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The Brian Jonestown Massacre are gearing up for a global tour (35 dates planned so far, but the number is sure to increase) starting on April 29th in Austin, Texas where the band will participate in the 2018 edition of the Levitation Festival.
This isn’t the only news, however, as Anton Newcombe has practically announced the release of two new LPs in the coming months (preceded by a single coming out on May 18th). One in June. The other in September. Both will be released on Anton’s label (A Recordings).
To talk about this and much more, I contacted Ricky Maymi, who, as always, proved to be a delightful and very approachable person, providing detailed and very interesting answers to all my questions.
Founder of BJM with Anton Newcombe and Travis Threlkel, Ricky is one of the historical and fundamental elements of this mythical ensemble and a great versatile musician who over the years has played and collaborated with gigantic groups and artists like The Imajinary Friends, Smallstone, Spectrum, Mellow Drunk...
An insatiable listener and great connoisseur of music, Ricky is also a producer and for years he has had a special connection with Beijing in China, where he contributes to the growth of what might become the most explosive alternative scene of the near future.
Thanking Ricky again (who should be traveling from Beijing to the USA at this time to reunite with the rest of the band) for his courtesy, I leave you with this beautiful and rich interview where there are “unreleased” announcements that will intrigue fans.
Enjoy.
Ndr. Obviously, the interview has been transcribed and reported as such also in English.
1. Hi Ricky. Thanks for this chat, it’s always a pleasure. Let’s start with what we can define as the main current topic. The upcoming Brian Jonestown Massacre tour is finally starting! You’ll play 34 concerts around the world. The first date is scheduled for Austin, Texas on April 29th for the Levitation Festival. Clearly, it’s not your first time playing there, and last year the festival was canceled due to weather conditions. What do you say about this return? Perhaps it’s the best way to start the new tour, or am I wrong? It’s the biggest and most popular psychedelic music festival, and I know I’m not mistaken when I say that you are the main reference point for the majority of enthusiasts. Can we say that the Levitation is also a good opportunity to listen to some bands you're interested in and interact with other bands and generally with all the people at the festival? Do you find time for this? Lastly, I wanted to ask if Rishi Dhir will play with the band.
RM. The Brian Jonestown Massacre will play 35 concerts from the end of April to mid-June. United States and Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In the second half of the year, we will surely have more dates in Europe. Then who knows. We’ll see if there’s any other surprise.
Indeed, it’s not the first time we start a tour precisely from the Levitation/Psych Fest in Austin. I definitely like it. Each time it’s the right occasion to meet a bunch of friends from all over the world and then let’s say that in the end, there will be at least a couple of good bands to see play live... Clearly joking here. But in fact, for as strange as it might seem, I wouldn’t define myself exactly as a great fan of neo-psychedelic music. Let's say I'm more of a cross between a “soul Man” and some kind of Ndr. “A song and dance man".
Anyway, returning there is always a pleasure, but that applies every time you’re invited somewhere you’ve already been. :)
I don’t think Rishi will play with us anyway. For several reasons, we no longer play that song (Ndr. “Super-Sonic”) so I don’t think so. We'll see.
2. How do you and the other guys organize yourselves? When do you reunite? Will you reunite directly in Austin? In any case, do you plan to do some rehearsals once there, before starting to play live? Is it something you do regularly or you simply don’t need it? What can you say about the new pieces? Anton recorded everything alone in the studio or am I wrong? Do you regularly keep in touch with each other to be updated and ready to play the new songs together? Will the lineup be the same as the last tour? How do you get along playing with Ryan Van Kriedt? In my opinion, you are perfectly complementary. How did things go with him? Did he immediately gel with the rest of the band? I remember you telling me that the last tours were exceptional in terms of the harmony among all the group members. Can we say that this is fundamental to easing the stress due to the continuous touring and at the same time for the harmony during live performances?
RM. We will gather in Austin for a few days just to rehearse the new songs that this time Anton recorded entirely by himself. Anyway, he and I are always in contact.
Among other things, we will also have a new member in the band, who will replace Ryan.
I’m really sorry that Ryan is leaving us. He’s a great musician and a true gentleman. What an extraordinary person! Playing with him was fantastic, and with him in the band on every tour, there was an atmosphere full of harmony and positive energy. This clearly had a positive return on everything. Really. With Ryan, things went great from the start. We somehow knew each other for years.
However, if it weren’t for the new songs and new guitarist, frankly, I would have skipped the rehearsals. But I think it’s the same for everyone. But it’s something Anton particularly cares about, so it’s fine by me. In the end, it will help us get together and get into the right spirit to face the tour.
3. In my opinion, Anton is much more prolific today than he ever was in the past. Nonetheless, my feeling is that he is now truly an artist fully aware of his abilities, capable of achieving anything he wants. He finally manages to truly express himself. For a musician, do you think it’s a matter of maturity, or does it happen when and because things just go well for you (I mean, even regarding your private life) and you are free from any possible conditioning? Meanwhile, the new single is set to release on May 18. It will contain two songs from the two new LPs coming out, the first on June 1 (“Something Else”) and the other in September. Are you bringing the new songs on tour too? Can you give us a sneak peek about the albums and how they will sound and if you will play any particular pieces that you haven't done in a while? I have two more questions. Simple curiosities. Which do you consider your favorite Brian Jonestown Massacre album? Which are the songs you prefer to play live? Regarding guitars and gear, what are you taking with you on tour?
RM. Anton has finally found his right dimension and it allows him to maintain his high level of artistic inspiration. Which is simply wonderful! It’s exactly what he has always needed. Finally. I’m very happy for him! All the success and acknowledgments he gets are absolutely deserved.
As said, surely we will play quite a lot of new songs. I can’t tell you from which record, also because Anton worked on the two albums simultaneously.
I can’t say anything about bringing back some old songs... We’ll see. We have a new guitarist, so...
My favorite BJM album is “Pol Pot’s Pleasure Penthouse”. Those are the first true songs from where it all began.
There are a bunch of songs we no longer play that I’d like to play, but let’s say it’s Anton who decides. Of those we play, I always prefer the new pieces. I like playing new songs; it gives me a greater feeling of freshness. But I also like to play the pieces that are most liked by those who come to hear us: “Anemone”, “Servo”, “Nevertheless”. But what matters most is that I enjoy playing with this group. They are my guys! ;)
As always, I’ll take my Gibson ES-335 12-string and my Fender Jazzmaster J. Mascis with me.
4. Apparently, you will play around the world, but not in Asia. Let's say that for you, personally, it's not a big problem. I mean, after all, you have a privileged relationship with China and particularly the alternative music scene in Beijing. What are you working on there lately? Would you like to tell us any news about it? It seems that Birdstriking have a UK tour planned, for example. Anyway, you are always working on something. How about Michael Savage’s album and any other projects you are involved in right now? Speaking of the Asian continent, I know you are very interested in Japanese music. What particular aspect intrigues you about these sounds? Can you suggest five essential albums to rediscover that have the same characteristics that attract your interest? Oh! Of course, I want to ask if we will ever see the Imajinary Friends playing live!
RM. Well, here is where the interview really gets interesting! At least for me!
First of all, there’s a chance we might do some dates in Asia. We have several contacts pending, let’s see what comes out. It might just be a matter of time.
As you know, I'm currently in Beijing working on the production of two albums.
The first is from a band where I’m also the drummer. I recorded some guitar parts and keyboards in the studio personally, but fundamentally I’m the drummer, both live and in the studio. The band includes members of Birdstriking, some of whom were part of Carsick Cars and Skip Skip Ben Ben. It’s music with a particularly dreamy and obsessive sound, but with that classic minimalist and appealing approach. I must say I'm very satisfied with the result! The band is called Baihu, which means two things: “white tiger” or “shaved vagina”. :)
We already have an album ready for the final mixing and mastering. Then we’re starting to work on a second album.
The second album I’m working on in Beijing is that of TOW, a duo consisting of Yang Fan and Liu Fei. Yang Fan was part of the first all-female punk band in China, Hang On The Box. The band is still active, although Yang Fan left some time ago. She founded the group. At that time, they even appeared on the cover of Newsweek and toured in Japan and North America. It was a huge success, and they gained a lot of recognition. Then she founded another all-female band, Ourself Beside Me. They released on Maybe Mars Records. A very good band! Then she produced the albums of Chui Wan and Mr. Graceless and recorded a solo album.
We contacted Stuart Mann, who was here in Beijing, to ask him to play drums and percussion on some tracks of TOW’s album. We've known each other for a while; we toured together with the Wild Swans. He’s a great drummer and percussionist.
Liu Ge from TOW is instead a fantastic guitarist! He’s practically the Rowland S. Howard of Beijing! He also plays with the Molds. Definitely worth a listen. They have the density of sound like Jesus and Mary Chain but are much more unhinged. He started singing in a hardcore punk band called Kill Tomorrow. They were also quite good.
Michael Savage’s new album is titled “Won’t Die Wondering”. It has been mixed, mastered, and pressed on vinyl! The cover and artwork are by Felicity Gresele, who is actually Otis Maymi’s mom (Ndr. Ricky’s amiable son).
The album will surely be available in Fremantle when Michael opens the Brian Jonestown Massacre concert. On June 2nd.
I took care of the production and played a plethora of guitar parts, synth, and percussion. I also played the melodica! It was a first for me. I'm very pleased with how the album turned out! I believe it will be a success. Or at least that's what I hope. Greg Hitchcock also plays guitar on the album. You probably know him: he plays and has played with the Neptunes, the Bamboos, You Am I, and Datura 4. He also toured with the Finn Brothers. :)
My interest in Japanese music is especially about the late seventies and early eighties. It was a special period in the Japanese music scene that influenced artists like David Sylvian and Japan, David Bowie, and many other artists, and this naturally sparked my interest!
Here are some listening suggestions…
a) Yellow Magic Orchestra: everything, starting with "Naughty Boys",
b) Ippu Do: everything, starting with "Radio Fantasy",
c) Masami Tsuchiya: "Rice Music",
d) Yukihiro Takahashi: everything, starting with "Neuromantic",
e) Dip In The Pool: everything, starting with "s/t",
f) Taeko Ohnuki: "Signifie" and "Sunflower". Both are exceptional,
g) Ryuichi Sakamoto: everything, starting with "B-2 Unit",
h) Haruomi Hosono: everything, starting with "Philharmony",
i) Akiko Yano: "I’m Home",
l) Koharu Kisaragi: "City Life",
m) Mariah: "Utakata No Hibi",
n) Yasuaki Shimizu: "Kakashi"
o) Tatsuro Yamashita: "Moonflower", "For You", "Pocket Music", and "Melodies",
p) Motoharu Sano: "Visitors",
q) Sadistics: "s/t"
r) Yoshino Fujimal: "s/t"
s) AB’s: "s/t"
t) Niagara Triangle: "Volume 2"
u) Melon: “Do You Like Japan?”
v) Happy End: everything…
Finally, about The Imajinary Friends.
Well, we have no intention of performing live because this would go against the true nature and intent of our music. We create, but we don't recreate. We see no reason to play the same thing multiple times when we could make completely new music with the same time and energy.
Then playing live would involve involving other musicians, rehearsing. This too would be a waste of time and resources that we might otherwise subtract from recording new music.
The success of our latest album surprised us and it was a great pleasure to have it released with San Francisco’s 300mics. It was also released in a limited edition of 50 copies by the French label Je Suis Un Deontologue. Finally, it will be released more widely in Europe on vinyl and CD by the Greek label Sound Effect. We have also considered releasing a single in France of the first track from the LP, “L'Outsider”, recorded with Moogy on vocals. Sung in French, of course.
But we would also like to work on a new record by the end of this year when I will spend some time in San Francisco.
5. Rick, I never asked you how and when your story with the BJM began. You've been part of it from the start, right? Would you like to share something about the early period of the band? Also to talk about something more interesting and important than the usual stuff everyone has seen in the unnecessarily spectacular documentary film “Dig!” What can you say instead about how the band's sound has changed over the years?
RM. Well. I, Anton, and Travis Threlkel founded the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Just the three of us and no one else.
Let this be clear to everyone because it’s the truth. A fact. All this happened at the end of 1990.
After playing for a while with a bassist, but things weren’t working well, we met Matt Hollywood and asked him to join the group.
After that, I switched from drums to guitar and when Matt left us for the first time in 1992, I took over on bass.
After a while, let’s say after the first months of 1993, Travis and I decided to leave and started working on the project The Imajinary Friends with Graham Bonnar (ex Swervedriver) and then, later, Matt Hollywood on bass. Then Tim Digulla joined, who later founded the Tipsy, whose first record was released in Japan by Daisyworld Records, founded by Haruomi Hosono of Yellow Magic Orchestra and Happy End. As you can see, everything is connected.
Since I returned to the BJM in September 2003, I would say that the band’s sound finally became what we were aiming for at the beginning. It took us some time, but now we’re there. It’s also related to the band's composition. We have an excellent rhythm section. And the sound of the synths is simply perfect. Also, the loops and live guitar samples are always something we’ve always wanted to set up. There are some songs where I use them.
DIG! is only a funny attempt to represent what our band is and has always tried to work on. I have to say though, that I’m happy I wasn’t in the band during those years. ;)
During that period, I worked with the Imajinary Friends, the Smallstone, Spectrum, Mellow Drunk, and a lot of other bands circulating around the city of San Francisco. I really kept myself busy. Among other things, I actually attended advanced composition and electronic music courses at the university, as well as theater, ancient history, political science, astronomy, creative writing, and mathematics.
READ IT IN ENGLISH.
1. Hi Ricky. Nice to have this talk, really thank you. So, let’s begin from what we could say it was an actual theme. The BJM tour is finally starting. You’re going to play 34 gigs all around the world. First date it will be in Austin on the 29th for the Levitation Festival. Not the first time you’re playing there. Last year the festival unfortunately didn’t happen: happy to be back playing there? Perhaps this is the best way to start the tour, not? I mean, that’s probably the most popular festival into psychedelic music and you guys I suppose you are the main point of reference to the majority of the audience. Are these occasions generally also a good moment for you to take part in the event also attending other gigs and interacting with the other bands and musicians as long as with your all the people who take part in the event? Do you generally have time for that? Last question about this is if Rishi Dhir was going eventually to perform with the band?
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