This fascinating rock documentary chronicles seven years in the careers and lives of two indie bands – The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. We watch as the Dandy Warhols move toward relative success in the U.S. and Europe while The Brian Jonestown Massacre self-destructs.
The main focus of the film is on The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s lead singer and songwriter Anton Newcombe. Dandy Warhols’ lead singer and songwriter Courtney Taylor-Taylor says many times throughout the film that Newcombe is a genius and revolutionary. However, others, especially band members Joel Gion and Matt Hollywood, would feel he is a mad genius.
Newcombe, probably fueled by his drug abuse, is an egomaniac who often throws tirades onstage or starts fights with audience and band members. As the Dandy Warhols gain more success with a record contract, music videos and tours, the friendship between the two bands breaks up.
The fly on the wall approach to the documentary lets the audience watch, observe and make judgments on their own. What struck me is how Newcombe’s closest friend in The Dandy Warhols – Taylor-Taylor – is the kindest in describing Newcombe throughout the film even when Newcombe begins to stalk them and write nasty songs about them. Another thing that struck me was the inevitability of Newcombe sabotaging his band’s big shows. For all his talk of being a music revolutionary, it seems that real success or the fear that real success will lead to him not being called a genius anymore makes Newcombe consciously want to kill any big record deal. This allows him to retain his deity status in his own mind.
This documentary is a fascinating look at how ego and fear can ultimately undermine any talented person’s success. You don’t even have to have heard of these two bands to completely enjoy this film.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
