Joel Gion

Brian Jonestown Massacre percussionist Joel Gion is very clever with maracas, to quote Brian Eno's "Baby's on Fire." As leader of his own band, Gion struts on similar sonic ground as BJM: 1960s-inspired psych-rock beholden to the golden guidelines set by the Beatles, the Chocolate Watchband, and the Rolling Stones (Brian Jones–era, of course). Gion has a knack for penning instantly catchy melodies, conveying a nonchalant brilliance that perfectly mirrors his onstage demeanor. He may look like he's out of his gourd while slapping tambourines with Anton Newcombe & co., but Gion has been paying attention to psychedelia's masters and creating his own savvy interpretations of it over three solid albums.