January 28, 2002

Interview with Anton Newcombe

By: Emerson Dameron

[Emerson]: What triggered your affinity with the music of the 1960's?

[Anton]: I was born in 1967.the music of that time is real, if you took the top ten of that year and compare it with anything in popular culture you will start to feel like you are being ripped off, like your mind is being raped.

[Emerson]:  What happens when we die?

[Anton]: What a stupid question, what happens if you live your life for nothing? you are a waste of life, if you do nothing, nothing happens.  Do something for your world, let god worry about the rest.

[Emerson]:  Describe a particularly revelatory drug experience.

[Anton]: I have nothing to say about drugs or drug use except, educate yourself, and take responsibility for your actions. drugs are tools, and just like a skill saw or a stick of dynamite, you can really fuck yourself up or other people if you don't know what you are doing. also, d.m.t. is very strong.

[Emerson]:  Let's say someone out there is in a rut. Physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual. Any sort of rut. Someone's always in a rut. What would be your advice to that person?

[Anton]: Find the inner place within you that love the truth, work on that every second of your life, be honest, no mater how naked you may feel, you opinion of life and your perspective will change. that's the only thing that really matters, all things are possible when you are coming from a place of truth, you can accept life. you can really live.

[Emerson]:  What's wrong with America?

[Anton]: Ask yourself first what is right about America. what do you do to make the world a better place. it starts with you.  I think a lot of American are lazy, greedy, stupid, scared of life, filled with fast food, or they are on Prozac, brain washed, unaware that we own 48% of the worlds wealth, and 6% of the population, they don't like the truth. there are a lot of Americans who are great, who help other people, who fight to death for truth and freedom, not a bumper sticker or a flag on a car, but like Martin Luther King for what is right. think about what I am saying. I believe in the power of love. my love is stronger than your hate.

[Emerson]:  What can we expect from the live Brian Jonestown Massacre experience?

[Anton]: When we come to town expect one of America's best bands to put on a great show.  We are one of a kind, and we plan to entertain you, the listener, if you have not seen us fine, don't judge us. we are real.  If that scares you, stay home and watch TV.

[Emerson]:  If you decided to form a doomsday cult a la the People's Temple, what would be its tenets?

[Anton]: This is a poor question, how about if I decided to ignite God-consciousness in everyone, and with that people set out to correct every wrong ever done in history where would you start? I would start with the truth, I would start with myself, I would trust the spirit as I always have, and I would succeed.

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