The Brian Jonestown Massacre is one of those bands with an overwhelmingly large back catalogue that can deter you from delving in and joining the club. Why bother? All of these people were into them before you and besides, there are just too many albums! How can they really be that prolific? Is it possible to expect them to still be good?

Yes. BJM are one of the best bands I have ever heard. They are the sort of band that urges you to walk a little further past your destination, take the long route so you can finish the album with your headphones pressed tight. Music that collaborates with your thoughts and compliments your mood no matter what.

To date, Brian Jonestown Massacre have put out 10 albums and four EPs in 20 years. They have also had over 40 band members since forming in 1990 and just one constant: Anton Newcombe. Even Matt Hollywood and Rick Maymi, who were present at the very beginning - have both quit the band for a decade respectively.

Anton Newcombe's reputation certainly precedes him and whilst individual artists come and go, split off and jump into the amoeba of musical talent; this man attracts or repels them at the centre.

Which is why seeing Brian Jonestown Massacre at Billboard on Sunday 21st February 2010 was so contrary. There was nothing to be seen of the notorious brawling, or Anton's control-freak reprimand of other band mates if they struck a wrong note. Instead, it was the highest level of professionalism, each song delivered with the integrity in which it was written and recorded, the skill and enjoyment of the players evident with every note.

Even Matt Hollywood was there, playing with a relaxed assurance and singing his songs whilst Anton stood meekly to the side, his sweat-strung fringe pointing at his guitar with committed absorption. The iconic Joel Gion stood as a centrepiece with his tambourine swagger and pomp in seamless rendition of song after song.

This a far cry for those who remember the 2004 doco ‘DiG!' which did a great deal to expose BJM to the world, and their younger sibling the Dandy Warhols, who precocious and cocky but more successful, streamed on ahead in the full arrogance of fame and rapid marketing.

Both bands were on juggernauts (one to fame and fortune, the other to drug-fuelled downfall) from 1996 until 2001, when it seemed like Anton just couldn't quite keep it together.

In a pivotal scene in the film, Matt Hollywood quits the band after Anton tauntingly starts singing one of Matt's own songs, and Matt throws down his guitar, ripping the mike stand away from Anton, with kicking and brawling erupting all around them.

Not so at Billboard. If anything, Hollywood seemed confident and relaxed. BJM has had its fair share of departing members, but often they will go out and form a new band, not just one hit wonders forever exhibiting their tribute, but good bands in their own right who are forging their unique sound entirely - such as Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Dead Meadow and The Warlocks.

BJM deniers have tried in the past to brush them off as just a druggy band, probably after seeing the film, where drugs often derail important record deals and it seems as though Anton is heading for oblivion.

Certainly there are drug references, Anton repeating "sniffing glue-uh" in a desperate whine with perfect distortion underneath, or track titles such as Prozac vs. Heroin could make you think drug taking is all they are about. But this would be an unfair above all to their music - which embodies the freedom and anti-authoritarianism of the Sixties, and secondly the skill and agility with which they explore their instruments.

Anton has some kind of genius in him, and at his best - is able to allow those around him to collaborate and explore and divulge truly impressive music. This much was evident at the Billboard show, a crowded mass of people with gleeful faces enjoying the fact that they were playing song after song that we knew, and loved.

We didn't need them to kick each other in the head or rip microphones from each other.

Anton's finest and only interaction with the crowd was to respond to a fan who yelled out "You're amazing...!"

Anton muttered "Thanks Dad," and then after a delicious pause, added "Man, you pay a guy 10 bucks to say that and he waits the whole damn show before doin' it."

Anaya Latter