Dig!
Never in a million years did I expect a documentary involving the Dandy Warhols would leave me riveted and entertained, but Dig! managed just that. In essence Dig! documents the fortunes of two west coast indie bands – The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols.
I’d associated the Dandy Warhols with insipid candy-floss rock ‘n’ roll (and of course that Vodafone ad) and nothing in this film has changed that view. However unlike the band itself, this movie is a gem, largely because they’re not the stars.
Step up to the microphone one Anton Newcombe: lead singer with the The Brian Jonestown Massacre. A maniacal, egotistical, self-serving musical genius who makes Jim Morrison look positively modest and insecure. Shot over seven years by director Ondi Timoner, the documentary charts the initial friendship between Newcombe and Dandy’s lead singer Courtney Taylor. Both share a similar anti-mainstream view of the music industry and hope that their bands can become successful without conforming.
Taylor clearly respects Newcombe as a musician - almost to the point of obsession. But despite such obvious musical ability, the BJM manage to sabotage each and every opportunity they have at success. Thanks in the main to Newcombe. Quite simply, he is a lunatic. A man who wrote and produced three full-length studio albums in one year, can play 80 instruments and has a Dylan-like way with lyrics; yet when faced with the slightest criticism or questioning of his talent will not hesitate to lash out.
BJM gigs are sheer mayhem. If fans have the temerity to heckle the band, Newcombe doesn’t think twice about kicking a fan in the face (you can imagine how that goes down with the A&R people present) or stopping the gig immediately and shouting/fighting with the assembled audience.
He employs a similar ‘trip switch’ attitude with his band members, firing and hiring at will. Acrimony abounds, as do large quantities of serious drugs. Add in a ‘Jesus Christ’ complex and you’ve got a time bomb right there.
Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, Newcombe develops an unhealthy hatred of the Dandy Warhols once they become successful. Fuelled by spite he records a parody album entitled “Not If You Were The Last Dandy On Earth”, crashes a Dandy’s gig and hands out copies of the album, on roller skates.
Make yourself very happy and catch this movie before the run ends.
Published by Flubber Monkey.
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