Dinosaur Jr. has returned with a new album called There Near, the band’s first since Sweep It Into Space (2021). So while you’re cranking the first single, “Several Got Away”, here are a few random facts about the band for those new to the blistering beauty of J Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph.
Lou Barlow’s Other Bands Are Great Too
Most think of J Mascis when talking about Dinosaur Jr. However, bassist and vocalist Lou Barlow is an indie legend in his own right. Barlow sings two songs on the new album, and I’ll point you toward “Blowin’ Up” to hear what a Barlow-fronted Dinosaur Jr. sounds like. But Barlow’s other groups, Sebadoh and The Folk Implosion, are worth exploring for those who are unfamiliar. With Sebadoh, he helped pioneer lo-fi indie rock, recording on cassette machines and releasing heartbreaking classics like “Soul And Fire”. Then there’s The Folk Implosion’s surprise hit, “Natural One”, which appears in the 1995 Larry Clark film, Kids. Crank it!
Ear-Bleeding Country
Inspired equally by classic rock, punk, and country music, Mascis began writing songs in a new style after high school. He and Barlow had played together in Deep Wound, a hardcore band. But then Mascis slowed the tempos. And he mixed jangly chords with psychedelia in what became Dinosaur Jr.’s style of ear-bleeding country. Blending Neil Young’s fuzzed-out folk, punk’s DIY spirit and the bluesy solos of classic rock, Mascis unwittingly transformed indie rock. Dinosaur Jr. created the blueprint for Nirvana, The Lemonheads, Kurt Vile, and many others.
J and the Big Muff
In the credits of Dinosaur Jr.’s first album, Mascis lists both guitar and the Big Muff as his instruments. For non-guitarists, the Big Muff is a distortion pedal made by Electro-Harmonix, first released in 1969. Guitar legends from David Gilmour to Jack White have created their signature sounds using a Big Muff. But Mascis developed his style early on, with both the guitar and the Big Muff in tandem. Any time I hear the pedal, or when I look down and see one on my pedalboard, I immediately think of Mascis.
Photo by Stuart Westwood/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
More Lists
-
From left, Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker (1939-2019) and Jack Bruce (1943-2014) of British rock group Cream posed in their dressing room at Associated Rediffusion's Wembley Television Studios in north west London on 4th November 1966. Cream are booked to perform the songs 'Wrapping Paper' and 'N.S.U' on the music television show Ready Steady Go! at the studios. (Photo by Ivan Keeman/Redferns) -
Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic -
Photo by Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images -
Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella -
Photo by Harry Durrant/Getty Images -
Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage -
Photo by Jeff Hahne/Getty Images -
Photo by Jamie Schramm/Billboard via Getty Images