Music >> Artists >> Alternative
Genre:
Alternative

Years Active:
'80s, '90s, '00s, '10s






J Mascis

Biography

Best known as the remote frontman of the influential indie trio Dinosaur Jr., J Mascis has also been an occasional producer and film composer. Born December 10, 1965 in Amherst, Massachusetts, he first emerged as a member of the hardcore unit Deep Wound, founding Dinosaur in 1984. Over the course of acclaimed LPs like 1987's You're Living All Over Me and 1988's Bug, the group emerged among the most highly regarded in alternative rock, with Mascis' creaky, Neil Young-like vocals and monolithic guitar leads becoming primary influences on the burgeoning grunge movement. The group temporarily disbanded in 1989, largely to allow the legendarily non-communicative singer the opportunity to dismiss bassist Lou Barlow, who went on to form Sebadoh; in the meantime, Mascis sat in on drums with a series of bands, among them the Velvet Monkeys and GobbleHoof, even producing the latter's eponymous 1990 LP. Upon re-forming Dinosaur Jr. in 1991, he scored Allison Anders' independent film Gas Food Lodging a year later, making a cameo appearance in the picture itself; he and Anders became regular collaborators in the years to follow, most notably on her feature Grace of My Heart. Mascis also produced records for pals including fIREHOSE (Mr. Machinery Operator) and Tad (Inhaler), and in 1996 issued his solo debut, Martin + Me. . After 1997's Hand It Over, Dinosaur Jr. disbanded. Keeping on with his personal musical eclecticism, J Mascis and his new outfit, the Fog, issued More Light in fall 2000. Featuring appearances from avant-garde guitarist Kevin Shields and Guided by Voices vocalist Bob Pollard, the record was a fine return to form that excited Dinosaur Jr. fans who had been disappointed with his acoustic record. A tour with Elf Power followed, featuring longtime friend Mike Watt on bass and Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton at several tour dates. It was his riff-heavy jams with Asheton and Watt, as well as several skydiving experiences, that inspired much of the music he started writing for his follow-up. When he stepped back into the studio, he kept the guest appearances down to a minimum and recorded Feel So Free for a 2002 release. Over the course of the next ten years, Mascis devoted a good share of his time to drums, performing in Witch, Sweet Apple, and Upsidedown Cross, and in 2005, after Merge Records reissued the first three Dinosaur Jr. albums, the original lineup of Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph reunited for a tour. The tour went well enough that Dinosaur Jr. became a going concern again, returning to the studio to record a new album, 2007's Beyond. Meanwhile, Mascis also continued his solo career, releasing three solo acoustic-based albums: 2005's J + Friends Sing + Chant for Amma, 2011's Several Shades of Why, and 2014's Tied to a Star.

Top Albums


1. Martin + Me
Several Shades of Why, J Mascis
2. Several Shad..
Tied to a Star, J Mascis
3. Tied to a St..
J + Friends Sing + Chant for AMMA, J Mascis
4. J + Friends ..
One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), J Mascis
5. One Track He..
Stop Draggin' My Heart Around (feat. Adalita & J Mascis) - Single, RocKwiz
6. Stop Draggin..
Circle - Single, J Mascis
7. Circle - Sin..
Leavin' On a Jet Plane / Too Hard - Single, J Mascis
8. Leavin' On a..

Top Songs

NameAlbumTimePrice
1.
Every MorningTied to a Star3:57$1.29
2.
Wide AwakeTied to a Star3:30$1.29
3.
Me AgainTied to a Star4:24$1.29
4.
AnticipationMartin + Me2:56$1.29
5.
Boy With the Thorn In His SideMartin + Me1:57$1.29
6.
Better PlaneTied to a Star3:51$1.29
7.
Come DownTied to a Star5:33$1.29
8.
Trailing OffTied to a Star4:20$1.29
9.
DrifterTied to a Star2:46$1.29
10.
And ThenTied to a Star4:14$1.29
11.
StumbleTied to a Star3:30$1.29
12.
Heal the StarTied to a Star4:34$1.29
13.
Not EnoughSub Pop 1013:13$0.99
14.
PrisonersMusic Is You (A Tribute To ..3:12$1.29
15.
Another Level Opening UpOne Track Heart: The Story ..5:44$0.99
16.
Krishna Das Was Crying (feat. Devada..One Track Heart: The Story ..7:21$0.99
17.
It Was RealOne Track Heart: The Story ..3:50$0.99
18.
By the 10th HitOne Track Heart: The Story ..4:25$0.99
19.
I've Been ThinkingCircle - Single3:35$0.99
20.
CircleCircle - Single3:23$0.99
21.
Why Are You Looking Grave?Mew and the Glass Handed Ki..3:50$0.99
22.
What HappenedSeveral Shades of Why4:38$0.99
23.
Can ISeveral Shades of Why5:25$0.99
24.
Too DeepSeveral Shades of Why2:30$0.99
25.
Where Are YouSeveral Shades of Why3:59$0.99

Top Music Videos

Been There All the Time, Dinosaur Jr.
1. Been There Al...
Is It Done, J Mascis
2. Is It Done
Not Enough, J Mascis
3. Not Enough
Blaze, Firehose
4. Blaze
Witness, Firehose
5. Witness
Prisoners, J Mascis & Sharon Van Etten
6. Prisoners


Comments



US iTunes, App Store, iBookstore, and Mac App Store
US iTunes, App Store, iBookstore, and Mac App Store

Become a fan of the Show Up Music on Facebook for exclusive offers, the inside scoop on latest and most exclusive music albums, singles and videos.