The Connection Between Music and Madness
Two Films Suggest a Relationship Between Art and Mental Illness
Oct 7, 2008
Dig! (2004) is a documentary film about the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre, two bands that might be classified as alternative rock. The two bands have a strange kinship and rivalry, hence the twin bill subject matter for this fun and somewhat meandering film. The Dandy Warhols are best known for their hit song "We Used to Be Friends", the opening theme for the TV show Veronica Mars. The Brian Jonestown Massacre is best known for the song "Going to Hell" that has been used in movie soundtracks for American Pie and Dead Man's Curve. (The song was also used in an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)
It is the lead singer of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, Anton Newcombe, who appears to be mentally ill and perhaps an illegal drug user. There are many uncomfortable moments in this film where Newcombe berates fellow band members and the Dandy Warhol's Courtney Taylor, while praising his own musical genius. Is it any wonder that the Brian Jonestown Massacre has had over two-dozen band members come and go? More proof of Newcombe's mental instability is provided by the fact that his father was schizophrenic, and killed himself shortly after being filmed for the documentary.
You're Gonna Miss Me and Roky Erickson
You're Gonna Miss Me (2005) is a fascinating documentary film about the rise and fall of the musician who invented the term psychodelic rock, Roky Erickson. As the lead singer for the San Francisco-based 13th Floor Elevators, Erickson was as charismatic as Jim Morrison of the Doors, and reminiscent of a young Van Morrison belting out "Gloria". Erickson was an overt illegal drug user (but who wasn't in San Francisco in the 1960s?) who was targeted by law enforcement to be used as an example. Erickson was busted for one marijuana joint and sentenced to four years in a maximum-security mental institution.
There is some speculation as to the origin of Erickson's mental illness. Was Erickson's mental illness caused by consuming large amounts of LDS and heroin? Did Erickson develop paranoid schizophrenia because he reached an age when such an illness presents itself? Did Erickson have a genetic predisposition based on the DNA of both of his parents who seem extremely dysfunctional at best, mentally ill at the worst. You're Gonna Miss Me also referred to the chaotic and neglectful upbringing of Erickson and his siblings-could his childhood have contributed to the development of his mental illness in later life?
The Connection Between Music and Mental Illness
Both Dig! and You're Gonna Miss Me invite the viewer to ponder the connection between creating music and mental illness. Many mentally ill people (and even some well ones) may perceive themselves as outsiders. Engaging in creative activity such as making music, is a way for them to join with others in a place where they belong.
Both films also make the viewer ask questions such as: Are the mentally ill more drawn to music or do they have more natural ability for music? Or, do the mentally ill find necessary peace and order in the musical world? Do mentally ill people find it easier to interact with other humans through music? Do mentally ill people find it easier to express their selves via music? There is probably some truth in all these questions and these questions can also apply to mentally healthy people. The word art can also be interchanged with the word music in all of the questions above.
Check out Dig! and You're Gonna Miss Me. If nothing else, both musical documentary films have great soundtracks and an intriguing inside look at some very creative and musical folks.
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