In the Jingle Jangle Jungle
Keeping Time with the Brian Jonestown Massacre
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Orion Publishing Co
Published:29th Feb '24
Should be back in stock very soon
This memoir offers a candid look at the first decade of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, revealing the highs and lows of life in a cult rock band.
In the memoir In the Jingle Jangle Jungle, Joel Gion, the tambourine-playing frontman of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, shares an intimate look at his experiences with one of America's most iconic cult rock bands. The narrative captures the essence of the band's chaotic yet vibrant life during the mid-'90s, a time when their psychedelic sound flourished amidst the grunge wave that dominated the music scene. Gion's account is filled with both humor and nostalgia, providing a unique perspective on the band's rise to fame and their dedication to preserving the spirit of '60s rock.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre, known for their prolific output and notorious antics, are immortalized in the acclaimed documentary DIG!, which chronicled their tumultuous relationship with fellow band The Dandy Warhols. Gion's memoir gives readers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the band's journey, from their early days to their explosive live performances. With albums like Their Satanic Majesties Second Request and Thank God for Mental Illness, the band carved out a niche that continues to resonate with audiences today.
In the Jingle Jangle Jungle is not just a recounting of events; it is a heartfelt tribute to the camaraderie, struggles, and triumphs of life on the road. Gion's storytelling is enriched by his role as the band's 'spirit animal,' making this memoir a must-read for fans and newcomers alike. With a foreword by Anton Newcombe, the band's founder, this book is poised to be a cherished addition to the rock and roll literary canon.
I shot the perfect bootleg video of Joel with the BJM once: he's menacing but perfectly in the pocket with his tambourine and I just couldn't turn away. Damnit, now he's got me glued to these pages in a similar way... I think my brother knows how to feel. * Kurt Vile *
Tales told through the prism of San Franciscian subterranean psychescenster Joel Gion. Casted into the fray via the vanguard of an embryonic yet already near mythical BJM brethren, bubbling up from faded Victorian grandeur bedsit land streets, as a new youth guitar scene thus unravels into existence. Surely genuine psychedelia's last stand * Sam Knee *
A new postmodern Beat sensation. Gion steers us through the hedonism and headaches of the BJM's alternative America with spontaneous-prose sincerity, ecstatic warmth and a Brautiganesque eye for the absurd. Love it. * Richard Milward *
Candid, insightful, and by turns both hilarious and regretful... Engaging, unique and endlessly quotable, In the Jingle Jangle Jungle is a must-read for fans of turn-of-the-millennium psychedelic rock 'n' roll. * Shindig! *
A riotous, yet strangely graceful walk through a life of deep bohemian adventure * The Quietus *
'[while] peppered with breezy humour, it pulls a few punches in exposing the uglier side to life in a struggling rock band' * Daily Telegraph *
Provides a fresh perspective to the fabled events witnessed in Dig! plus a panoply of debauched tales from Gion's personal life... Gion is a fount of vibrant storytelling * I Newspaper *
The memoir draws to a close as the band tours their 1998 album, Strung Out in Heaven, and such are the insightful, acerbic details presented here, one can only hope that Gion is prepping memoir number two * Irish Times *
ISBN: 9781399618281
Dimensions: 236mm x 158mm x 40mm
Weight: 580g
368 pages