Review of Dig! (2004) by Alex K — 07 Feb 2008

Dig! is the most fascinating documentary I've watched since the Fearless Freaks, an odd statement to make since Dig! came out first, but sometimes I take some time catching up... and by sometimes, I mean all of the time.

Anyway, here we have the rivaling stories of the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre, friends and rival bands that have very different ways of dealing with the record industry and their music, and have since, gone on very different paths.

It's an extremely interesting study of many things. The record industry is thoroughly scrutinized through the eyes of the Dandys, four hard working suburban kids who're just trying to make it, and don't feel bad about signing as long as they feel they can do it on their terms, compromising a music video here or there to make it.

We see first hand the label managers and video directors they dealth with, and get both sides of what it feels like to be a signed band today. Meanwhile, BJM front man Anton escalates a rivalry with his former friend and Dandy leader Courtney.

As the Dandys get bigger, BJM stays in the same place, largely because of Anton's unchecked insanity and ego. He's reckless, fights with bandmates and audience members alike, and in the end feels like he's the only member of BJM.

As the bands grow apart, the rivalry becomes larger, and we see the parallel of a pretty successful pop group with a group doomed to failure and make our own judgements about what's worth it and what isn't.

Ondi Timoner put her heart and soul into this project, filming over 1500 hours of footage and cutting it down into a funny, hectic, and enlightening 107 minute piece of what it's like to be a band in America.

Anyone who has any interest in rock music at all would do well to check out Dig!