It’s been awhile since we heard some good shit talk from Brian Jonestown Massacre. With DiG on DVD, a retrospective in stores, and a new EP out this summer, frontman/headcase Anton Newcombe recently found time to deliver some bon mots in Entertainment Weekly…
“What I want to do is enter the popular lexicon. Like Jimi Hendrix. That’s my goal. Not to sell soap. Not to say, ‘Look like me, dress like me, sound like me.’ Not to get a supermodel girlfriend. None of that shit. I want people to come away from what I’m doing and look at it as a gift.”
Okay. But can you kick up the crazy a notch?
“People talk about Eric Clapton. What has he ever done except throw his baby off a fuckin’ ledge and write a song about it?”
Thatta boy.
 |
 |
%s1 / %s2
well, Clapton does suck. But the baby bit is, um, a little crude.
Yeah, Clapton may be pure cheese after 1978, but that’s just unnecessary.
statement of the century. well done newcombe
I saw DiG, and dear lord! If this Newcombe guy had his head any more up his own ass, he’d be inside out.
Dude, “not selling out” might make you a cult icon and everythnig, but it sure as hell don’t pay the rent.
The only genuine musical goodness Clapton ever had anything to do with was the Yardbird and Cream, and the guitar solo on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. Also that J.J. Cale song he covered. But a genius he is not. Hell, he’s barely even adequate, if you ask me. I mean Jack Bruce wrote the bulk of the Cream stuff.
i’m not as big on Clapton as most people i know, but the comment about his kid is beyond the realm of bad taste.
i was never that big on BJM either, but now i really don’t intend on checking them out any time soon.
if anyone was actually surprised to hear anton say something like this, you obviously haven’t been paying too much attention to this guy. (which is probably a good thing, but still…)
Back on the meth, methinks he is …
Who the fuck in Anton Newcombe?
Anton Newcombe is a genius songwriter. And apparently a classless one as well.
And apparently, he’s back on the meth.
No F#*kin Comment, Gummer you shouldn’t even joke like this!!!
man that comment about clapton’s baby is quite unnecessary
haha man that is so awesome, I’m gonna buy one of his CDs.
WWTND – What would Ted Nugent do…. shoot a flamming arrow up that meth monkeys ass!!
Oh wha wha wha..its crude and unnecessary…no it’s not. Stereogum was just posting what the guy said. Anton is fabulous, he is also one hell of a jackhole.
I leave you with this:
“and now, angry ticks fire out of my nipples” (www.bitterfilms.com)
for the people above me who are debating clapton’s skills — give me a break. that guy’s got more talent in his little finger than anyone who has the time to post on this board…
baby comment = attention-whore
did i just read the word gummer
Seriously, Clapton is and was and will be amazing. He might not be Arcade Fire, or other indie, hispter whatnot, but please give credit where it is due.
yeh, Eric Clapton may not be shitty, but give him a break becasue HE’S AN AMAZING FUCKING MUSICIAN. Godammit, people. How is anyone who doesn’t think Eic Clapton is talented allowed to speak their mind these days anyway? Jesus.
anton newcombe and vincent gallo should make a movie together
Somebody should throw Anton Newcombe off a ledge.
Gallo & Newcombe – that’s a combo that couldn’t be beat, delicious!
I emailed Newcombe a bit after Dig! came out and he seemed like a really nice guy. As his website says, he’s been off heroin for the past couple years. I’m not saying that the guy doesn’t have issues. What I’m saying is that he’s not the guy that he was during the filming of the movie.
Also, if you go to his website, it would appear that the Dig! folks took some liberties with the editing. I was actually quite surprised by it.
That’s an interesting take on the old Jimi/Clapton debate…
I’d go with the general feeling, not the exact sentiments.
what a fuckwit!
i can understand if clapton isnt eveyones cup of tea, but for fucks sake who is Aton Newcombe? (dont answer that- cos i really dont care who he is)
Although im quickly gathering he is an arrogant insensitive tool who bags big names in the hope to get some share of the spotlight, which he has obviously been lacking
(in fact it would be interesting to know the question that preceeded that response, cos i bet it had nothing to do with clapton at all, and his response was nothing short of a pre conceived stab in the back that he tried to throw in at any given chance)
very low indeed…
You can download all of the BJM albums free from their own site at
http://www.brianjonestownmassacre.com/mp3.php
clapton is cool and all, but if you have any respect for the music of that era, you will respect anton newcombe. he is quite possibly the last true rock’n'roll composer on earth. there is not a more true 60′s revivalist band than the brain jonestown massacre.
Apparently there’s another Jed on this thing. For the record, this Jed rejects the idea of either Eric Clapton OR Anton Newcombe being a genius.
Anyway, back on Clapton- no one has ever been able to convince exactly WHY he is any better than any of the other thousands of technically skilled blues-rock guitarists in the world. Seriously. I don’t hear it. And as a songwriter, it seems to me he’s pretty weak. So why is he so amazing? Because people haven’t heard enough guitar players?
by god i love that man.
ok, seriously… why are people enamored of Anton and BJM? they play mediocre indie rock and fight amongst themselves. wow, no one else out there is doing that…
i’m with second jed. he’s no doubt talented, but outside of a couple of songs everything he has written has been bland bland bland. his biggest hit in years has been him cashing in on his kids death. and like someone else said, he didn’t even write much of the cream material. go to any guitar center and you can find a dozen jackoffs who can play just as well as him sitting behind the counter.
and yes, anton, is an attention whore. always has been. this is not news. he’s our version of those oasis dudes.
Clapton and McCartney should have an American Idol style face off type of show and have it be who has the worst and the chessiest solo material. Both Clapton and McCartney have been cheesing up the masses for the last 25 years.
With all that being said not cool to make a nasty comment about someone’s baby.
clapton is lame. the kind of music that paunchy dudes in cargo shorts listen to on the way to the golf course.
as far as babies falling off ledges, that’s sad. but is it at all surprising or outrageous that the comment was made, certainly not. I always thought that the manner in which the whole thing was marketed was gross.
and cream, though full of awesome jack brucery, is toally all about ginger “pukebucket” baker.
He’s gonna enter the lexicon as a never-been asshole. His band sucks, this guy gets way too much attention. If he was a girl he would be Paris Hilton.
Obviousy none of you Clapton bashing fucks have listened to “From the Cradle.” Get a fucking clue. Sure, the top 40 shit is bland as fuck, but if you dig a little deeper, download a few albums, i’m sure you’ll find something worthwhile.
I have to say I enjoyed Anton’s comment…totally inappropriate, but that’s why it’s funny.
I’d rather listen to BJM than Clapton, but I realize I’m in the minority there. I’m not going to try to tell Clapton fans they shouldn’t like him.
This is the second Jed. I maintain my position that Clapton is, in fact, the very definition of the overrated pop star, even more so than Elton John, who at least wrote “Benny And The Jets”, which is only good because of all that slapback delay all over the mix anyway.
As for Paul McCartney, there’s no comparision between him and Clapton. Sir Paul has at least 2 or 3 great solo albums, albeit all of them were 1975 and prior. Beyond that, he’s a conceptual genius, has a beautiful voice, is probably the greatest bass player in pop music history, and is an incredible multistrumentalist to boot, on par with Stevie Wonder and Prince. So yeah, no contest there.
Most of Clapton’s body of work just doesn’t do it for me, as technically sound as he is. But take a listen to Roger Waters’ “The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking” some time. IMO it’s absolutely the best guitar work that came out of Clapton in the 80′s.
Second jed (at 2:36), I could not agree with you more.
This is truly boring stuff.
“ladies and gentalmen,weasles and cackleing old gosip
hens.i know you are having a field day with this but
may i remind you of a few facts:i was there,and i know
what was said.i had two people with me.this is being
delt with and,really doesn’t concern any of you.we all
have heard how the tall blade of grass gets mowed
since childhood,well then all of you should be able to
spot this one a mile away and of
anyone,anywhere,should understand.i have a child and
am no stranger to being hurt.i find it hard to believe
that e/w flew all of the way out to california to help
insult e/c.i’m very sorry this ever happend with these
people,but as i has said,it is being delt with.
i am also sorry for any pain this may have caused
anyone,but for those of you that laugh at others
misfortune.shame on your names.
best wishes,
anton alfred newcombe “
Need we say more?
I’m starting to feel like I am reading ” the national enquirer” on the checkout line. Next up, ” Anton and Eric Clapton mud wrestle it out”
jeez! get a life.
Anton’s music is amazing. People are always judging the guy on everything but his music. Too bad. I just wanted to add that I get an creepy feeling from EC and wouldn’t trust him around my kids. I think he has done a HUGE disservice to music and for that I don’t care what people say about him. I know people that have been around him and he is WAY more volitile than Anton you just don’t hear about it becase he has PR people protecting him and their own interests. Besides George Bush or something I can’t think of a single person that creeps me out more. I mean people (a lot of people) think he is a good blues player and that is just sad. I always suspected he wrote that god awful song before his son “fell.”
anton newcombe’s creative spelling always makes me chuckle.
I have met Anton, and he really is a helll of a nice guy. In fact, I tried to get him to smoke a bowl(bud) with me and he vehemently declined the offer. So he was certainly clean a few months ago. I am a huge fan of BJM, and Anton. The fact of the matter is that Clapton did have a huge hit with that song about the death of his son. His biggest hits have either been written by someone else or cover songs. (i know there are one in the same, but you get the idea.) Is the guy a good musician…well let’s just say he has time on the job. the rock and roll movement was not as pronounced in 1965. If Clapton hadn’t done what he did someone else would have. 40 years later Anton and BJM are hammering out song after song, album after album of really good stuff. If you are unfamiliar with them you should check it out. Anton is a good guy and BJM is probably my favorite current band. It should also be noted that I have upwards of 1500 cds and 1000 lps, so I know my music…and yes I have cream albums but I do not have chronicles or from the cradle or any of that 3 bar blues bullshit. I fucking hate that shit. I mean how many times can you hear that crap. Go anywhere in any “blues district” in any town in America and you can hear that shit all night. Clapton did not invent the blues in 1999. I still do not have an XXL BJM shirt. Anton, you were gonna take care of this remember?
after perusing the BJM site, I kinda feel like maybe Anton’s made mistakes in the past but is essentially a decent dude. I don’t know. I got a pretty benevolent feeling from the site. But the movie certainly didn’t flatter him. I suppose that’s why he’s pissed about it. What it also did, though, was make the Dandys look like a bunch of flakey West Coast dimwits.
If the original statement was disgusting enough some of these comments are truly sickening. To Matt specifically, you should be ashamed of yourself. I don’t care what your opinion is of Clapton the musician but the personal things you said are just horrible and totally untrue. I don’t usually respond to crap like this, but you’ve personally attacked the character of a really good, decent and honorable man. And all because some jerk made a stupid comment about the tragic death of a little child. Shame on all of you.
I am ashamed. Really. I knew I would be but couldn’t stop myself. And I suppose I shuld keep my mouth shut – I just creep out sooo bad on EC but you are right I should keep my opinions to myself. I never have a harsh word for anybody but I saw Anton’s comments and I reacted because I have always felt that. I am not comfortable feeling that. I don’t know why I have always felt that. But I saw someone else that voiced their opinion about it and I felt I was not alone with my GUT feelings. But you are right he was never arrested or investigated. I should just let go… I certainly don’t like thinking about it. You obviously don’t see the malicious way in which he STOLE the music from an already oppressed people and made tons of cash off it. You don’t think what he does is criminal and I do. Becaause of his success at RE-BRANDING THE BLUES most people don’t even know the power of the blues. Kids think of ERiC Clapton when they think of the blues. THAT IS SO FUCKING SAD. I am sorry I bummed you out Liz. Next time I see EC making poopy face (oh I am feeling these blues so much) I try to suspend the gut feelings I have about the guy. Pardon me for thinking out loud.
Your gut feeling is failing you once again Matt. You’re picking on the wrong guy. Clapton didn’t steal anyone’s music and has always been the first to point people in the direction of his blues heroes. He has always been diligent in seeing that the original blues greats get the credit and the royalties they deserve. During the famous Howlin’ Wolf sessions he threatened to walk out unless Wolf’s guitarist Hubert Sumlin was included in the sessions. An album like From the Cradle generates millions in publishing and composing royalties to the authors of the songs or their estates. Still not sure where this gut feeling, creeps you out thing somes from. You obviously don’t like Clapton and that’s your right, but I have never heard anything even remotely creepy about him.
just plain mean
OH wow, this has been the most entertaining thread ever, dudes! I’m glad that a lot of other people see through Anton’s shtick. He is an Iggy-quality frontman but not a great songwriter. That was the weak link for me throughout DIG! The “Anton-is-a-genius” thing felt like a case of emperor’s new clothes. “What are they talking about? These songs are boring.” I think DIG! is brilliant doc about a not-so-brilliant musician. I know Ondi & her husband and brother. It is total bullshit about them “taking liberties in the editing booth.” Before the film came out and Anton realized it’s the best thing that ever happened to him, he threatened to sue them for using his songs without permission.
As for Clapton: whoever said it above was right: EC=guitar nerd-geek with shitty voice, did his best work in Yardbirds. Though the technically challenged Jimmy Page still beats him in terms of soul and feeling and sloppy as he may play, he has great ideas…Fuck guitar techy nerdiness…I’ll take Keith Richards and James Williamson from the Stooges any day over these so-called “guitar gods.”
nope guess again.
if you all have any guts/sense…bring it on.
antonnewcome@yahoo.com
“what have you ever done except jack off behiend your pc?”
thought so.
i was there,i know what was said.
you think i care about this peanut gallery?
lick my ass…
it will not infact lick itself.
you gossip about all of this?
what about our country.
think,
or don’t…
the brave and true will still deffend you..,
shame on your cold sores.
all others’
best wishes,
anton alfred newcombe
Wow, I never realized being a Clapton fan would make me punk rock. Do you Clapton bashers actually like music, or is it all about the correct indie haircut, girl pants, and faux working class chic?
Clapton has put out a lot of embarassingly bad elevator worthy music, but he’s also put out some hight quality, beatiful stuff. He’s got an excellent ear, great tone on his instrument, and great taste. So he’s not a great songwriter…here’s a shocker for you, most musicians down through history haven’t been good songwriters.
I guess I’ll go put on my cargo pants and learn to play golf…I never was cut out for hanging out with the cool kids.
gerrard, i’m with you man. i guess i’m not cool enough. oh yeh, and, um, i dont care how many CDs you have. johnpaul, but i’d love to know where you got that ’3-bar-blues’ idea from … there’s 8-bar blues … i’ve even heard 16-bar blues … but on my planet, clapton specializes in what they call it ’12-bar’ blues. but i dont have 1500 CDs, so i could be wrong …
I love hearing non-musicians offering analysis about established musicians such as Clapton. Which of you can even touch his musicianship? How come we aren’t reading about you guys instead of him? How many of you could sustain a productive 40+ year career in the recording industry? No one qualifies to be critical of Clapton’s music unless they can outplay him. Try doing that rather than running your mouths. I could use a good laugh.
oh man this is soooooo high school.
newcombe, clapton both ex heroin addicts, both talented musicians trying to do their thing.
one seems to want lots of money and fame and the other seems to want to connect with people interested in connecting and to be irreverant towards all the machinery behind the business side of the music business.
maybe they are both full of shit maybe they are both super sincere and nice, who gives a fuck?
do you enjoy the music, does it make you feel?
that’s all it need be about, not a fucking pissing contest trying to quantify the unquantifiable. art is subjective, you like it you don’t, and if you have ever dealt with press then you know how often they misquote, it’s disgusting!
don’t fall for it, it really is difficult to believe but so much press is completely fabricated or taken out of context for manipulative purposes, but if you believe it than you must me in the multitudes listening to ‘classic rock’ and putting magnetic cock ribbons on your 8 cylinder SUV, saying ‘support the troops’ instead of standing along-side of them, so you can put the pedal to the metal in your 8 cylinder freedom-mobile, and read shit like entertainment weekly, woohoo!
Who says we are non-musicians, DCember? By the way, this line you posted is a freakin’ classic of dumbkopfness?”No one qualifies to be critical (SIC) of Clapton’s music unless they can outplay him.” As in, let’s see who can shred thru The Flight of the Bumblebee faster??
I said it above, I say it again: I find this thread insanely entertaining!
Anton Nuke’Em: I will e-mail you soon, sweetheart. You are no genius but you sure are hot as hell!!
Sorry, I take it back. You only talk like a non-musician. And your ‘as in’ example suggests that you completely miss the point.
Although I can’t play blues guitar (and don’t want to) as well as Mr. Clapton, I would bet a lot of money that I’m twice the musician he is, and that goes for a lot of people I know. There’s no known evidence that he has a great ear, he can’t play a variety of instruments (not a requirement, of course), he probably doesn’t or didn’t know much in the way of theory, and frankly he’s not terribly inventive or able to synthesize different ideas together. How is he such a great musician? Have you ever met any jazz musicians? The average jazz musician has to be at least 10 times as musical as the average rocker in order to even be an average jazz musician. I am not impressed by dudes who can “play the guitar good”. That’s meaningless.
I just finished watching the film, “DIG” and wow what a waste of time. Entertaining, but no value. Although I will admit the tidbits (incomplete usually due to a fight breaking out) of BJM’s music did blow out the Dandy’s music, by a long shot. As for this conversation turning to EC’s musical talent, forget about it. Clapton was amazing with bands(yardbirds,cream,blind faith,derek and the dominoes), collaborations(beatles,need I say more?), and currently as a solo artist. Anybody downplaying his guitar skills obviously doesn’t play guitar and should send an apology to “slowhand” !!!
:
apton or anton aside, the facts are the facts.
just because Anton didn’t smoke WEED with some dude doesn’t mean he doesn’t do drugs. that isn’t his drug of choice. try everything BUT!
As for the disgusting comment he made about Clapton, he has a lot of nerve saying anything when he himself doesn’t even have a relationship with his child or pay any child support.
jt:’he’s our version of those oasis dudes’
Hey, don’t insult Anton! The oasis dudes are akin to the missing link: their eyebrows meet in the middle and all that singer ever does is grunt and shuffle from feet to feet,he’s barely articute.
At least Anton’s got brains.
articulate, godamn.
shame on your crack pipe
To all you out there – remember the old adage – those that can, do. Those that can’t criticise.
Eric Clapton is irrelevant. He should be happy to be mentioned in the same conversation as the brilliant Anton. If Anton said he didn’t say it then take him at his word. Why don’t some of these greedy, boring rock and roll fossils retire and leave the art to people with creative balls.
honestly i think most of yall are criticising Anton and don’t know his capability of creating music…. your not inside his head and don’t know whats going on in there….and having a very high expectation of music….i see a very excellent musician not to say clapton isn’t either but he’s just another great one.
Anton’s comment on ECs baby was a little harsh, but Anton is a genius tunesmith(check out the Brian Jonestown Massacres entire catalog from Methodrone to We Are the Radio). And as far as the retards posting comments about him being a meth addict obviously dont know shit from shinola..the guy was strung out on heroin..usually poor white trash are meth addicts…Anton, thanks for the music and we will see you at the Grog Shop..also everyone should check out the Warlocks, they are super.
yours cruely
B-Rob
p.s Keep Music Evil…
if you base your impression of Anton on dig, you are nutz. he is a very lovely, sweet man who creates a lot and just wants to get it out there for people. he wants us to open our eyes to the mediocrity out there and buck it. unfortunately, we are so screwed up in this country, we measure success in money and fame. so stupid. i find myself quite successful at LIFE. i am not rich, but i have lots of love and fun. i’ve had lots in my life and most of the time, the more i had, the worse off i was. all we need is enough $$ to live, music and love.
“a lovely, sweet man”??? yikes. I guess you don’t know him personally.
Clapton IS God!
well, actually not too personally, but we did talk for like 2 hours about things and i did find him sweet and lovely. maybe it’s because i am a girl and i found him captivating. mind you i am not a groupie and don’t usually do those kinds of things.
Clapton is death. The most vile, unforgivable, trash in popular music history was spewed by this heinous waste of carbon. Long live the Brian Jonestown Massacre.
Listen to Clapton’s music or don’t, but to say that he threw his baby off a ledge is not only cruel, but it is totally untrue. When one realizes the context of that song, it is hard not to cry when you hear it. You need to learn a little about compassion (and get your facts straight, t00).
well, my dear, if you DID know him, you would understand that he can be charming, especially with the ladies but most of the time he berrates everyone around him and is violent. He rescently punched a girl we all know. the incidents are countless. I can’t recount all of them here. What nauseates me, is that Anton constantly does horriible things to people and treats them like shit and those same people take it and come back for more. Then people that don’t know him or have met him briefly, think he’s fantastic! it’s so sad. I don’t know if you people are aware that he has chosen not to have a relationship with his son. He doesn’t help out the mother. Most people that know him, know this. Of course he tries to tell everyone that he isn’t allowed to see him. Bullshit. If everyone here was just saying, “wow, great music!” I wouldn’t have a thing to say. But when people start talking about how fucking great the guy is, it makes me a little sick. His comment about Clapton’s baby made me sick.
Eric Clapton < Anton Alfred Newcombe
…and its not even close
Isn’t it common knowledge that Anton is mentally ill? That doesn’t excuse his behavior or comments, but it is a big part of the reason why he is so abusive. Schizo affective, seems to me.
All right, Eric Clapton is the greatest guitarist out there right now, since Hendrix died. Layla, Crossroads, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, White Room, Tales of Brave Ulysses, Prescence of the Lord, Those Were the Days; the guys fucking awesome.
To have the nerve to say the man isn’t a talented musician, just go hang yourself now, you have no taste. 461 Ocean Boulavard; one of the greatest Rock albums. From the Cradle; one of the greatest Blues albums, etcetera.
And his comment of Clapton’s baby was pretty crude, fucking wanker.
hahahah, that comment about Clapton is one of the funniest things I’ve ever read.
bj massacre is masturbatory and unimportant, and anton newcombe is an egomaniac who can’t take criticism.
Um, Roy? Just about every song you listed predates Jimi’s death, is by Cream, and isn’t sung or written by Clapton; and Layla is nothing without Duane Allman. The guy *was* great, but what’s he doing to make him “the greatest guitarist out there right now”?
Everybody I know knows who Clapton is. Nobody I know ever heard of Anton fucking Newcombe. After 10 seconds on his blog, anyone will see what a stroke victim he is. I hope he dies in a fire.
i think anton is completely on target on most things
and i think this is one of those things
the guy’s a genius, however a little politically incorrect
i find it refreshing that someone has the balls to tell the damn truth for once
Christ, who gives a fuck? Anton writes good music, Clapton is an overrated guitarist. Everone here needs to get over themselves. Maybe Anton said it, maybe he didn’t. It’s not the worst thing that’s ever been said in celebrity feuds. Jesus.
One again…..”Anton who”?
I thought Antons best musical/art/rantings came from 1986-1987 in his old band electric cool aide
back then he was simply known to us as frida kahlo…
;0
fuck all of you who think clapton sucks, if you dont like clapton you dont like classic rock, fuck you asshole’s, particularly you jed and robb.
This is the second time I’ve read something where Anton talks about someone wiping his ass for him. The guy’s a fuckin waste ‘a space. Please OD soon, ok Anton?
You can’t be 56452 serious?!?
You can’t be 56452 serious?!?
Anton is better than you. He acts accordingly, therefore shut the fuck up ya right wing clapton ass lickin wastes of sperm. buh bye
i have actually made this same statement.
tears in heaven is a shit song. laughable.
one would think that inventing hard rock would gain someone a little respect. but no, we must make asses of our selves and make fun of dead children. ppl clapton helped define electric guitar as we know it today. thousands owe there careers to that man and by dissing him you make urself sound like a moron
Hey daddy,
What have you ever done except not be able to see me again and act in a fucking rockumentary?
Anton we salute you. Glad to see you tell it like it is. Eric Clapton is a waste of vinyl and a waste of spunk
Anton sold his ass to get “famous”, so did Eric (with more dignity). Same story.
So stop your craps, I’m getting bored.
PS: yes, there is a difference: give a guitar to Alfred and one to Eric, you’ll notice the difference. Thanks Eric. Alfred, I respect you but your contempt and the image of bad guy you hardly try to convey puzzle me.
By the way, by criticizing E. Clapton (whose music I don’t like that much), you criticized to many other musicians who are much more talented than you, Alfred Newshit.
By the way, by criticizing E. Clapton (whose music I don’t like that much), you criticized to many other musicians who are much more talented than you, Alfred Newshit.
Get over this 13 year old fixation with “guitar gods” and who is the best musician. Was punk for nothing? Technical ability means shit all, its all about the songs. Anton is the real deal, listen to any of the 12 odd hours of music he’s given away (particularly “…satanic majesties…”)and tell me I’m wrong. Actually dont, I dont even fucking care.
ohfivokipo mivaoe