DINOSAUR JR, the definitive US alternative rock band, will be making their third journey to Galway to play a ‘Róisín Dubh presents...’ concert at The Black Box Theatre on Monday May 10.
The band, originally known as Dinosaur, were formed in Amherst, Massachusetts, in 1984 by J Mascis (guitar/vocals ), Lou Barlow (bass ), and Emmett Jefferson ‘Murph’ Murphy (drums ). Their debut album Dinosaur (1985 ) and live performances earned them a cult following, paving the way for You’re Living All Over Me (1987 ).
You’re Living All Over Me was, in the words of www.allmusic.com, “a turning point in American underground rock & roll”. Masics’ love of classic rock acts like Black Sabbath and Neil Young, reconfigured into an indie/alterantive style and approach was revolutionary. The heavy and distorted guitars, melodic songs, and wild guitar solos was unlike anything else around at the time.
Sonic Youth championed the band and 1988’s Bug saw the band enjoy further success. However tensions had developed between Masics and Barlow, the latter quitting to form Sebadoh in 1989. Dinosaur Jr continued on releasing Green Mind in 1991 and taking on Nirvana as support act.
The band continued on throughout the decade until 1997’s Hand It Over, when Masics decided to call it a day and pursue a solo career.
Dinosaur Jr was not to be gone forever though. In 2005 Merge reissued the first three albums which convinced Masics, Barlow, and Murph to get together and tour again. The comeback was well received and encouraged the band to record a new album.
Beyond was released in 2007 and enjoyed warm reviews. Dinosaur Jr’s comeback was hailed as a success by both public and critics and the band went one better by releasing the excellent Farm last year. Pitchfork called it “Energetic, confident, and catchy, it’s even more compelling than Beyond.”
A fine set at Electric Picnic was delivered to Irish audiences in September and three months from now we get to experience them all over again. Nice!
Support on the night comes from Built To Spill. Tickets are available from the Róisín Dubh and Zhivago.
