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the dandy warhols/brian jonestown massacre documentary, "dig!"
IMO this is one of the finest rock-docs ever made. Not sure how close to reality it really is (maybe more "film" than "documentary"), but filmmaker Ondi Timoner followed the bands in question (Portland's Dandy Warhols and SF's Brian Jonestown Massacre) for seven years, amassing something like 2500 hours of footage, to craft a narrative that basically portrays a love/hate relationship between the bands (at one point, BJM frontman Anton Newcombe sends each member of Dandy Warhols a bullet with his/her name on it). I had the advantage of knowing both bands on their own terms -- the Dandys' Courtney Taylor-Taylor is a longtime friend, and I've been a fan of BJM for years, as my reviews/interviews would show -- so I can pick around a bit between what seems real (the music itself, life on the road, dealing with labels and the biz) and what seems contrived (the friction between the bands, Anton's seemingly over-the-top persona). The Dandys are THE most fun hang of all time -- their rehearsal space-cum-party cabin/clubhouse, the Odditorium in Portland, took up a full city block and hosted absolute ragers over the years (including an amazing night with David Bowie and band). The film is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and Timoner has added scenes and additional narration from BJM tambourine player (!!) Joel Gion to bring the movie up to date and balance out some of the overblown-ness of the original version. Compulsive viewing, dead ahead: "Choose your own adventure" with the cameras rolling.
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@coreydubrowa
Mar 12, 2024
12
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@adamseadub
Agreed on the Warhols being awesome. Got to hang w/ them last year after a show in Portland, it was a blast. I had no idea there was a new version of Dig out. Going to check that out ASAP, thanks!
Mar 12, 2024
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@fightwithknives
I just rewatched this one and it's hilarious, so very much of its time. The scene where the Dandys do a photoshoot in the BJM house? Frickin gold. I love both bands, but I wouldn't have known BJM as well without this doc.
Mar 12, 2024
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@coreydubrowa
fightwithknives Courtney and that whole band are every bit the bag of feral/funny cats they appear to be in the movie. I've actually found Anton to be super thoughtful and kind and artistic -- things you don't really get a sense of in the movie. I think it wasn't a great moment for him and his post-Dig! career just demonstrates how creative and excellent BJM really is throughout all its eras.
Mar 12, 2024
1

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Dig! the brian jonestown massacre & Dandy warhols doc
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