Dinosaur Jr. have had a brilliant run. It’s mind boggling to consider they are now marking 30 years since the release of their debut album, but that’s exactly what they’re doing with seven (count ’em, 7!) consecutive nights at Bowery Ballroom beginning tomorrow night – Thursday, December 3rd, 2015.
As legend has it, J Mascis and Lou Barlow met as high school students after Barlow – as a guitar player – placed an ad for a drummer at Main Street Records in Northampton, Massachusetts. The two made loud aggressive noises together as half of Deep Wound for a couple of years before that band dissolved and Dinosaur (not Jr. initially) emerged with drummer Murph completing the trio in 1984. The transition was a significant one as J Mascis was the guitarist in the new outfit while Lou Barlow became the bass player. The debut album Dinosaur that will be played in its entirety during these shows was released the following year. In those days, the band found audiences in New York City to be more receptive to what they were doing on stage than any other town. They played on bills with bands like Swans and Sonic Youth.
Two more albums: You’re Living All Over Me and Bug followed before Lou Barlow stepped off for about 15 years. Amazingly, the trio reformed in 2005. Well, not so amazing that there was a reunion but very much so that it had legs to the extent of a decade of shows and 3 albums of the caliber of Beyond, Farm, and I Bet On Sky.
It promises to be a week to remember. Special guests are expected to turn up each night.
