Song of the Day: Brian Jonestown Massacre - Vad Hände Med Dem?

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on The Morning Show with DJ John Richards, is “Vad Hände Med Dem” by Brian Jonestown Massacre from the 2014 album Revelation on A Records.

Brian Jonestown Massacre - Vad Hände Med Dem? (MP3)

A lot has changed for the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Not only has their notorious frontman Anton Newcombe relocated to Berlin, but before the birth of his infant son, Wolfgang, he quit all drugs and alcohol. The band's fourteenth and latest album, Revelation, is the first he has ever created sober. In an interview with the Austin Monthly, Newcombe explains, "In the past, my heavy drug and alcohol use were parts of the recording process. I’d make music that sounded good on drugs or booze, or whatever. Since I don’t use drugs anymore, making Revelation was an interesting process — because I just made music for music’s sake."

Hints of his newfound sobriety appear in today's Song of the Day, as Newcombe sings in Swedish (!), "Just let the light crash through your brain and wash everything away" over a krautrock-inspired psychedelic groove. Newcombe proves his songwriting is as strong as ever, combining the group's trademark '90s sound with interesting new influences.

Anton Newcombe is very active on Twitter, and can be followed here, and his YouTube channel features lots of demos from the new release. The band are currently on tour in the UK through mid-July.