm going to New York with or without these people,
whether they play or don't play.
(ONDI) Well - I'll turn it into a vacation
if I have to I ain't out here for nothing, man.
Basically, the guys walked off, away from our whole camp
in the middle of the night, drunk as hell.
And Peter being this young, immature, fucking stupid
here comes a cop... hippie fucking dumb-ass that he's being,
went with him,
and they walked away from my scene completely
and we've been up the alleyways back and forth.
Here comes the sun It's the next day.
We've been looking forever and they're not here They
I'm sober and I drank a lot more than they did and I'm sober now.
They haven't come back Therefore, what do we do?
Choice one, we leave Peter and Matt in Chicago for evermore
and never see them again.
(JOEL) We finally found them, but we were miserable.
And what made it even worse?
We knew the Dandys were out there
somewhere living the dream
("EVERY DAY SHOULD BE A HOLIDAY" PLAYING)
# Summertime, if I was getting paid #
# For getting drunk and getting laid #
# I'd grab a phone and call you... #
(COURTNEY) We came back to Los Angeles to discover
that Capitol had not been promoting our choice
for a second single, "Boys Better,"
because our first single, "Junkie,"
hadn't broken the Top 20 on U S Radio.
I called the label,
but couldn't get anyone to assume responsibility.
Well, I'd really love to have a successful single
I'd like to have, you know?
Yeah Mm-hmm.
You haven't scheduled any time,
like a week or whatever, to do radio.
Um, as early as possible would probably be really good for
good for my band at least.
You're saying that you don't carry
a lot of weight around Capitol?
(MAN ON PHONE) Well, I'm just telling you
that-that it's like, it's not up to me, really
(COURTNEY) Yeah, but everybody says
it's not up to them around there.
The suits were clearly disappointed
that our band hadn't turned out
to be an overnight sensation.
Apparently, the "Junkie" video had been put on hold
because Capitol repo'd the footage from LaChapelle
I thought they put too much makeup on me.
Take my name off of it
I talked to Courtney last night.
He's like, he doesn't want any close-ups in it.
He wants it to be a performance spectacle.
He wrote me this smoochy-coochy letter "You, Salvador".
Compared me to Salvador Dali and Man Ray,
and like, "You do whatever you want," and this and that.
And then, you know, as soon as I'm done with the video,
he thinks he can just start screaming at me
at the top of his fucking lungs
and, like, acting like a huge spoiled Baby Huey Uh-uh.
But he's not like an alternative rock star.
He's a pop star I mean, he's like an R&B act or something.
You know, like I'm obsessed with their face, how they look
I said to him, you know, "This is how you look."
This isn't some weird, you know, sort of special-effecty video
where... You know, this is like, you know,
pretty diffused light on you
and you look...
You know, Zia looks like how Zia looks,
the dancers looked how they looked,
and you look how you look,
and that's how you look.
"This is you" - (ONDI) What did he say?
He started screaming that he has clone thousands of videos.
He used the word "thousands"
"I've done thousands of videos and I know how I look"
(COURTNEY) Dealing with diva fashion photographers
and evasive record label executives
was starting to really get me down.
Seemed the only inspiration I found at the label
was looking through the pictures
of the shoot we staged
at the Jonestown house.
- (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - (LAUGHS)
Uh, didn't we have fun at The Brian Jonestown house?
I found one of those driveway car deals, caught up
with The Brian Jonestown Massacre in Detroit,
and found out that Anton had written a couple songs for me.
(GUITAR STRUMMING)
# Courtney Taylor #
# You're a hell of a guy, don't you know? #
# I met you in the van after the show #
Okay? This song's called.
"Not If You Were The Last Dandy On Earth."
Oh - Ready?
("NOT IF YOU WERE THE LAST DANDY ON EARTH" PLAYING)
# Take my money #
# Take my time #
# Take my sister #
# I don't mind #
- That's psychotic, huh? - Dude, that's so good.
(COURTNEY) I will personally tolerate more shenanigans
from that fucking Anton just because he makes and has made
such unbelievably powerful and important records
# And I turn to Jesus when I lost all my friends #
# And the good times all ended #
# With my money, I spent it #
(MELLOW ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
(SINGING INDISTINCTLY)
Fuck that I didn't drive across the country
to get a bunch of shit from you Fuck that
I work fucking hard I work fucking hard.
(COURTNEY) Well, they didn't know what to call this one.
A newspaper called it a "riot."
See, the audience had attacked the film crew
for filming the band, and then jumped the band
I thought it was fantastic.
I could've hit you in the fucking face!
- You're fucking with our people. - You fucked with our people!
I love this This is great This doesn't happen to my band.
Doesn't happen to my band This is cool.
There's this great sense of expectation and anticipation
when one goes and sees Brian Jonestown Massacre
about exactly what could go down.
Will there be a knife fight?
Will one of the band members decide
they hate the other person so much
they're gonna slam 'em in the head?
Will they dissipate and fall apart after one song?
Or will someone antagonize the audience so much
that you'll end up in a brawl?
I mean, you just never quite know what's gonna happen.
Or will they even make the show?
You go and see a show, you talk to fellow A&R people and say,
"Oh, by the way, I flew down there and I saw them
and they're insane They can't do it.
Too bad We love 'em.
We wish 'em good luck, but can't work with them...
Are you gonna be like a big waste of money
? where they clump all this money.
You make, like, a record and then somebody kills,
you guys kill each other or split up or whatever, you know?
(CAR ALARM BLARING)
(COURTNEY) We've been driving since Detroit.
Been quite a while.
We've been driving with Dean and, uh, Anton in this car.
Trying to stay awake and smoking a lot of grass
and doing a lot of dope, snorting China White.
(ONDI) So how far are we going today?
All the way, baby.
Yeah, this is kind of nutty, you know?
Like, this is how bands break up.
If they didn't know that Ours almost did, you know?
Oh, gee, you got like a pack of fucking junkies on the road,
not eating much, drinking a lot,
doing dope, and not sleeping.
Is anybody gonna get grumpy and irritable
and start fighting with each other at all?
No, probably not.
It's not my tour, so I'm just having a good time.
(CHUCKLES)
Can I get some reverb in the house?
(JOEL) Against all odds, we made it to New York.
Alright
(PLAYING MELLOW ROCK MUSIC)
I saw Dylan at Gerde's in 1963.
You know, I've been listening to this for the last 35 years.
These guys, whoever it is, these guys have it.
What's the name of the group again? Brian Jones.
- (ONDI)..town Massacre. - (ADAM) I saw this record,
Satanic Majesties'
and I went home and listened to that record
probably about a hundred times in a row,
and I was totally obsessed with it.
And I didn't know
what The Brian Jonestown Massacre was
I didn't know if it was a new band or an old band
I didn't know if it was one person or a hundred people
I just loved this record, and then saw In the paper
that they were playing three shows.
(CROWD CHEERING)
You guys are great, man.
And I went to all three shows
I'll just say I'm having the greatest time of my life.
First time ever been to New York.
(ADAM) And on the third one, I asked Peter Hayes,
who's now in Black Rebel Motorcycle Club,
who was in the band at the time,
if he could introduce me to Anton
("WHOEVER YOU ARE" PLAYING)
(ADAM) I wanted to give Anton my number so he could call me.
And I didn't have anything to write on
except for this card that I had in my wallet
of all my important phone numbers
I crossed out all my numbers,
I wrote down my number on there and gave it to him.
And I was like, "You're the only person
that I need to talk to now"
# Deep #
# Inside #
# Won't beg you #
# Step inside #
# Please #
# Let me take you down #
# To the place I'm going #
# More than treasures found #
# It's just in knowing you #
I didn't know anything about their reputation.
And I was like, anyone who's making music this good
deserves to have a record deal and deserves to be signed.
Hey, listen Hey, Dennis.
When people like you and Dave that know us and are hanging out
and fucking drunk guys are hassling Matt in the front,
you grab Matt or you grab a bouncer
or you grab the fucking drunk guy
I don't want no hassles out of people
that fucking... like, these leeches behind me
that just fucking hang out
and don't do shit when you need it
I quit
Anton is a great songwriter and an arranger,
but he is so horrible in so many ways
I mean, we can talk about truths about me,
but luckily I'm not on trial and he is
I won't - Mmm.
- Who's on trial? - Anton.
- With who? - That thing.
Fucking hate that guy.
Like, seriously, but now I'm over it.
He has a certain way of dealing with things
and when he wan... he's obviously pushing Dave away right now
and that's how he pushes people away
is by driving them away.
He's very inept socially in that department.
He's gonna have to change his personality,
which he's never gonna do, he's a 30-year-old kid.
We're just gonna rent a fucking? Car Understand.
We're gonna honor our commitments
and we're gonna fucking do it for real.
And we're gonna have fun It's gonna be like,
all of a sudden turn into something really great.
We just need to score some wheels
and then we're back on the road.
Taking over.
That's what we gotta do.
Yeah, it's coming to the punch, man (LAUGHS)
We're having the time of our life,
and the shows are getting better and better
and people are really going nuts.
He's gonna totally try and negotiate
an immediate one-off record
and, like, if he can advance us the money, I'd go, "Cool,"
'cause if I can get a third up front,
we'll buy a fucking van
I've been sitting out here in this damn van all day
I've been looking at all these penthouses
and all these gutters,
going eeny, meeny, miny, mo (LAUGHS)
It's really that (LAUGHS)
Is Anton gonna be able to work something out,
? get you guys back on the road.
(JOEL) Anton was unsuccessful in securing a vehicle
for the remainder of the tour dates.
Taxi!
(JOEL) But despite having been fired from stage,
Dave D. Offered to rent us his van.
(DAVE) I shouldn't do this.
I wanted Anton to realize
he would fall on his face without me
(DAVID) So why didn't you let them fall on their face?
Love.
You don't want the band to fail.
- Got another reason why. - What's the other reason?
I'm gonna sue the fucking shit out of him.
- Really? - Just dust him
I always hated the idea of doing that.
- And they don't? - Yeah, 'cause he's not cool.
Open the tray door four , Okay It's open Now.
Now close the door Okay (THUD)
I think I'm making the wrong decision actually, but.
- To rent the van? - Yeah, the wrong thing to do.
You think they're gonna come back with it?
- It's about 50/50 - (WOMAN) Excuse me.
Oh, I gotta pay.
Thank you for reminding me, Miss.
After I spent six hours watching the van,
I spent two hours, like
no, about an hour making a flyer and some stickers
and, uh, we're just leeches, you know.
Here's a copy of the agreement I wanna do.
It says, "I, David Deresinski will rent my van"
to Matt Hollywood and Anton Newcombe
on, nine 6/9/97 until 6/18 " -Yeah."
So for $300, only because I love them.
(COURTNEY) The Brian Jonestown left New York the next morning
to play a round of shows in the South,
but only got as far as Homer, Georgia.
How you doing?
Good I need to see your license and insurance.
Okay It's hers - Oh, okay.
Well need to see, your license anyway.
It got stolen - Huh?
It got stolen in California I'm on tour.
We're just gonna pick up a van -I have my license, sir.
She has all of her stuff She was just interviewing me.
- We're making a documentary. - Oh, okay.
- What's your full name, sir? - My name's Anton.
Alright Pull over over there and let me run your license.
- Sure Whereabouts? - Just right over there.
By this gentleman?
(MUMBLES INDISTINCTLY) ? How you doing today.
Y'all have anything illegal? Any guns or drugs around?
No You're welcome to... You can search the car.
Okay You don't have any problem with a search?
No In fact, I'll waive that right right now.
Alright If y'all would just step out of the vehicle.
Okay
I went all the way through Ok... you know, from California,
like Oklahoma, Minnesota, all that This is
Georgia is the most beautiful state,
I would say - Really?
- (INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER) - Georgia.
We're in Georgia - Yeah, Banks.
- We're in Banks County? - Yeah.
And when's the gig tonight?
- Uh, when's the gig tonight? - I don't know.
I'm starting to think maybe I shouldn't
have come along for this ride.
(JOEL) The cops found a single joint
and hauled Anton and Ondi off to jail
I'm gonna advise you each of your rights.
It's my own fault, whatever happens to me.
But I consented to have a car search
(RETCHES, SPITS)
How's it feel, you say?
Like a rolling stone.
(JOEL) By the time he was bailed out,
it was too late to play the gig
Anton I'll be your man Glad you made it brother,
I hope your ass is still the same.
We were gonna play, we were gonna play without you.
- You should have. - Well, they wouldn't let us.
(JOEL) We didn't play so we didn't get paid,
and we were flat broke
so we didn't know where we'd sleep that night.
I just want you to know that
I'm here for you, brother I won't leave.
Thank you - Won't leave you in the cold.
- Thank you. - Because I've been there myself
I've got a nice comfy bed for you here.
Hey, wow It's a prince fucking foldout bed.
- There you go. - What're you doing, Brad?
I'm getting a little rest Little shut-eye.
(JOEL) Anton was too upset to appreciate our shenanigans.
Fucking crap - That ain't your shit, man.
You don't do that to people's property.
Fuck He's laying in the fucking parking lot all night
I'm just sick of this fucking crap.
Like you could have fucking done this ten hours ago
- I don't care I don't care. - All you guys together.
Obviously you don't care - I don't care.
We all gotta fucking pull together
'cause I think people are starting to get,
you know like a weird vibe, from just everything.
And like they want to, you know everybody wants to know,
that you're into all of them also,
and that we're into it all together
because we're all down here regardless of whatever,
we're all fucking out here and we gotta pull together
and get this shit working.
Matt was trying to make peace.
Lots of luck there.
It was 270 miles to the next gig
with no gas money.
But we managed to swing one motel room
for all eight of us,
filmmakers included.
You didn't fucking put shit, dude.
You got six months' fucking rent
$300 a month, or $200 or $100 a month.
That's 600 bucks right there
$50 a month That's $300 in a month.
And three times more than fucking what you're saying.
Plus whatever you got.
Okay, well, start asking somebody else
for money from here on.
Alright That's totally cool.
That's totally fucking cool.
# All the leaves are brown #
That's totally fucking cool.
(JOEL) As if the night couldn't get any worse,
when Anton went for Brad, I threw myself in between them.
You're gonna leave him alone You are gonna leave him alone
I got a life, man, and I earned some bread
I'm making this room and I'm gonna sleep in it.
That's what this brother's doing.
You didn't fucking earn the bread
I fucking threw my whole goddamn life away for you.
- No, you didn't You didn't. - I'm gonna go to fucking bed
so I can deal with my life.
You do your thing I'll do mine.
That's the way this life works, baby.
Why does this fucking crybaby ninny fucking get the bed?
- I don't really care. - There's a bed over there.
Well, fuck that shit - You want this bed?
No I want you to get your fuckin'g drums and bring 'em in
or else I'm gonna fucking put 'em out because I'm splitting.
I really don't dig this shit
I've fucking had it like
way over my head with people not doing shit
and then me catching all the grief for it Literally.
I hate Anton I hate you, Anton
(MELLOW ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
- (DAVID) And head west? - (BRAD) Yep (COUGHS)
That's what we're trying to do
(DAVID) Do either of you have a credit card or?
Well, Dean does,
but it's down to like $70 left or something.
(DAVID) Hmm.
(ONDI) I'm in the I'm in the shower.
Alright, they want us out.
Uh.
- (DAVID) Good morning, Anton. - Good morning, sunshine.
Probably gonna go to San Diego for a minute or two.
Right on, brother - Alright.
Friends forever, man Don't worry about it
(LAUGHTER)
(JOEL) Dean and Brad flew back to LA
and I almost flew the coop too,
but they roped me back in
by telling me I was the only one
with a valid driver's license.
Right then.
Get outta here, ya Yankees - Good luck.
(JOEL) The Happy Times Van imploded within 20 minutes,
and soon enough, so did the rest of the band.
So Anton played solo all the way back to California
# Well, I had my share of fistfights #
# And good loving too #
# Although I'm getting older #
# Oh, I'm sure I'm not through 'cause I'm alive #
# I'll survive #
# 'Cause I came for you #
# I came for you #
- That's pretty much it. - (ONDI) That's hot.
That last line?
"I had my share of fistfights and good loving too.
Although I'm getting older, I'm sure that I'm not through".
You know what I mean?
(JOEL) Meanwhile, the Dandys were in New York
for some fancy showcase,
though the pressure was on
because Capitol was losing faith.
It was the EMD Convention, which is the distributors.
All the retailers were there from Europe, Japan, everything.
We just sucked We just sounded like shit and I was just like,
"Look, I'm not going to lie about it,
pretend we're rocking, man, feeling it".
So I was just like, "This sucks.
This sounds like fucking shit up here, you guys.
Can you just be patient for a minute?"
Meanwhile, Gersh is in the back, freaking out.
"This is the fucking last time they embarrass me,
motherfuckers!"
You know, I'm like, I'm like,
"How about, fuck you, man?"
How about you get up on stage
"and fucking pull your pants down," you know?
(ONDI) But who was there? Was it like a huge fucking.
Industry, fucking huge industry.
Everybody that Gersh and those guys had said,
"This is the Great White Hope This is the next huge band.
"These guys are fucking amazing," you know?
So now, Japan's like, "Well, I don't know"
Japanese guys were like, "Maybe we'll put it out.
Maybe we won't " You know?"
The Dandy Warhols were a very, a very big popular band
among A&R people
I kept pulling up their Sound Scans too.
And I guess, you know, the A&R people
were like the only ones buying the record.
The record's Sound Scan, first week,
at, what, below 3,000
and, uh, has been dropping for the two weeks since.
You know, The Dandy Warhols are the reason
why people get laid off of record labels
# In my good, good morning #
# I'm up before the sun can bring #
(ADAM) People spend so much money on these bands
and they make ridiculous videos.
And when it doesn't all pan out,
somebody's gotta pay for it, right?
When you sign with a major label,
they always tell you things like, "You know,
we're into careers, not hits".
And you go, "Wow, that's got a nice ring to it".
Yet, if you don't produce a hit,
they don't really give a fuck about your career, you know?
(ADAM) Radio promotion costs are ridiculously out of hand.
Um, video costs are retarded.
Executive salaries, expense accounts.
The music industry is just supposed to be this middleman
between the artist and the consumer
so that people can buy the records that they like.
But somehow, the music industry turned itself into this, like,
evil beast that tries to screw the artist
and tries to screw the fans.
And, um, and it's really obvious
I have no respect for anyone working for any major label
in any capacity whatsoever in the executive.
They're all liars, they're all mediocre people with no talent.
They don't know talent.
They don't understand or like music
in any way whatsoever
I dread to think what they're like in bed trying to have sex
because, you know, their mind and body are not connected.
It's a fool's game to spend your life blaming the record company.
Every label can break bands, every label can't.
Ultimately, it's in the band's hands.
So anybody who thinks, like,
"Oh, now we've got a major deal."
We're home, we're safe,
"we're gonna succeed," it's just bullshit.
Record companies screw up virtually everything
they possibly can screw up,
not because they intend to, but that's just...
It's probably the nature of all corporate organizations.
(ADAM) Major labels lose money on nine out of ten records,
and they have one record out of ten
that makes enough money to cover everything.
And I don't think there's another business in the world
where you can have a 90% failure rate
and still say you're successful.
It's crazy You should be able to make money off every record.
You just have to spend accordingly.
Indie rock happened because of this, you know,
because of what we have experienced
being on a major label,
what every major label says won't happen to you.
They won't tell you what single to put out.
They won't pick your, like, pop song
I mean, that's just bad advertising
for the band, you know?
Fucking clowns.
If I had only been just a little bit smarter.
# In my good morning #
(JOEL) I mean, we're at a level where people
are getting to know it and acquire the music.
That hasn't been done through being signed.
That hasn't been done through your Buzz Bin video or anything.
That's been done all on our own.
We're on the cover of magazines,
not because some suit is backing it
with his bread like everybody else, you know.
We're there because we-we get there on our own
and that is the vibe we exist on
I've been trying to talk Perry
into signing them for a long time.
Like, look, this is the last real rock and roll band.
They're fucking awesome.
They make great records, you know.
You, you couldn't do anything, you know,
like trying to control what happens or anything like that.
But just give them money They'll make great records,
put 'em out on the road and they'll do great.
Before their first American tour
went south, literally,
The Brian Jonestown Massacre had managed to attract
quite a bit of industry attention on the road.
Capitol may have finally listened to me
as they offered Anton a modest record deal.
He asked Michael Dutcher
to represent him at the meeting,
but Anton blew the deal within an hour.
Ah!
(JOEL) Still, it wasn't enough to scare off our new manager.
I thought he was more together when I first met him.
He gave that illusion for a period
like a period of a week,
I think Anton, if he could really focus,
could be in that elite group of people with, you know,
Lennon-McCartney, you know, Bob Dylan.
(JOEL) Not everyone was on board with our new fat-cat rep.
Meet our new manager.
Hey, get that camera outta my face!
(SNICKERING)
Better get a wide-angle lens out
on that one, baby
(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS, WHIRS)
I think that's gonna work - Cool.
Now if we can get you on an airplane
and get you to New York,
we've got a deal - Right on.
There was one last deal on the table
from TVT records in New York.
We don't have a choice, do we?
(JOEL) But after the Capitol dinner gone awry,
Dutcher wasn't gonna take another chance
(DUTCHER) It needed to be a work ID That's fine.
Now do me one quick favor - Mm-hmm.
Don't show this to the FAA before we get on the plane.
(JOEL) Desperate times call for desperate measures,
and like Frankenstein rising from the lab table
comes my new ID, typos and all.
Okay, Anton.
(JOEL) Yeah - We gotta go, brother.
Look.
Like an official human being here.
(INDISTINCT)
That ain't bad
I'm a little nervous
about breaking several federal laws
because the Polaroid
is 15 times as thick as the printer paper.
Not a thing.
(DAVID) Where are you going, Mr Newcombe?
New York City.
What for?
Business.
We get in his car and drive to the airport
I'm half-expecting to get busted,
but we go to the ticket counter at LAX
and they don't even bat an eye.
We board the plane and just as soon
as we reach the legal drinking altitude,
I order a double gin and tonic.
And a beer.
I put a boss a nova CD in my Discman.
It's my first time ever flying
and as we pass up through the tops of puffy white clouds,
I fall in love with it all right here and now
(GENTLE BOSSA NOVA MUSIC PLAYING)
I've arrived in New York City.
We're going to Swanksville here.
The gutter boy
(GIGGLING)
You-you meet Joel? Joel - Yeah Yeah
Anton got an ear infection
and this morning we had to switch him up.
He just wasn't... He was not - Yeah
feeling like himself
and the doctor was a little worried
I don't know He said at one point or another,
he got some kind of accident with his ears.
(JOEL) The TVT execs seemed to buy Dutcher's story
about Anton's earache and I charmed them over dinner.
Come the next morning, it was time for business.
(DUTCHER) I want this deal done today.
Did you talk to Steve about executing today
- and getting the pay today too? - No, I asked you to do that.
Remember, when I left? Okay - Okay.
Let me talk just to, uh,
- business affairs. - Yeah Get them outta here.
You know I don't ask, - I wanted I want two checks,
- five and 50, is that right? - Even if I get the five today.
The name, they... I just... All I need is the five
so I can go cash it at their bank
so that I can take care of some stuff for Joel and Anton
I'll make sure they understand -Beautiful
Anton never had an opportunity to have something
where he could jot down his ideas.
So one of the things we're doing with the advance too
is getting him a little four or eight-track.
Mmm - some mics, some keyboards,
some drum machines for his apartment.
So, so he's gonna... I mean, he'll give you
I mean, the next record you'll get, like,
I-I would pretty much guarantee that you'll end up with,
you know, 150 songs.
What'd you say?
- We're seconds away from. - Oh, it's that time?
Showtime - Oh, okay, good Um.
- Makeup! - (CHUCKLING)
I'm gonna show you four places to sign.
This is, uh, just like
the Declaration of? Independence isn't it.
Exactly - Put your your Joel Gion.
- (PHONE RINGS) - (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
I have my briefcase It's around here.
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER) - Not bad, not bad
- (PHONE RINGING) - (PEN SCRATCHES)
- Oh! - (LAUGHTER)
Two points off (LAUGHTER)
Is that bad?
Um, it'll still be enforceable It's a valid contract
I wanna say that I'm making a personal commitment
not to screw with anybody's head
like in a bad way, you know what I mean?
Only in a good way!
(ANTON) Push drugs on little kids.
And I'm not gonna, um, promote fascism
in any way, um, I'll promote.
Oh, come on (LAUGHTER)
I love making music,
so I don't think we're gonna have any problems.
Okay, Anton, I'm gonna pick up the phone
and then Steve's leaving and.
Thank you, Steve, for your time, man
I'll talk to you as soon as possible.
Take care, man I'll talk to you later.
- Yeah, thank you. - Okay Hit releases.
That's one thing we're absolutely
a hundred percent sure of.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre can make records.
They've made five records in two years
and more and more and more,
and, like, you almost have to stop them from making records,
they're making so many records.
And, like, we're a record company,
so all we have to do is put out their records
I made four record covers so far What do you think?
For four different albums I'm putting out immediately.
This one's called Bringing It All Back Home - Again.
It's the front and back.
But did you see the secret message in his eye?
"Oh, I'm a genetic clone of Adolf Hitler."
Oh, wait, you didn't hear that
Elektra and Sire and Capitol and all these labels and, like,
what's their problem? You know?
It's like, it's like, I-I like this band
I brought the band and the CDs to my boss.
He really liked it,
and within three weeks we had a deal, you know.
It's done It's so easy.
Why is everybody so scared? What's the problem?
All police join this fraternal organization of police
I happen to be a member and here's my number
00777,
Jesus Bond from heaven.
Okay, this is Hebrew again The language I speak.
"My love is stronger than your."
Here's the clincher
"hate"
(ONDI) That is your first signing?
Uh, yes, yes.
A&R, it's very easy Everyone should try it.
Hi You guys have no idea who I just became yesterday.
- (CONCIERGE) Who? - I'm very big, very big.
(CONCIERGE) Wow.
They didn't want just Anton,
they want Anton and myself and yourself,
and that's all right, you know, that's a whole different gig,
you know, by contract.
Adam's really scared about, like,
what the fuck is this? Between you guys and the Dandys.
And like yeah I try, and explain it to him you know, ,
like the history and whatnot, you know,
and he's like, "Well, I can't believe you're playing"
this, like, Beatles versus the Stones gig
when you guys are like so much better than them
and you're gonna totally transcend them,
like, lickety split...
And I was like, "Well, you know, yeah, you know",
they're target number one, you know,
and then we'll move on, you know?
Then from there we'll go to Oasis, you know, whatever.
You know what I mean? They're the first in the line.
"That's kind of the whole gig, you know what I mean?"
(INHALES)
I keep hearing little things in the press.
There's just little mentions that,
you know, they'd be dissing us
and it was just like, "Why?"
Just didn't understand
that supposedly it was a rivalry
that they were trying to start up to get press,
but they didn't tell us that.
So it was just sort of insulting.
This is a special little present from our dear friend Anton.
We were in San Francisco and, um,
we were playing a show at the Purple Onion
and he just drove by in a truck
and I just happened to be outside.
And he said, "Here, here's a present for you
I'll see you in a month I'm going to India".
There's a whole bunch of fun stuff in here.
This lovely bar of soap came attached
to this nice little card
with a little message "Clean up your act".
"Courtney Taylor, surrender"
(GASPING) - (LAUGHING)
I was with, um, Eric and we each had these little.
We found these little things in here
with our individual names on 'em.
Well, they're shotgun shells.
And Marc Geiger had a restraining order
taken out against Anton.
Everybody's thinking Anton's a nut.
So I gotta go back and see how nutty Anton is.
(JOEL) The weird gets turned up to 11.
Anton claims to have made a record with Charles Manson
("ARKANSAS" PLAYING)
# Here comes a government man talkin' to my pa #
# I was a squatter #
# With a stubborn jaw #
(DAVID SPEAKING)
Right before they went to jail -Oh my God.
This is Tex too.
It's all those guys.
(DAVID) When you were where?
(DAVID) With who?
(DAVID) But he's in prison.
So how'd you collaborate on a song with him?
Ready?
# You could feed the world with my garbage dump #
Hi, Charlie.
# That sums it up in one big lump #
(JOEL) Needless to say, the Dandys were freaked out.
He's stalking us now.
He's making phone calls in Courtney's room.
Did you hear that Bob - In the morning
Mike and Heather are trying to get them off the CMJ show.
Good - Yeah, I-I don't... I
I feel bad for everybody else in the band,
but it's like I can't have Anton, the insane guy
I will not have him anywhere near me again,
as much as I can avoid it
and I will not share dressing rooms
with them or backstages.
Anything I don't
I'll still buy their albums though.
(COURTNEY) Our management had thrown.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre off our bill at CMJ,
but Anton showed up on the TVT Records' dime
to distribute his ode to us anyway
(ONDI) What exactly is the adventure tonight, Greg?
We're going down to this stupid club
to hang out in front of a place and annoy people.
Show them just how lame we think CMJ
and the entire music industry is
- I mean, of course. - (ROCK MUSIC PLAYS LOUDLY)
That couldn't possibly mean anything.
("NOT IF YOU'RE THE LAST DANDY ON EARTH" PLAYING)
Woo! Okay.
Taxi!
Hey Back seat or trunk, okay?
(ONDI) Whoa!
In the trunk, thank you.
- Whoa Whoa, that was dumb. - Whoa, whoa, whoa
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
If you have a stamp, you can get in.
I want him out of the building.
The furry hat - With the furry hat?
Yeah, he's not getting in - Alright
("MINNESOTER" PLAYING)
# Yeah, in a slumber #
# I'm sawing lumber #
# I saw my baby dance a Latin number #
- Ready? - I'm ready.
(WOMAN) Someone I talked to on the phone.
Excuse me.
Thank you - Sir Capitol Ready?
- Are you from Capitol? - Uh, no.
Take this anyways.
"Not If You Were The Last Dandy On Earth."
Which you will never be Take it anyways.
How'd you get Jason Cropper's badge?
- Because you know what? - He loves you?
No, I'm the son of God
- I take whatever I need. - That's how you got it there?
Hey, Jeffy.
- What? - (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Keep this - Alright, cool.
This is, um, The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
- Oh, it is? - This is the hot new single,
"Not If You Were The Last Dandy On Earth"
(ONDI) What do you think of the...
- About what? - Of the 12-inch?
I think it's great.
I read it wrong I thought he wanted to kill us all,
but he's actually someone else.
Some secret alter ego.
There he is.
And I almost had to kick his ass.
Almost Next time.
I think it's neat that he's, um, giving us
all this great, um, publicity
I don't know what to call it Not anti-publicity, but, like.
Oh, yeah, it's the underground.
We don't know how to promote ourselves in the underground,
so Anton's gonna do it for us.
He's a really great guy (CHUCKLES)
Courtney, can you sign this for me?
- I think so What was your name? - Uh, just sign it, Courtney
I don't want anything I'll be able to sell it later
(LAUGHTER)
He was like, "You know, Anton really means well,
you know, his heart's in the right place and".
You know, and I was like,
you can't be that fucking naïve, you know? Like he's.
Then why is he doing these, like, petty,
bitter, belligerent little stupid things?
You know? It's like.
It's like, "No, I have friends, Michael"
I know how friends act.
I know how Anton acts when he's a friend.
We used to be really good friends...
Did you see our signed copies?
It's his, like, little idea "We can get this whole, like,
Blur-Oasis thing going, you know?"
Like, yeah, maybe if both our bands were selling,
like, five million records.
And he's like, "You don't even understand Zia,
You don't even realize how much money I've gotten for us"
I was like - "Gimme my cut!"
"I would never wanna hurt you, Zia.
If I wanted to kill you guys, I would've already did it".
Great - Thanks, Anton.
Alright, man - That's good to know
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Come in.
- How are ya? - Good How are you?
Oh, I'm doing dandy How are you?
- "Dandy"? - (LAUGHTER)
Oh, thank you very much.
"Not If You Were The Last Dandy On Earth."
Outstanding.
Cheers - Thank you.
No problem, sir.
I gave him $300 in tips (LAUGHTER)
Joel charged $900 without tipping anybody on drinks.
If I charged $900 in tips and then plus my drinks
what-what do you think they're gonna say?
They're gonna say, "You're not allowed on our label anymore
because you charge $32,000 in tips".
- Anton, this is Steve Gottlieb. - Oh How you doing?
Anton - Good to meet you
Anton from The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
- Gentlemen, how you doing? - Hey, guess what?
Can you put them on hold for one second?
I'm gonna make you a shitload of money You too, Mister.
Go right ahead - You too Alright?
Make us all the money you want.
You're gonna need a backpack
or a duffel bag to carry this.
- Alright? - (LAUGHTER)
Accounting - Yeah.
- You guys handle the numbers? - Brian?
Guess what? You're gonna have to be counting a lot more money
'cause I'm gonna be making you a shitload of money.
Alright, are you guys ready?
I'm not trying to jack you for everything that I can get.
It's quite the opposite, you know?
I-I turned down bigger things to do this
because I'm hoping that the freedom
translates into something better
I can play 80 instruments
and I produce the records Right?
- But do you play an accordion? - Yes, I do.
- You do? - A didgeridoo?
I play all that stuff.
Weird fucking Chinese shit I play.
This is the record of '98.
Hey do you want to go out drinking with me tonight
for a little while if I pay?
(LAUGHS) It's gonna have to be Bloody Marys.
Okay I love tomato juice (LAUGHS)
- We'll have fun. - Yeah Are you gonna be around
- for the weekend too? - Yes.
Are you gonna come to Sevendust tomorrow night?
- To what? - Sevendust?
I'll follow you anywhere - It's good.
Oh, you're so sweet - Seriously.
This is not an animal.
This is a furry halo that you'll (LAUGHS)
No, seriously I'll be so nice to you.
If you're gonna blow me off, call please,
so my feelings aren't hurt.
- M-I'm calling you regardless. - Okay, good.
If I could make a mold of the artist
that could make music just for Michelle
to suit her every mood
and just get me off overall, it's him.
- (ONDI) Really? - He's my rock and roll fantasy.
There was never another artist on TVT before or after
that had more excitement inside the label
("BALLAD OF JIM JONES" PLAYING)
The people who worked there
were so excited to work the record
and they convinced the music industry at large
that The Brian Jonestown Massacre
were the next great thing.
# I walked to New York and back from LA #
# I lived on a mountain and once by the bay #
# I bought an apartment and I slept in the hay #
# But there's no place that's softer than... #
Definitely not an act.
If he wasn't playing music,
it's not like he would get another job.
"It's not like he's like," Okay, music thing isn't working out,
I'm gonna go, like, work in an office."
Like, Anton can only do this one thing.
Like, he is for real What he's doing is for real
# I prayed to Buddha, to Allah, and Jim #
# I turned to Jesus and stayed there with him #
# I fell in deep but I learned how to swim #
# Now there's nobody cleaner than me or than him #
(COURTNEY) Unlike America,
European Radio actually played our record
and only days after its release,
the album was topping the charts
in several countries.
Eric, our drummer, had quit the band two weeks before,
so I brought my cousin Brent to London instead.
Eric had wanted more of my songwriting royalties
and I had refused
"I don't think about you, I think about me.
This is a business".
Oh, really?
I write all of the songs.
All of the songs I produce the records.
All the records.
You know? I do everything.
He said that he does everything,
all the videos, all the producing.
Sorry, dude No.
And yet I'm giving away half of my songwriting money,
half of it,
so that the band can pay rent and have fun
and enjoy enjoy it, you know?
At no time ever did he give 50% of his royalties to the band.
And that's not enough? What, are you fucking stupid?
And so I think, like, the last meeting I had,
like last meeting with Courtney, he just looked at me, he said,
"You will get nothing You will get nothing!"
I was like, "See you, man".
Zia was so young.
Here I am turning 30 during that point,
I'm realizing that, "Oh, my God, this is my life
and I have to trust this guy with my money No way".
And he says "We're going , to Europe in two weeks".
He says, "Think you can learn all of our songs in two weeks?"
And I said, "You're gonna ? Make me sing already".
And he stops He says, "Yeah, because if you can't sing,
there's no real reason for you to be here".
Goes, "We'll go out and get a drink if you can't sing"
Stockholm to Madrid There's gonna be a bus.
("SHAKIN"" PLAYING)
# You were getting older #
# I was getting wiser now #
We're not a heavy airplay band, you know.
We don't get the kind of airplay that Green Day got
or the Spice Girls, or you know.
But it's mostly in America because here in Europe,
you've got a lot of airplay - Do we?
# Well, you get what you got #
# And you learn how to like it #
# Ah #
Sold something like seven thousand
eight thousand, ten thousand, I don't know.
Bunch of thousands.
In France
(CHANTING) - (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Brussels! Copenhagen! We love it
Stockholm, Malmö, Madrid, Barcelona.
Hello We love it.
Your boarding passes, sir?
(JOEL) And we were right behind them.
Hi, England My name's Joel I'm from America
("THAT GIRL SUICIDE" PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT LYRICS)
(LAUGHS)
Just recorded your seventh LP.
What is keeping you buzzing as a band?
Methamphetamines.
Amen - Ha-ha Just kidding.
(JOEL) And then we got invited to Japan.
There were a bunch of girls "Brian Jonestown Massacre!"
And like, and like, they... And he was talking to them
and they started to cry and stuff and then they laughed.
Guess what? Our show tomorrow night costs $55,
5,500 yen.
("ANEMONE" PLAYING)
# I think I know how it feels #
# 'Cause I #
# I only play it for real #
# You should be picking me up #
# Instead, you're dragging me down #
# I could be giving you love, love #
# But, baby, you're not around #
# Now that you're not around #
That was so cool.
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER) - Anton
(SPEAKING JAPANESE)
Nice to meet you - Anton.
- They're waiting for you. - Where are you going now?
- Yeah
- I don't know. - We don't know We don't know
(LAUGHTER)
Kill me - Introduce my friends.
So, Dean Taylor He is gay and junkie.
Okay? (LAUGHS)
(JOEL) How many people can you fit into a Tokyo hotel room?
We're gonna find out.
Two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
(JOEL) But soon enough, we heard from hotel security.
Okay, let's go over to Billy's -Oh, okay.
We-we're, we're going to move to a different room.
(JOEL) And before long,
we were headed back to our country
where the good times came crashing down
when we arrived back in LA to make that record we owed TVT
and Anton started using pretty heavily.
Do you think it's gonna be interesting to see
how our record comes out versus like,
like the Dandys' approach to everything?
Like how they did their shit?
(ONDI) How do they do their shit versus how you do yours?
They had, you know, a producer and they went to his studio
and that guy ended up getting more gear for his studio
Courtney got whatever, you know,
tickets to go to Loveline and shit.
(JOEL) Love advice from the Dandys?
(MAN) Our guest will be The Dandy Warhols
(JOEL) I don't know Let's go to Europe.
(ALL CHEER)
Where they were hitting it big-time.
It's gone ballistic.
Um, I've got some press cuttings in my bag for you to look at.
And, uh, it's, it's gone a bit mad.
Everybody suddenly knows who The Dandy Warhols are.
(RESELLER) Tickets for tonight, buy or sell tickets.
Tickets Dandy Warhols.
(CROWD CHEERING)
# Darling #
# You give me a rope, I'll hang myself #
# It doesn't take a genius to figure it out #
("HARD ON FOR JESUS" PLAYING)
Sitting in the tour bus of the Dandy Warhols
and we're riding over the big bump Hi, guys.
- How did it go? - Great We're fine Yeah.
It was rock - You did rock?
Oh, absolutely.
There's a lady here with a camera
also in the tour bus.
What is it that you are doing? And why.
(ONDI) I'm making a documentary on the band
for two years now.
You've been following them with this camera
for two years now?
(ONDI) Yes.
Where are you going to be tomorrow?
London
(ONDI SPEAKING)
Including our parents?
(ONDI) Yeah.
Exactly - (ONDI) And in England?
(COURTNEY) Like the same number,
40,000 or something.
That's over a year in America.
And that took a little under two weeks in England.
(MAN) He's went around the entire lake
on a unicycle.
(ZIA) You know that our record is number 16 in the UK?
That's pretty incredible, huh?
- (ONDI) The record is? - Yeah.
(ONDI) It just came out - Yeah.
Our tour was sold out
I don't care where we're big, I just wanna buy a house.
You're the ultimate sexy band That's what you are.
Yeah, I know.
(WOMAN) The Dandy Warhols have turned in
two blinding albums in the States
while the release of the sublime second
is due any day now over here.
- Wait for it! Oh! - Oh!
With a list of influences as large as their appetite
for the traditional recreational joys
of rock and roll, sex, drugs
and, well, rock and roll, and more drugs.
We talk about drugs and then we talk about music
and then we talk about sex.
What do they put in the article? They put drugs in.
It's a road test - (ONDI) Right.
Which magazine kind of thing.
You're not testing it on any other bands, or?
Just The Dandy Warhols.
We are road-testing legal highs.
This will be the, "We are so fucking bored
"with drugs and sex interviews" interview.
Love Dove - And this?
I'll take all of this stuff, but not before we play.
Our tour was running very smoothly
until a surprise visit by the French police.
Yeah.
"Courtney, your special box"(CHUCKLES)
"For where you smoke cocaine.
Your special box".
Cannabis Grass.
(EXHALES) Thought he was being real tricky.
Like I was gonna just fess up, you know.
(COURTNEY) My band got away with paying a fine
equivalent to four Dandy Warhols T-shirts,
and we kept the grass.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
We are a lucky band
and they are a not-lucky band.
Look what happens when they get pulled over by the police
in Georgia or wherever it was.
And look what happened when we got pulled over
by the police in France.
That's lucky, 'cause we could've had.
It could've all ended right there.
Not the band's career, but that tour.
You have Courtney's telephone number.
Tell Courtney to call me.
(ONDI) I think Courtney's in Europe.
Oh, really? Oh, yeah Playing, huh?
Fuck I wonder when I'm gonna hang out with that guy.
Probably never, huh?
He's... he hates us, anyways You know? I'm sure of it now.
Like, we'll never, ever play with those guys again, I bet.
- (JOEL) Who? - The Dandy Warhols.
Unless it's part of like some KROQ Christmas fucking thing
and he can't get out of it.
If you were gonna be on The Jerry Springer Show,
what would your topic be?
And who would they invite on to slap you?
What is it? Brian Jonestown Massacre?
Oh, "Stop stalking me".
Um, "Write songs about some... about your own fucking band".
They'd have that, that'd be the episode
and then they'd have The Brian Jonestown Massacre on.
# (MAN) And who is it Who's this guy #
They're this band They're great, and they're
they're really good friends of ours.
They're just kind of not very well-adjusted people.
- Mm-hmm. - They're not right in the head.
It's kind of sad to see them be so dysfunctional.
'Cause the potential - Mm-hmm.
They're like The Velvet Underground of the '90s
I regret the fact that I didn't know
how far gone Anton was in the beginning.
You know, Dutcher thinks it's negative
whenever I'm kind of down, you know,
like loaded or something.
But I try to explain to Dutcher, like, "Look".
He's like, "Could you get one of your friends, you know,
to be a guitar tech or do this T-shirt?"
I go "Look I don't have a, car I don't have any money."
I don't have any friends I'm in LA I stay in my house
I don't leave " You know?"
You know, I realize now that sort of
I walked into sort of a MASH unit,
you know, and I'm-I'm working in triage
I take all these bad feelings and then just
put it into music, you know
I let people interpret it how they will
I had to put as many pieces together
to keep it working as I could.
By December, I realized he was in no shape to make a record
I mean, he couldn't get it clone.
And then we had to enlist the help of Muddy.
Yeah Hi Um,
we need to rent a DA38 or a DA88
in the next, you know, five minutes.
(JOEL) Despite having some bread for the first time ever,
things were getting more and more desperate
and we had to resort to extreme humor to keep spirits high.
Fucking Oasis And we're gonna fucking take over the world.
(JOEL).as Anton got higher and higher.
(ONDI) You seem in high spirits.
- Me? - Feel good work's getting done?
I feel I-I seem high is what I seem (CHUCKLES)
In high spirits Yeah, exactly what you said I'm sorry
I know how to keep the fucking paparazzi at bay.
(JOEL) And he was arming Up.
Isn't that fucking.
- What? - Don't, man.
That's what I thought.
Phew That was close.
Oh, I tripped.
Oh, Joel, do I make you horny?
Okay, that's it.
I know it's a party back here, but I mean,
I have to ask you guys to go outside or go
because there's no way we can record.
You guys are just too loud.
Good God, man We had no idea we're recording.
We are recording.
(NINA) We got into the house.
It was a great setup.
All these hundreds of instruments
because that's the beauty of Anton.
He loves music.
He had every possible instrument you could think about.
He had it there and they were playing it,
but you walked into the house
and it just felt like death was everywhere.
It was just a smack house.
It was reeking of death,
and I thought that was the last time I would actually see them.
There's so much more shit that needs to be clone though.
(ONDI) Really, a lot?
Well, a lot of the music doesn't sound done to me.
(ADAM) You know, if it weren't for Matt,
this record would've never come out.
Anton wouldn't have been able to write any more songs.
I'm trying to make this good too, man.
Don't even do the intro.
Leave whatever's there, record the rest of the song
I'll punch it in if it's not right
I don't care Just, like, you don't have to...
Yeah, 'cause we got all sorts of time to do... fix punch-ins.
(STRUMS PSYCHEDELIC ROCK CHORD)
Wanna put the controller right here?
I don't understand what the problem is.
That's not where I wanna stick the controller.
Well Muddy then go home, so I can work.
Okay, I will - Thank you.
Anton fucking kicking Muddy out of the recording.
Fucking saying, "Muddy, well, maybe you should just leave,"
telling him to go.
Doing fucking dope again
when Michael Dutcher, our manager,
has told him that if he does it again,
he's gonna quit and not manage us anymore
Anton is making a decision for all of us that he wants to fail.
Alright, the name of our band is The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
- (CROWD CHEERING) - And, uh, thank you.
Um, the reason why we haven't been playing out is
we've been recording a new album.
It's called, um, Strung Out in Heaven
# She said I love you #
# And I know it can't be wrong #
# 'Cause I've waited for so long #
# I've waited for you #
Next!
I know it's Matt It's cool He's doing revenge.
Now you know why they don't let kids do dope.
They don't let kids drink
because fucking full-grown adults
can't even fucking deal with booze.
And some adults can't deal with reality.
Now you know why we don't have any friends.
(WOMAN 1) Play a love song!
- (WOMAN 2) Love each other. - (WOMAN 2) Yeah.
Find me some fucking friends that are worth loving
and I'll sing them a song.
Turn your fucking guitar down, asshole.
# Oh Lord, you know it ain't right #
(FEEDBACK WHINING)
(COURTNEY) This was Matt Hollywood's song.
He always sung it
# You know you hear me #
# And I paid my dues #
# But now I've seen the light #
# I'm gonna show it to you #
Matt doesn't want us to play anymore
because we do heroin.
So he doesn't wanna be on stage with people that do drugs.
For some reason, he's never clone drugs before.
So Matt's gonna be signing autographs
at this side of the stage
I didn't say that at all
I said I didn't wanna be on stage
with a junkie asshole like this guy.
But anyway - You are a moron, Anton.
(COURTNEY) This was Matt Hollywood's last show
with The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
- Well, I don't know about that. - Don't break up.
But righteous, brother.
Bombs away.
(ONDI) It's like seeing the dark dark side,
- You know? - Of what drugs do.
Well, it's 'cause, like, all those '60s bands got into drugs.
They got... They were famous first.
(MATT) There's just too much stress on my soul.
I just wanna be around some people that aren't hell-bent
on destroying themselves, you know?
Anton completely flipped out on me
last night and attacked me,
got a huge bump on my head
and a giant bite mark on my side.
(JOEL) That's a mean bite. But in all fairness,
Matt was wielding a knife
I just wanted to talk to you about that
and maybe, like, uh,
what the future of this band's situation
and contract is gonna be
I have as much right to anything that's in there,
but, like, there's someone that was strangling me
and banging my head against the ground
that's gonna do the same thing
if I go back there, you know?
(ONDI) What are you gonna do about Matt?
I don't do What is Matt gonna do about Matt?
I don't babysit fucking 26-year-old guys
for a living, right?
I make great records for a living
I don't babysit adult alcoholics
I said, "I wanna let you into my life",
have access to talk to me, to do one thing,
despite the fact you don't have any money,
despite the fact that all your friends are retarded
and you are considered insane,
despite the fact everybody says this is not the way it's done.
You can do whatever the fuck you want if you don't give up...
But there's a consequence to that, right?
People come and try and pull us off the fucking stage at shows.
People throw beer bottles at me and shit.
So there's like a downside to that stuff,
you know what I mean?
Like you could do any drug in the world,
but you might fuck your life up.
That's what this movie's gonna show if you don't fuck it up.
Well, I feel like I'm definitely leaving,
but I've said that before
I don't really know the person he is now
I would rather almost just think of him
as if he's dead or something
and, uh, miss him.
(ONDI) Who's in the band now?
Who fucking gives a shit? Who's... who is ever in the band?
Whoever I say is in the band.
It's my fucking band I invented it.
These guys quit and join as they feel like it.
And that doesn't matter
I would never manage another person like Anton again
because you can't have
the hardcore sit-down with him at times and say,
"You know, this is what's really happening in your life.
You know, the illusion that you wanna build
in your head is one thing,
but the reality is this"
I'm really tired 'cause I've been doing business
for 24 hours for fucking months
I still haven't been off work yet and you missed everything.
You don't even understand how big this is.
They're flying fucking photographers from New York
and making 'em do what I want.
You're gonna follow me to a location right now.
We're gonna go, we'll use your ID,
your California ID, right?
- You have one? - (ONDI) Mm-hmm.
And we're gonna go pawn one of my guitars, okay?
We're getting $300 to make this photo shoot happen
and have some scratch.
- Do you understand that? - (ONDI) Right.
So the movie gets better So let's go do that.
Invite everybody you know Say, "You wanna be"
in a Brian Jonestown Massacre two-page spread in Magnet
by a pro photographer?
You wanna be in pictures and record covers and shit?
You wanna, like, be there, like,
"a Coca-Cola commercial for all of history?"
I go, "Check this out Ready?" Are you ready for this?
- (ONDI) Mm-hmm. - Tell them to wear fucking white
and come when I call.
(INDISTINCT) with all the fruit
(LAUGHTER)
Watch out.
Berries and cherries - Anton.
(ANTON)? Do you need one of these Joel.
A scarf?
Yeah.
(ONDI) That guy who ran by with the white shirt on?
(MIRANDA) Yeah, yeah, he was walking his dog
and he just walked by all of us and he goes,
"Excuse me, are you guys members of a cult
or are you just shooting? A video".
And I'm like, "Um, that's a really good question, sir
I'm sorry that I can't answer it for you right now
I'm still figuring it out myself"
# I'm heading down to Arkansas #
# To bury my old ma and pa #
(ANTON VOCALIZING)
(MAN) Cool Have a break.
- (ONDI) You happy with it? - (JOEL LAUGHING)
Cool.
Well, I want it to be funny and rad and a curiosity
I don't want none of that pre-packaged bullshit
like the Dandys are getting pumped.
You know what I mean?
I wanna make it up as we go along.
- Do you know what I mean? - The Brian Jonestown Massacre
I don't need some guy that lives in... Which building is it?
Capitol?
I don't need some square in that round building
pre-packaging a fucking idea for me.
I got more ideas than that whole fucking
little office of theirs
Courtney is a troublemaker artist, I'm not.
Do you understand that?
Shot! Beautiful.
Hold on Beautiful That
(ROCK CHORD RESONATES)
(COURTNEY) Upon our return from Europe,
we began recording our next album,
Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia.
We recorded Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia.
Yeah - Above a parking garage.
Above a parking garage all the bums had urinated in
("GODLESS" PLAYING)
(PETER) Recording Thirteen Tales
was probably the best recording experience.
The level of creativity was really intense.
Every single clay, a lot got done.
And it was really inspiring That's the way I work the best.
(IMITATING DRUM BEAT)
? You ever clone that.
That's so sick.
(MAN)okay, here we go
("RIDE" PLAYING)
(ZIA) How did I get in, like, the coolest band on the planet,
like, my first try?
Like, I saved up a lot of good karma I think,
Like, when I pay for all the coke
and everyone smokes my cigarettes and.
"You know, I'm like," Okay, well, I'm getting paid back
by being in a really awesome band, you know?"
My good luck comes from other places
# So what do you do? #
# Oh, yeah, I wait tables too #
# No, I haven't heard your band #
# 'Cause you guys are pretty new. #
("BOHEMIAN LIKE YOU" PLAYING)
(COURTNEY) We released a psychedelic rock record
during the heyday of boy bands.
So, naturally, radio and our record label
disregarded us completely.
A year and a half later, a cell phone commercial
put "Bohemian Like You" into households all across Europe.
We went there and it was huge.
They are actually one of the biggest
and the most famous bands
- here in Greece - (COURTNEY) We heard.
Pieces of 12 different songs of ours on radio stations here.
# Baby, come on, yeah #
# If you have a hard time gettin' there #
# Maybe you're gone #
# But if you find, you find yourself #
# Forget yourself #
# Hey, hey, hey #
- (SONG ENDS) - (CROWD CHEERING)
I've seen them tonight and they are the best ever.
To the drummer: Fantastic harmonies!
Courtney, you've got the best fucking voice ever, man,
and it carries well You're fantastic.
(COURTNEY) After feeding our fan base across Europe,
we return to the UK
to headline a major festival run
with other highly successful acts.
("BOHEMIAN LIKE YOU" PLAYING)
# So, what do you do? #
# Oh, yeah, I wait tables too #
# No, I haven't heard your band #
# 'Cause you guys are pretty new #
# But if you dig on vegan food #
# Well, come over to my work #
# I'll have them cook you something #
# That you'll really love #
# 'Cause I like you #
# Yeah, I like you #
# And I'm feeling so bohemian like you #
# Yeah, I like you #
# And I feel, whoa, woo! #
The Dandy Warhols.
Dandy Warhols.
Ladies and gentlemen, The Dandy Warhols.
You guys sounded great - Oh.
Like, "I'm so glad I like them 'Cause they're such nice people.
What happens if I didn't like them?"
- Isn't that the worst? - Yeah.
It was great, though, man.
Thanks - Glad to hear you.
Was fuckin' great - Oh, thanks, bro.
Your guys' was good too I caught a couple songs.
Great set, great set, really enjoyed it.
(COURTNEY) We had hit another peak.
We were playing sold out shows and festivals
for 70,000 to 100,000 people
and we were loving it.
(MOODY AMBIENT MUSIC PLAYS)
I guess TVT wound up losing a lot of money
on The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
At the beginning, there was a lot of success.
We shipped 30,000 records.
We went number three at CMJ.
And then the sales didn't really come.
There were eight people on the road.
Um, they did, you know, 147 shows,
but I think people wound up going to the live show
to see if Anton was gonna punch his bass player
or if Anton was gonna walk out on the show
(COURTNEY) With disappointment at the label
and strife inside the band,
it seemed like the end of the line
for The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
The lineup that had put The Brian Jonestown Massacre
on the map dissolved in the coming days.
(PHONE RECEIVER DINGING WITH TAPS)
I can't come to the phone now because I don't have a life
and I just wasted four years on a total fucking waste of time.
(ANTON) That wasn't supposed to be the finale.
What a gyp.
(AUTOMATED VOICE) Message four
(JOEL WHISPERING) Are you under enemy lines right now?
(ANTON) Alright, you bunch of turds,
get your asses over here We're drinking
(INDISTINCT, OVERLAPPING VOICES)
(PHONE RINGS)
- Hello? - Hello?
Oh, this is gonna be so cool today.
Shit.
We're going in the studio Monday,
to record.
The first song is just gonna be on..
(INDISTINCT VOICE)
(PHONE RINGS)
(SCATTERED APPLAUSE)
So I'm in the middle of, uh,
working on my ninth album,
if you can believe that I'm the fucking world champion.
Fired or kicked half of the people
out of our band and the other half quit.
Seemed like a good idea at the... at the time,
but, uh, it turned out pretty good.
It's pretty rocking, pretty, uh, crazy.
- (MAN YELLS) Joel! - It should be pretty crazy
Joel? Joel wussed out.
He said, "I don't wanna be in a band with any drug-freaking,
fucking weirdos anymore".
- If you can imagine that. - (CROWD SHOUTING)
(JOEL) Imagine this.
I went into witness protection.
Just kidding.
Actually, I moved back
up to Northern California,
so I have no idea
how Anton convinced Jef to do this show.
# I close my eyes #
# And you're there with me #
# Your kiss I feel #
# Your face I see #
# It's not your touch, girl #
# That's driving me crazy #
# It's just those lonesome memories #
# Those memories, those memories #
(CROWD JEERING)
Oh, yeah, that's so cool.
You're gonna like sit there and hide,
hide in the darkness and throw fucking fruit at me.
Seriously No, don't hide in the back and throw fruit
when we're trying to play music Okay?
Come on up here in the light
where we can see your fucking cowardness,
where we can see your fucking shaking little hands.
Or, no, just stand back there.
Why don't you throw a fucking glass or something?
Do you got a gun? Why don't you shoot at us?
What are you fucking doing?
- I'll just fucking leave, man. - Play! Play! Play!
(CROWD JEERS)
(RESUMES PLAYING "THOSE MEMORIES")
Check it out, Jeff You threw clown my guitar.
You ain't getting
I'd like to see you get paid for that.
That's cool - You know what?
- Who cares? - I never got paid
for all the years that I got fucked in the ass by you.
So why the fuck am I gonna get paid now?
Whoo!
(MIC THUDS)
(INDISTINCT SHOUT)
I'd like to see me get paid too
(MIC THUDS)
(SCATTERED APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
And that's why I'm not playing with you.
Fuck you!
His whole band quit, like, the original lineup.
And then the second lineup that he had completely quit
Anton said"Hey listen, ,
will you just sit up there with me and play guitar?
Like I don't even care, if you know the songs.
Just sit there, even sit on stage
I'll play the whole show if you sit there...
Like, within 20 minutes of being back from rehab for two months,
he went and bought dope
and got dope from Sandy, I guess, and
and started doing it again.
And he's really sad over Tara,
his breakup with Tara.
He's just so devastated.
(SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING)
I love him I love him so much.
(TARA) Our relationship was pretty good for a while
expected responsibility for what I did wrong
in my personal life.
(TARA) Anton was funny.
Anton, have you ever had an affair?
I guess Yeah
I think it's time for you to resign.
Effective noon today,
I will no longer be Anton Newcombe
(TARA LAUGHS)
(TARA) He was (INDISTINCT) and loving.
Okay We
? What are you gonna do.
- Dream of you (INDISTINCT) - (LAUGHS)
Goodbye.
(TARA) We were really in love.
(TARA) Oh, my Anton!
(TARA LAUGHS)
I guess I really love the potential (SNIFFLES)
And, like, that it keeps, like, coming out like in glimpses.
Like it's a... He's a really beautiful person.
He has the potential of being a really beautiful person
(SNIFFLES)
And it's just really sad
because I think you're on this planet
for a certain amount of time to, like, really fulfill that.
And it's just such a disappointment
when there's too much blockage there
so that a person can't It's just very sad (SNIFFLES)
Anton just don't die,
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Please just don't, Like, what's the alternative?
You either get straight or you die.
Ugh.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(COURTNEY) Up in Portland,
we were wrapping up our fourth record,
Welcome to the Monkey House,
and turning our label's promotional budget
into a Dandy Warhols' version of Andy Warhol's Factor.
The idea of.. Of a community of artists
that are not being judged negatively
by what's weird or screwy about 'em, but being glorified.
(PETER) We took the video budget
and instead of building sets and having 'em torn clown,
we had sets built permanently.
And now we'll be able to rehearse
and have our own shows in that room.
That angle looks fucking great.
# Just remember me when #
# We used to be friends #
# A long time ago #
# We used to be friends #
It's controlled c(hA)s, really The stage show
I'm looking forward to seeing 'em on the new record.
It's different, which I like.
This is Nic Harcourt, your host for Morning Becomes Eclectic.
Up next, brand new music from The Dandy Warhols
("YOU WERE THE LAST HIGH" PLAYING)
(PETER) Always, by the time I'm ready for it to change
and to get bigger, it gets bigger,
and it hasn't stopped getting bigger yet.
# I am alone but adored #
# By a hundred thousand more #
(ZIA) We established so early on
that we're gonna be big for just being who we are
and that just saved us so much work, I think.
It's fun on tour,
it's fun in the studio,
it's fun at dinner, it's fun at the bar.
The secret is..
If it's good, it's fun, and if it
if it's bad, it's funny.
# But you were awake, and I should have stayed #
# But I wandered #
We don't wanna be a dysfunctional family.
We're responsible, much more responsible people.
You know, half the band's married
I don't know, we all have cars and we take our job seriously.
Dave Deresinski was amazed
that all of us managed to keep, um, what was it?
A job, a car, and a house Whereas his band
never could have all three.
They could have one, two, or two,
but never all three.
The Dandy Warhols are the greatest cartoon.
That's what I think it takes to be successful as a pop star.
I don't give a fuck what they do It's not for me.
He's not singing songs for me.
"Minnesoter"? You know?
You're, like, fucking, "Hot-diggity-dog",
all we wanna do is get o '?
Li... Go read my fucking lyrics, man He's a joke.
But Dandys Rule OK, you know? Hey, that's a great record.
(COURTNEY) They were absolutely our favorite band
and they were the most interesting
and amazing characters.
But it's basically like a pack of 14-year-old boys
from abusive, broken homes
set loose in the ghetto.
You know what I mean? That's what that felt like.
Like, let's go hang with them, but come on.
You know, these kids are all gonna end up in prison.
Last I heard, Anton had cleaned up,
put together a whole new lineup
and gone on an independent tour across America.
Though successful financially,
the tour was riddled with fights and anxiety
as Anton heard the news of the birth of his son.
The last show of the tour was in Los Angeles.
It's been a tough year Let me entertain you, okay?
Let me just do this 'cause I'm sick
I don't need to be here I don't have a record company
I am the record company Listen to my voice
I am not joking I am not for sale.
This is a gift for you.
You paid for it Enjoy it Don't piss in the fucking well
I have a son.
Listen, I wanna go meet my son
I'll take your money to my son and buy him something nice.
Let me entertain you.
- (MAN) Love you, man! - Thank you I love you too
(CROWD WHOOPING, CHEERING)
You may have seen her around town.
Her name is Sara, she's my sister.
She's gonna play a song for you now
Sara, come out here
(CROWD CHEERING, WHOOPING)
(SARA SINGING)? You were gone?
# I felt #
# I felt out of place #
# Go on. #
Just like how a shark has to keep moving
and if they stop, they'll die
I honestly don't know what would happen to him
if he were successful and he stopped having things to
really battle against
(CROWD CHEERING) - (WHISPERING)
(MAN SPEAKING)
Hey, you're gonna get your head kicked in.
Say it... Come up here and say it to my face right now.
Say it to my face I don't think that's funny
I'm not into incest or child molestation.
Come up here, be a man Don't hide back there.
(MAN) Fuck love Relax.
It's okay, baby It's okay - Come here.
Relax (GROANS)
(CROWD EXCLAIMS) That's gonna hurt.
Don't talk like that to ladies when they're entertaining you
I'll kick your fucking head in -(MAN) Oh, wow Yeah.
Come on back up here I'll hit you again Come on.
Holy shit He kicked me in the head.
Hey, I'm gonna beat your fucking ass.
Hey, bouncers, bounce this guy
or else I'm gonna kill him in your club.
Here he is Do you guys have him?
I'm stopping this show Good night.
(MAN ON RADIO) Restraining the lead singer.
He's on his way to you with three security guards.
Hold him He's not coming out here.
The police are coming to him.
- Anton! Anton. - We're going to the green room.
They're coming to you - That's fine.
- (INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER) - That's.
We're taking him back to the green room.
(ANTON) That's fine.
Have a seat.
They want me dead I'm not joking around, Ondi.
- (ONDI) You think so? - I know for a fact It's over
I've already won My son's here I got the door locked.
Today is a wonderful day to die.
Those guys will probably kill me.
Yes, sir - Hands behind your back,
palms together Face the wall.
- Careful with one thing. - You got it Go ahead, quick.
Okay, no, put your hands behind your back.
Palms together There you go.
If you want, we can double handcuff you.
Sorry I didn't ever get to see my son, but that's the breaks
I didn't do nothing.
Our watch commander's probably gonna advise
that we book him for, uh, ADW.
Assault with a deadly weapon.
- Anytime you use. - Anything besides your hands?
Yeah If you use your feet,
because of the power you can generate in your legs
when you kick somebody in the head.
I cannot get out
I'm in till Tuesday
and they're putting me with the bad guys.
Ondi, tell my son I love him I'm never gonna see him.
They're gonna kill me I'm telling you the truth.
(ANTON) Alright, so we weren't even gonna play tonight,
but everybody knows
that we're gonna fight the good fight
("NEVERTHELESS" BY THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE PLAYING)
# Three words you have spoken #
# Don't make me a fool #
He's like this brilliant monster creator of art
that, you know, generally is like three years ahead.
And I always think I'm catching up to him,
and then he comes up with something that I just go.
I can't believe what he just did.
He's just always ahead He's so amazing.
# Please play by the rules #
# If I knew my way out #
There's no way to have a revolution
if you stay underground.
What the fuck's the point of that?
The whole point was for him to get above ground as well.
And then he could have his revolution.
# Was it free for the taking? #
(ANTON) There has been a revolution.
Do you hear The White Stripes on the fucking radio?
There's a big difference
because when I started, it was Pearl Jam.
Obviously, the revolution happened.
How many people are imitating Pearl Jam right now?
Not-not that many.
How many imitators do I have?
I played a part in opening that up.
Why don't they tell people who influenced them?
They don't because they're self-serving fucking bastards.
Everyone that Anton's ever met has gone on to make great music.
Peter from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
used to be in Brian Jonestown Massacre,
they're signed to Virgin.
Miranda Lee Richards She signed to Virgin.
The Warlocks, there's the Beachwood Sparks,
and The Tide, and The Lilies,
which is all kind of part of Anton's scene And
he is exactly where he was before,
'cause Anton was never really interested
in having a professional career.
Um, he just wants to play rock and roll.
The fuckers, the bean-counters, the lawyers.
All these assholes at every label.
Those are the people that wreck the music business.
Not Napster, not some college kid downloading shit,
the people without vision.
The music's strong enough
that there probably will be a generation
that discovers them like this rare, fossilized gem.
And mine it for all it's worth
("NEVERTHELESS" CONTINUES)
(PETER) You know, they continue to make good records
and they continue to inspire us
even though they're not maybe at the same level.
And they'll they'll be remembered forever.
You know, their records will become collectors' items,
when.
And who knows, we might just be forgotten.
# What we understand #
(SONG FADES)
(JOEL) Alright, so let's catch you up.
It's 20 years later
I'm back in the band and we're playing massive festivals
like this one, La Route du Rock in France.
And we set out on our biggest tour ever,
two and a half months of dates all over the world.
However, the BJM lineup from the original DIG!
Never played together again.
Anton settled in Berlin,
has managed to stay relatively clean,
and after releasing another 19 albums,
landing the opening track to Boardwalk Empire,
and attracting a number of celebrity admirers.
Yes, he even made lamb for the late, great Anthony Bourdain.
It's safe to say he's firmly established himself
as the ornery elder statesman of psych rock.
Uh (ALL TOASTING)
(JOEL) Matt Hollywood sued Anton
for unpaid publishing royalties.
They settled for an undisclosed sum.
He now lives in Austin and is still making music.
Jeff Davies also sued Anton - Wow.
(JOEL) And from what I hear,
with the money from his settlement,
he bought his mother a house.
Whoo!
Dave Deresinski tour manages
and is helping Matt record his new album.
Despite being the only one to actually threaten to do it
in the original film
I'm gonna sue the fucking shit out of him.
(JOEL) he did not sue Why?
I was never in it for the money
I was in it for history.
(JOEL) As for the rest of the band,
Peter Hayes is living the rock dream
with the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
And last I heard from Dean, he'd gotten sober,
moved to South Carolina,
and had gotten his real estate license.
Oh, what about me? I wrote a book.
And as crazy as it may sound,
turns out I'm even better at writing
than playing the tambourine.
It's the one thing that has kept me sane
during the darkest times,
making sense of this crazy life
that's surely been a trip.
The Dandys are still doing their thing,
touring worldwide as well.
Here they are enjoying a sold-out show
in Sydney, Australia.
They've all got their side projects
and Zia's even become a successful realtor.
Will she and Dean team up or become rivals?
They're even still friends with former drummer Eric,
who actually filled in for Brent
during a few recent gigs.
How civil
I'd expect nothing less
from the most well-adjusted band in America.
We're the most well-adjusted band in America.
(JOEL) And sad to say,
we're still the most dysfunctional.
Put down my guitar Party's over, Captain Go!
(JOEL) This is what our trip Down Under looked like. Ouch
(REPORTER) The Brian Jonestown Massacre
just erupted into absolute c(hA)s.
(JOEL) Does this remind you of anything? Déjà vu!
It's the Viper Room debacle all over again,
but it's 27 years later and we're all over 50.
Some things never change.
This time it made international news
(CROWD SHOUTING, BOOING)
(JOEL) And our longest tour ever was canceled.
But perhaps the most amazing thing is,
that despite all the debauchery and violence,
we're all still alive.
Well, almost all of us.
Sweet Sophie passed away
after contracting an infection in the hospital
just ten days after giving birth
to her and George's baby boy.
# Now that you're not around #
But let me leave you on a positive note
and share a memory with you
that I still can't quite believe.
Before the tour ended tragically,
we played a gig with the Dandys
for the first time in ten years.
We reunited on stage, like the early days.
We let bygones be bygones
and returned to the love.
(CROWD CHEERING)
Dig!
("GODLESS" BY THE DANDY WARHOLS PLAYING)
# Hey, I said you're godless #
# And it seems like you're a soulless friend #
# As thoughtless as you were back then #
# I swear that you are godless #
# Hey, I guess you're lonely when #
# I gave you all it took so then #
# Stranger than it's ever been #
# I guess it's what you wanted #
# Oh wait, it seems #
# That lonely I will be #
# I beg, I plead #
# But this is all that I have gotten #
(SONG FADES)