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The documentary "DiG!" (Dandy Warhols/Brian Jonestown Massacre) Just wondering if anyone's seen the documentary "DiG!", about the weird feud between the Dandy Warhols and Brian Jonestown Massacre. I didn't know much about either band before I watched it, and even though the movie didn't really make me a fan of either band, I can't stop thinking about what I saw. The film is more tragic and frustrating and weird than anything that could be scripted, but at the same time, it's such a classic story that it's hard to believe it wasn't scripted: two bands that are mutually supportive of each other start out as nobodys - one band gets its act together and gets some success, the other band self-destructs and becomes bitter toward the other band.
I think there was an element of romance gone sour happening in that film, too...I definitely got more than a little bit of a Velvet Goldmine vibe from watching Anton and Courtney in the early days...but maybe it's just because they were both fey and pretty. 
Anyone see this? If not, and if ya like the rock'n'roll that the kids are so wild about these days, then you should rent this flick.  | |
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I read a review of this in Blender awhile back. Went to the vid. store but they didnt have it. Im not familiar w/either band, but it sounds like an interesting movie. This should cure my "reality fix", eh? Hey, theres something to be said for tradgedy.  | |
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Been hearing a lot about this. Sounds disturbing. Which means I'd probably really like it. | |
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GangstaFam said: Been hearing a lot about this. Sounds disturbing. Which means I'd probably really like it.
oh, i think you especially would really enjoy it. | |
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Anxiety said: oh, i think you especially would really enjoy it.
Where'd you see it? | |
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GangstaFam said: Anxiety said: oh, i think you especially would really enjoy it.
Where'd you see it? rented it from the netflixes. i've only seen the first disc - there's a second bonus disc full of supplemental crap. i like how they formatted the film for DVD - you can click on an icon on screen to watch deleted scenes where they should have been placed in the film, which i've seen before in other films, but for some reason, i think works much better in a documentary like this. | |
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I like the Dandy Warhols, but I know nothing about the other band.  Sounds interesting."I saw a woman with major Hammer pants on the subway a few weeks ago and totally thought of you." - sextonseven | |
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I read a big article about this movie in Rolling Stone and it looks REALLY interesteing. I'll have to see if I can dig up a copy somewhere.
The thing you said about the one band getting its act togther and the other destructing....that happens to so many bands. Musicians are stupid because a lot of them dont' seem to know that behaving like a rock star (excessive drugs, alcohol, etc) only works if you ARE a rock star. I'm a musician and I've seen it a lot and it's gotten to a point where I have no sympathy for them. | |
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guitarslinger44 said: I read a big article about this movie in Rolling Stone and it looks REALLY interesteing. I'll have to see if I can dig up a copy somewhere.
The thing you said about the one band getting its act togther and the other destructing....that happens to so many bands. Musicians are stupid because a lot of them dont' seem to know that behaving like a rock star (excessive drugs, alcohol, etc) only works if you ARE a rock star. I'm a musician and I've seen it a lot and it's gotten to a point where I have no sympathy for them. it just looked to me like the dandy warhols were willing to grow up a bit and treat their band like a career, whereas anton from brian jonestown massacre was so full of himself - and rightfully so to an extent, he comes off as so amazingly prolific and full of images and ideas and energy - that he saw the dandys' work ethic as, i don't know, a kind of weakness...like, "if they were as talented as me, they wouldn't have to go on MTV and do promo tours and pose for spin magazine, blah blah blah". meanwhile, anton becomes a junkie and alienates himself from his entire band...which sucks, because it was a really cool band. i hope joel's doing something cool these days - he was a hoot in the movie. dude's got some really fun stage presence. | |
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This is an incredible documentary. I've been a fan of the Dandy's for many years but really had no idea of all the stuff that they went through with the other band as well as with Capitol Records. It was an interesting film and a true statment of what is right and wrong with the music industry. It is also a true statment of what constitutes 'selling out' to a major label. The BJM insisted on staying indie and the Dandy's went major and you see the consequences for both options. It is a disturbing film when it comes to some of the individual self-destrcting decisions and all the violence between the memebers but it's very real...and you just cringe watching it.
For anyone who loves rock and roll films, documentaries...DIG is a must....plus the 2nd disc is loaded with extras..... Other Great Rockumentaries: MAYOR OF THE SUNSET STRIP-The story of LA's Rodney Bringinheimer (sp)...DJ for KROQ...lots of candid scenes with celebs including Gwen Stefani, Keanu Reeves, Coldplay, Courntey Love, Bowie...among others END OF THE CENTURY...THE STORY OF THE RAMONES-Another great doc...with ton of extras... JONI MITCHELL-WOMAN OF HEART AND MIND-The life of Joni...as told by her and those close to her....simply stunning Every minute of last night is on my face today.... | |
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Anxiety said: Just wondering if anyone's seen the documentary "DiG!", about the weird feud between the Dandy Warhols and Brian Jonestown Massacre. I didn't know much about either band before I watched it, and even though the movie didn't really make me a fan of either band, I can't stop thinking about what I saw. The film is more tragic and frustrating and weird than anything that could be scripted, but at the same time, it's such a classic story that it's hard to believe it wasn't scripted: two bands that are mutually supportive of each other start out as nobodys - one band gets its act together and gets some success, the other band self-destructs and becomes bitter toward the other band.
I think there was an element of romance gone sour happening in that film, too...I definitely got more than a little bit of a Velvet Goldmine vibe from watching Anton and Courtney in the early days...but maybe it's just because they were both fey and pretty.
Yeah, I rented it because I read an article about it, plus I very much dig Brian Jonestown Massacre. Seen them live out here in Hollywood at the Whisky A Go Go about 5 years ago. Anyone see this? If not, and if ya like the rock'n'roll that the kids are so wild about these days, then you should rent this flick. SynthiaRose said "I'm in love with blackguitaristz. Especially when he talks about Hendrix."
nammie "What BGZ says I believe. I have the biggest crush on him." http://ccoshea19.googlepa...ssanctuary http://ccoshea19.googlepages.com | |
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That is so weird. I watched it just last night (Netflix just like you, Anx).
The Dandy's came through the recording studio I worked at back in 1996 or 1997 around the time most of this documentary footage was shot. I didn't get much of an impression because they stayed to themselves and I didn't work on their project, but I remember not being impressed or surprised when their career didn't ignite here in America. They seemed just as full of themselves as the doumentary tried to show BJM was. After it was over, I still came away puzzling why anyone thought Anton was talented at all. I'm not familiar with BJM's material, but the guy just seemed like a mediocre throw back to me. Dull. They kept showing the same three people talking about him being this great genius (basically sucking the shit out of his ass) and I can see how they set up these scenes to manipulate you into believing them, but there was no direct evidence of this genius at all. Just a deluded addict telling the warehouse guys at the record label that he was "going to make them a lot of money!" - The warehouse guys!!? They don't get a piece of your record sales...ass. I'm glad I saw it, but it really sickened me. [Edited 4/20/05 16:31pm] | |
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i can see what the label weasels saw in anton, though i'd hardly consider him the ubergenius rock'n'roll messiah that they were trying to make him out to be. at best, his appeal is/was that he's a kinda hot, really unhinged attention whore who can keep an audience's attention...that last part being, sadly, in short supply these days. i think it was almost as much the industry's fault that he ended up a junkie burnout as it was his own - they enabled him every stumble of the way. and anton was so up his ass that he didn't realize what a cliche he was living.
i didn't find many of the folks in that documentary very likeable or particularly breathtaking as musicians. joel the tambourine guy from BJTM was the only person i really thought i'd be able to stand if i had to be around any of those people in person. in general though, they reminded me of boy bands with cooler hair and raggier clothes.  | |
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Anxiety said: i can see what the label weasels saw in anton, though i'd hardly consider him the ubergenius rock'n'roll messiah that they were trying to make him out to be. at best, his appeal is/was that he's a kinda hot, really unhinged attention whore who can keep an audience's attention...that last part being, sadly, in short supply these days. i think it was almost as much the industry's fault that he ended up a junkie burnout as it was his own - they enabled him every stumble of the way. and anton was so up his ass that he didn't realize what a cliche he was living.
i didn't find many of the folks in that documentary very likeable or particularly breathtaking as musicians. joel the tambourine guy from BJTM was the only person i really thought i'd be able to stand if i had to be around any of those people in person. in general though, they reminded me of boy bands with cooler hair and raggier clothes. LOL! Totally! | |
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