While The Dandy Warhols struggle through their own record label woes to a position near the top of the modern-rock pantheon, Newcombe hits bottom. Even his stalwart band members like Gion can't take it any more. But like Robert De Niro in Cape Fear, Newcombe keeps coming back. Though a new generation of bands may admire his music, one would hesitate to place a bet on a breakout success for the Brian Jonestown Massacre in the twenty-first century. Still, in Newcombe's mind, his "revolution" has occurred, and he may have a point.

The only negative thing I can say about this movie is that while it follows The Dandy Warhols' career into 2002, it seems to leave Newcombe at an earlier time, and at a low ebb. The fact is, far from flaming out like Jim Morrison, he has apparently kicked the heroin habit and continues to make vital music. So bear in mind that one of the film's primary subjects doesn't think it treats him fairly.

That doesn't affect its artistic quality. It won the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Sundance, and it wins my award for best music documentary of recent years. It's not just interesting and sad, it's darn funny. Rife with hearty bitching, slapstick violence and excessive partying, it rocks the viewer through a rattling amusement park ride of emotions. When Newcombe hits bottom, you feel a catharsis. When the Dandys hit it big in Europe, you feel joy for them. See it even if you don't follow, or even like, indie rock.

Dig! opens in New York and Los Angeles this weekend, and in other cities later in October.