In each of their larvae stages of the late 90’s, the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Dandy Warhols began on the same page, but eventually unfolded their careers into two separate stories. In the revealing documentary DIG!, San Francisco’s Brian Jonestown Massacre, led by the intense and talented Anton Newcombe is seen as ruthless and self destructive as any rock star this side of GG Allin. Meanwhile Portland, Oregon’s The Dandy Warhols exalts in the opposite, as a purely "functional family."
Narrated by Courtney Taylor of The Dandy Warhols, DIG! is graced with a Behind The Music exploitive feel. The film is gritty and revealing, and allows you to see what is involved make a band blossom when you aren’t blessed with a meteoric rise. For seven years director Ondi Timoner followed each band and caught some goldmine interviews, along with plenty of the all guts no glory side of the rock and roll lifestyle.
Both bands grew out of their taste for the spirited bohemian rock of the 60’s and translating it to modern extremes, but along with that came their nihilistic attitudes and all or nothing demeanor. Notoriously gifted, yet undeniably tortured, Newcombe is the clear star and his exploits are of pure mental illness mixed with heroin problems, and thick inner-band tension. As the film roles, it’s a wonder what will conclude first, Newcombe’s life or his band-mates so called roles in the Brian Jonestown Massacre.
While the Brian Jonestown Massacre were getting arrested in Georgia, The Dandy Warhols were slowly building momentum in Europe and eventually landing the hit – “Bohemian Like You.” Meanwhile, Newcombe was battling his inner demons, beating up band members both on stage and off. And while Newcombe is hailed as a prolific genius by his contemporaries, DIG! makes you question whether Newcombe was portrayed fairly in the movie, or is DIG! just another version of shock and awe to entice viewers. It’s probably a little of both, but the film is worthy enough to check out to make your own judgment.
