Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog

Archives RSS

  |  

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Music

Brian Jonestown Massacre Kicks Each Other's Asses; the Roots Kicks Ass

Posted by Joe Tone on Tue, Sep 25, 2007 at 1:57 PM

krs%20one.gif
Guess who made a surprise appearance at House of Blues Monday?
The two musical acts that descended upon Cleveland on Sunday and Monday nights proved, as if it was ever in question, that hip-hop is better than emo. On Sunday, the Brian Jonestown Massacre somehow managed to make its Grog Shop audience both furious and sleepy, with its droopy sound and the antics of its uber-arrogant frontman, Anton Newcombe. The band was featured, along with the Dandy Warhols, in the 2004 documentary Dig!, which was basically two hours of footage of Newcombe brawling on-stage with band -- and audience -- members. It included one episode where Newcombe kicked an audience member in the head from stage. The audience member, still standing and actually appearing rather refreshed, said, “Wow! He really just kicked me in the head!” as Newcombe was hauled off in handcuffs. People that keep track of such things have reported that Newcombe has cleaned up, stopped being such an asshole, and ceased fighting on stage. I suggest that, in fact, Newcombe has simply replaced all of BJM’s bandmembers with the most docile, submissive creatures to ever blow a per diem on heroin and size-zero woman’s jeans. “Frankie, every time I look over, you’re half fucking asleep,” Anton said to guitarist Frankie Emerson, who he berated all night. “I don’t pay you to get high and stand there.” Emerson, who, like all self-respecting emo rockers, flops his long hair so that it conceals his face and makes him look like McDonald’s Grimace, simply nodded and sulkily strummed his instrument. Audience members, obviously aware of Newcombe’s reputation and attempting to bait him, were booted after the slightest jeer by well-prepped bouncers. One drunk guy did manage to get kicked out six times and sneak back in to yell, “Has-been!” at Newcombe every time. Brilliant. Contrast this sad-sack festival with the love-in that rocked the House of Blues last night. Whatever the Roots, hip-hop’s greatest jam band, are getting paid for their live shows, it's not enough. Backed by the funkiest sloth in music, drummer ?uestlove, a puffy-cheeked tuba player named Tuba Gooding Jr., and the rest of the band, Black Thought and Skillz did spot-on renditions of a few of rap’s seminal hits, from Illmatic-vintage Nas to the Wu Tang Clan to Special Ed. It only went older-school from there, with appearances from MC Lyte and, later,Big Daddy Kane, who once again proved that when you’re dealing with a man this slick, you can throw out every other verb and just use the word “smooth” instead. (Kane smooths cereal for breakfast; Kane smoothed the shit out of that ball!, etc.) The 39-year-old lothario, who came dressed like he’s been in Cabos San Lucas for the last 15 years, in aviator shades and a silk shirt, upstaged his own backup dancer, hurtling his 6’3” frame around the stage and forcing the crowd — white people included — to join him in doing that 80’s staple move, “The Snake." Then came the special guest, a concept that in itself makes hip-hop better than rock. (You ever go to a Pantera concert and have AC/DC show up to do a few songs?) Toward the end of the show KRS-One bounded onto the stage like a Labrador. Having shuttled straight to H.O.B. from a speech at the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, KRS was so giddy to be with the present company, he had trouble calming himself enough to perform. Throughout the show, everybody — the crowd, and all the rappers so overjoyed to see each other — congratulated everybody else for being there and being swell. Would you rather attend this show, where you left amazed at natural human energy, or the BJM show, where you left disappointed that some guy you just paid didn’t kick you in the face?* -- Gus Garcia-Roberts *If you answered, “None of the above; I’d rather listen to hard-core mariachi death rock,” you should consider becoming a music critic.
Share

Comments (10)

Showing 1-10 of 10

Add a comment

BJM an emo band? what?

report   
Posted by RMike on 09/26/2007 at 5:47 PM

ha. i dont know who that rock band is but i was at the roots show and this made me laugh...

report   
Posted by Tom on 09/26/2007 at 10:34 PM

Nice Rock Journalism. You don't even know what genre the BJM is. Emo? Was this written by my mom? Mom?

report   
Posted by tsk on 09/28/2007 at 9:48 AM

Hmm.... "droopy"...Im not sure what that means. Heres a lesson for you, pal. Dont review bands that you dont like. Your agenda and review fits everything that most uninformed reviewers write about this band. "wow..he kicked me in the head" yes, we have seen the movie too.... "emo".... do you have any idea of what "emo" is? you obviously dont, because to classify the bjm as "emo" is completely uninformed. Is Elton John "emo"? how about Elvis Pressley??/ Nothing is more annoying and illogical then someone speaking with a tone of authority and being so completely off base and dopey. your review is "droopy"....and half-assed.

report   
Posted by matt celebrezze on 09/28/2007 at 10:59 AM

Mr. Garcia-Roberts: I am concerned with your journalistic style and ethics. The key to the use of effective sarcasm is to exaggerate your point in effort to challenge the ideas of the intended audience. Sarcasm is effective when the writer approaches the subject from a position of authority and experience. Use of wit and sarcasm may be more effective when supported with substance. Your review is devoid of any discussion of the actual performance. Nary a word was employed to describe the elements of the music! Songs? Musicianship? Surely these are objects of a music review. The off-handed accusation of heroin use is not funny nor accurate. While Sunday's performance may have been less -than brilliant, I recommend that any future review bare the signature of muscial authority and journalistic competence. A music review should have command of the genre and cannon of the subject. After over 15 years, the Brian Jonestown Massacre have released nine full-length lp's, several ep's, a greatest hits collection, countless singles, contributions to compilations, a BBC/John Peel recording, and several world-wide tours. Clearly the provocative behavior of Anton Newcombe invites ridicule. Isn't that a bit too easy? C'mon. Dig deeper. Check your facts. Provide some substance. The lack of style, substance, and ethics demonstrated in this amateur review questions the longevity of your journalistic career. John J. Callahan

report   
Posted by John Callahan on 10/01/2007 at 8:08 PM

HOLY SHIT DID YOU SAY EMO????? I CANT EVEN BELIEVE YOU SAID THAT!! DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT EMO IS???? Sounds like some kids with tight pants just took their aviator glasses off long enough to cry a damn river.

report   
Posted by Clinefeld on 10/07/2007 at 10:15 PM

This is pretty funny... any other BJM members care to respond to this blog?

report   
Posted by Gypsy on 10/13/2007 at 6:11 PM

The author has no clue what he's writing about...that's why he's still pounding the beat in the Mistake by the Lake.

report   
Posted by doc on 10/13/2007 at 6:55 PM

If you've ever listened to the BJM, you'll know that their music is neither "sleepy", nor "droopy" as you describe it. However you interpret the moods it evokes, it certainly cannot be described as emo. It's true that Newcombe can be a difficult character at times but if you had ever listened to his music you'd know he was a genius.

report   
Posted by Luke Sacafe on 10/23/2007 at 1:31 PM

you idiot. you have no idea what you are saying your an idiot. you have bad taste in music - go sit in a bin and think about what you have said.

report   
Posted by I on 07/17/2008 at 11:10 AM
Subscribe to this thread:
By Email
With RSS
Showing 1-10 of 10

Add a comment

Most Commented On

Most Shared Stories

Top Viewed Stories

Top Commenters

Site Search

Facebook Activity

© 2012 Cleveland Scene: 1468 West Ninth Street, Suite 805, Cleveland, OH 44113, (216) 241-7550
Logos and trademarks on this site are property of their respective owners.


Website powered by Foundation