For over 30 years, Dinosaur Jr. have been the unassuming poster boys for slacker rock. Their unconventional style, the simple and relatable songwriting, and a lackadaisical attitude has won them the hearts of many. Few bands have achieved a legacy like theirs without even really trying, and they still continue to make new fans to this day. Even just the site of the silver-haired J Mascis to the side of the stage garners a rapturous applause before they have even struck a single chord.
Mascis, joined by the classic line up of bass player Lou Barlow, Murph on drums, walk out like a band playing your local bar; except your local probably wouldnāt be able to facilitate the wall of speaker cabinets that dwarf Mascis. They launch straight into āThe Lungā, which leads to their heart warming classic, āGet Me.ā Mascis shreds through every solo with ease, and the fuzz driven riffs are played at a searing volume. Barlow hurls himself around as he attacks his bass, while Murph is unrelenting, pounding his kit as if it said something to annoy him.
The newer songs from their excellent album, āGive A Glimpse of What Yer Notā sound perfect next to the ever familiar āLittle Fury Thingsā, and they run through the 7ā version of āThe Wagonā, complete with an additional drummer and guitarist for extra attack. Mascis has never been one for long speeches in between songs, and simply just address the crowd when he needs to, introducing the occasional song. He doesnāt need to do much talking; everyone knows these songs, and they embrace them with nothing but love.
Unsurprisingly, āFeel The Painā, āStart Choppinā, and āFreak Sceneā get a huge reaction from the already adoring crowd. Mascis may not be the strongest of vocalists, and the high notes on āI Walk For Milesā are clearly a struggle for him to reach. If this was a new band you could be more critical. But this is Dinosaur Jr. and itās all part of their charm.
Their set breezes by in the same frantic fashion as their songs, and before you can blink they are off stage. They return for similarly frantic encore, which includes a surprising cover of āTraining Groundā from the pre-Dinosaur Jr. hardcore band, Deep Wound. It leads into their dystopian cover of The Cureās āJust Like Heavenā, which no matter how many times you hear it still hits you straight in the heart.
The mould was broken when they made Dinosaur Jr., and the best part about the band is they seem oblivious to the legacy they have created. They donāt need to change, they donāt need to be different, just keep doing what they do. As long as Dinosaur Jr. are making music, the world will be a much better place.
GLEN BUSHELL
