Anton Newcombe got accidentally famous for all the wrong reasons.
Back in 2004 Ondi Timoner released the seminal documentary Dig!, painting the Brian Jonestown Massacre frontman as a drunken, egomaniacal loose cannon on a one way street to self-destruction. What Dig! failed to capture was a man on a mission; a man who’s frequently been described as a genius and is among the most under-appreciated songwriters of his generation. 11 years on and Anton is still putting out records year-on-year, still touring and still reinventing his pioneering brand of psychedelia. With a new collaborative album with Tess Parks out soon, he’s now settled down with his family in Berlin, a long way from his Californian roots. As soon as Anton knew where we were based he couldn’t wait to pepper us with Anglophile references, touching on cartoons, cautions and Kanye along the way.
What was your favourite cartoon when you were a kid?
Shit, I wonder what it is? How about the psychedelic ones? I love The Beatles cartoons. Yellow Submarine.
Do you support a sports team?
Not one. Isn’t that weird? I wanna say something from, like, a lesbian snooker league, but I can’t think of any.
What is the most overrated album of all time?
Whatever is number one right this second. That has got to be the most overrated record.
What is your favourite sitcom?
Does Alan Partridge count?
What’s your favourite breakfast cereal?
I’m a fan of all the Scandinavian stuff.
Wayne’s World or Bill & Ted?
I’m not into that stuff. Little Britain. Would be my answer.
Have you been arrested?
Cautioned.
And what for?
Oh, you know, fighting.
What’s you favourite boardgame?
Ouija board. I don’t really consult spirits, but I like the idea of it.
Is there a piece of advice you wish you’d given yourself 10 years ago?
I sacrificed my 20s working on music, but I still wish that I could have done more. I don’t know if that’s physically possible.
When was the last time you ran as fast as you can?
I got into it with this guy in a bar. I just walked out. He followed me out so I picked up a trashcan and hit him over the head with it. I turn around and this whole mob’s chasing me. I smoke a pack of non-filters a day and I’m 47. I ran until I hit a block, then they caught me. The only reason I got saved was these gang bangers drove by and were like “That’s not fair, there’s like 10 of those guys kicking him!”
Have you ever taken acid?
Yeah. In my life I thought I was in total control, but acid was the first thing that made me feel like I was out of control, and then you have to learn how to master that environment. That’s what I first liked about it. But of course, after a while … you only need to do it so many times.
Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met?
Well I would say – are you ready for this? Drumroll … Ringo Starr.
How was he?
He’s so the way you imagine him to be. He’s so … all the way Ringo.
Would you go for a pint with Kanye West?
I don’t care for the guy and I don’t drink. So there’s your answer.
What would you want written on your tombstone?
‘Please don’t judge me too harshly.’
Have you ever shoplifted?
We used to steal packs of beers and we’d run away and, like, throw them at the people who were chasing us.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
I used to work for a sailboat company and I’d be sanding fibreglass and you’d get this fibre all over you. It could get in your pores, even.
Do you have a number one fan?
There’s this one lady – she’s gonna laugh if she sees this – her name is Diana. We’ll be anywhere in the world and she’ll just pop up. She’s not crazy or anything. She’s like … a lawyer I think?
What’s the first thing you’re going to do after this interview?
I’m gonna have a cup of tea!
I Declare Nothing by Tess Parks and Anton Newcombe is released 29 June via A Recordings
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