Groove Is In the Heart

I got this email from a friend the other day...

For the past year, I was living in a film archive run by this complete anti-social nutcase. Stayed inside all day and, from what I could tell, was completely socially autistic (found out later he probably had Asperger's syndrome). He would yell at my friends for ringing the doorbell too loud. He had a fetish for vintage pornography and was crazy sexist. But we got along great. The vast ocean of his off-the-wall wackiness completely diluted my own social phobias. I'd look at him and think, "This guy's fucking nuts and he seems to be able to navigate the world reasonably well. What the heck am I so worried about?"

Exactly.

The roommie and I saw "Dig!" the other night. If you haven't heard about it, director Ondi Timoner started this documentary out thinking she was going to cover the career paths of ten different bands over the course of a certain period of time, but was commanded by Brian Jonestown Massacre founder Anton Newcombe to just follow him and the other greatest band in the world, the Dandy Warhols. So the film follows Anton and Courtney Taylor (and the rest of their band members) around for about 7 years, watching the Dandys achieve some level of alternative success (videos by Dave LaChapelle and headlining European music festivals) and charting the struggle (and occasional self sabotage) of Anton and his crew.

What this film really turns into is a character study of the mad genius versus the industry. While the Dandy Warhols are extremely talented, they are also rewarded for playing by the rules (making pouty videos, kissing the right ass, etc) and they have a record deal - albeit somewhat frustrating at times - to show for it. BJM, on the other hand, is driven by Anton's fierce DIY ethic, and, unfortunately, his whims... Which (as depicted in the film anyway... And I've seen my share of BJM shows that were similar) led to fights with band and/or audience members, studio engineers, label types... You name it.

Anton Newcombe has created some really amazing music. He knows it, and will be the first to tell you so. A friend of mine went to a BJM show recently and reported back, "Anton started the show by abandoning the band, playing DJ for a bit, then got on stage and preached on about the war in Iraq and the loss of life... This went on for 45 minutes, and eventually they played three songs. And those three songs were the best songs you felt like you'd ever heard in your life."

That's the thing with Anton. He is powerfully creative, and pretty nuts. Watching a BJM show sometimes has the same appeal as watching a car wreck. You can't tear your eyes away. So it was easy for him to become the focal point of this film, because he behaves in such a self absorbed way(including some serious substance abuse... Surprise!), and is so confident in just about everything he does, that it's absolutely fascinating material. He pretty much always does what you secretly wish you could do. But all this crazy, unchecked behavior makes you forget that there is real talent there, and at least the movie (and Courtney Taylor) try to keep reminding the viewer of that.

So this got me thinking... Doesn't it seem like there are a disproportionate number of artistic nutjobs out there? Beautifully creative people with insane drug habits and completely irrational behavior? Why is that? I've hung out with people like this over the years, and possibly the most talented, creative person I've ever known was also the funniest, intelligent and completely horrible person - all at the same time. You never knew when you walked in if he was going to make you laugh or try to make you angry. He liked to antagonize people just as much as entertain them. It was difficult to be friends at times, and incredibly rewarding at others.

Well, I guess these people are fucking nuts and seem to be able to navigate the world reasonably well. And we get this great art on top of it. What the heck am I so worried about?