Anton Newcombe

Musician — California

01Profile

A Anton Newcombe Photo

03Interview

Name?
Anton Newcombe

Where are you from?
Newport Beach, California.

What do you do?
Musician/Producer/Polymath.

Describe your style in three words?
Classic Monochromatic Subterfuge.

You can make a record with anyone from history - who would it be?
Tony Visconti, he's done so many amazing things...I would love to have the chance to learn a thing or two while working on a song.

What do you miss about home when you're on tour?
My son Wolfgang, he's at that magic age… 4.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been too?
I don't believe in bests, but I saw several early PIL concerts with Keith Levene and Jah Wobble, Johnny Lydon and Martín Atkins - it was lysergic to say the least. It changed the way I looked at music forever and I owe that to Keith & co.

What British music icons inspire your sound today?
Brian Jones (founder of the Rolling Stones) for his open-minded approach to musicality.

David Bowie - his endless experimentation and the way he kept relevant until the end. Such a classy gent.

And I'll add Bobby Gillespie because he needs to get his ass over to Berlin and make this record with me and Andrew Innes - I just respect how he stays true, so solid - I want to kill the rock star dream for one 12" and deliver something so legendary it lives forever.

Besides that?

I want to talk Paul Weller into recording a simple album like ‘Are You Experienced' by Jimi Hendrix - 3 or 4 people playing in front of 20 of his mates on old gear and just laying down the law - like Wildwood but harder.

You can spend an hour with anyone from history - who would it be and why?
Jimi Hendrix because I love his spirit... the way 'The Wind Cries Mary' makes me feel, to say thank you.


Anton Newcombe is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, producer and the leader of The Brian Jonestown Massacre - a San Francisco based psychedelic band that have been active since the early 1990s with an impressively prolific output. Their 17th studio album 'Don't Get Lost' will be released on 24th February 2017.

Listen to lead track 'Fact 67' featuring Tim Burgess (The Charlatans) below.

04Playlist Notes

What was the first song you played on repeat?
'Surfer Joe' by The Surfaris.
A gift from a babysitter.

One record you would keep forever?
'Sounds Of Silence' by Simon & Garfunkel.
Chosen track 'Richard Cory'.

Song you wish you had written?
(Every song I love but...)
'You're Going To Miss Me' by 13th Floor Elevators.

Song that defines the teenage you?
'Revolution' by Spacemen 3. 

A song lyric that inspires you?
"Fight the power, fight the power,
fight the power, fight the power,

you've got to fight the powers that be..."

'Fight The Power' by Public Enemy.

4 songs by new bands you can’t stop listening to right now?

'So Beguiled' by The Soundcarriers (uk)
Because I love their musicality and sensibility and really want to work with them.

'Je Ne Suis Pas Tres Drogue' by The Limiñanas (France)
I'm honoured to be working on their new album, but I fell in love with them the second I heard them.

'To Be Continued' by Ebbot Lundberg (Sweden)
Because I saw him play recently and it was so inspiring, like everything I love about music all at once. I would love to work with him.

'Martian Arts' by Singapore Sling (Iceland)
Henrik Björnsson is like a quiet brother to me and Einar is my spirit animal, or one of them - I love these people and their endless supply of good ideas and true friendship. (Don't listen to this on e).

03Interview

Name?
Anton Newcombe

Where are you from?
Newport Beach, California.

What do you do?
Musician/Producer/Polymath.

Describe your style in three words?
Classic Monochromatic Subterfuge.

You can make a record with anyone from history - who would it be?
Tony Visconti, he's done so many amazing things...I would love to have the chance to learn a thing or two while working on a song.

What do you miss about home when you're on tour?
My son Wolfgang, he's at that magic age… 4.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been too?
I don't believe in bests, but I saw several early PIL concerts with Keith Levene and Jah Wobble, Johnny Lydon and Martín Atkins - it was lysergic to say the least. It changed the way I looked at music forever and I owe that to Keith & co.

What British music icons inspire your sound today?
Brian Jones (founder of the Rolling Stones) for his open-minded approach to musicality.

David Bowie - his endless experimentation and the way he kept relevant until the end. Such a classy gent.

And I'll add Bobby Gillespie because he needs to get his ass over to Berlin and make this record with me and Andrew Innes - I just respect how he stays true, so solid - I want to kill the rock star dream for one 12" and deliver something so legendary it lives forever.

Besides that?

I want to talk Paul Weller into recording a simple album like ‘Are You Experienced' by Jimi Hendrix - 3 or 4 people playing in front of 20 of his mates on old gear and just laying down the law - like Wildwood but harder.

You can spend an hour with anyone from history - who would it be and why?
Jimi Hendrix because I love his spirit... the way 'The Wind Cries Mary' makes me feel, to say thank you.


Anton Newcombe is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, producer and the leader of The Brian Jonestown Massacre - a San Francisco based psychedelic band that have been active since the early 1990s with an impressively prolific output. Their 17th studio album 'Don't Get Lost' will be released on 24th February 2017.

Listen to lead track 'Fact 67' featuring Tim Burgess (The Charlatans) below.

04Playlist Notes

What was the first song you played on repeat?
'Surfer Joe' by The Surfaris.
A gift from a babysitter.

One record you would keep forever?
'Sounds Of Silence' by Simon & Garfunkel.
Chosen track 'Richard Cory'.

Song you wish you had written?
(Every song I love but...)
'You're Going To Miss Me' by 13th Floor Elevators.

Song that defines the teenage you?
'Revolution' by Spacemen 3. 

A song lyric that inspires you?
"Fight the power, fight the power,
fight the power, fight the power,

you've got to fight the powers that be..."

'Fight The Power' by Public Enemy.

4 songs by new bands you can’t stop listening to right now?

'So Beguiled' by The Soundcarriers (uk)
Because I love their musicality and sensibility and really want to work with them.

'Je Ne Suis Pas Tres Drogue' by The Limiñanas (France)
I'm honoured to be working on their new album, but I fell in love with them the second I heard them.

'To Be Continued' by Ebbot Lundberg (Sweden)
Because I saw him play recently and it was so inspiring, like everything I love about music all at once. I would love to work with him.

'Martian Arts' by Singapore Sling (Iceland)
Henrik Björnsson is like a quiet brother to me and Einar is my spirit animal, or one of them - I love these people and their endless supply of good ideas and true friendship. (Don't listen to this on e).

 

05Videos

Fact 67 | The Brian Jonestown Massacre ft. Tim Burgess

Anemone | The Brian Jonestown Massacre