J Mascis

J Mascis first gained recognition as the distant frontman for the pioneering indie trio Dinosaur Jr., though he has also maintained an independent path as a solo artist while taking on sporadic roles as a producer and scorer of films. Whereas Dinosaur Jr. recordings emphasize his relaxed singing style alongside his intense, loud guitar approach, his solo output has often explored alternate avenues. His more amplified tendencies surfaced clearly across a pair of releases with the side project J Mascis + the Fog—More Light in 2000 and Feel So Free in 2002—while he later revisited earlier material in stripped-down acoustic arrangements on the 2021 collection Fed Up and Feeling Strange: Live and in Person 1993-1998. At the same time, he explored subtler semi-acoustic textures with a more intimate lyrical focus on Several Shades of Why in 2011 and What Do We Do Now in 2024.

Born December 10, 1965, in Amherst, Massachusetts, Mascis first appeared in the hardcore outfit Deep Wound before starting Dinosaur in 1984. Once it became clear that another group in San Francisco already used the name the Dinosaurs, Mascis and his colleagues altered the band’s name to Dinosaur Jr. Through well-received albums such as You’re Living All Over Me in 1987 and Bug in 1988, Dinosaur Jr. established itself among alternative rock’s most respected acts, with Mascis’ distinctive, Neil Young-like vocals and massive guitar lines shaping the emerging grunge sound. The band split temporarily in 1989, mainly so the famously reticent frontman could remove bassist Lou Barlow, who subsequently formed Sebadoh; during the hiatus Mascis played drums for various groups including the Velvet Monkeys and GobbleHoof, and he even produced the latter’s self-titled 1990 album.

Following Dinosaur Jr.’s 1991 reunion on Green Mind, Mascis composed the score for Allison Anders’ independent feature Gas Food Lodging the next year and appeared briefly in the film. He and Anders maintained a working relationship on later projects, notably her film Grace of My Heart. Mascis also produced albums for associates such as fIREHOSE on Mr. Machinery Operator and Tad on Inhaler, before releasing his own acoustic solo debut Martin + Me in 1996.

After Hand It Over appeared in 1997, Dinosaur Jr. disbanded once more. Mascis continued his varied musical pursuits with the new group the Fog, which delivered More Light in fall 2000. The album featured contributions from avant-garde guitarist Kevin Shields and Guided by Voices singer Robert Pollard, offering a strong return that pleased fans who had found his earlier acoustic release less satisfying. A subsequent tour with Elf Power included longtime associate Mike Watt on bass and Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton for several dates. The heavy riffing sessions with Asheton and Watt, together with a series of skydiving outings, shaped much of the material Mascis began writing for the next record. (Iggy Pop later noted that press coverage of the Mascis/Watt/Asheton dates first prompted him to consider reuniting the Stooges, an event that occurred in 2003.) When Mascis and the Fog returned to the studio, guest appearances were kept minimal, resulting in Feel So Free for a 2002 release.

During the following decade Mascis concentrated much of his energy on drumming, appearing in Witch, Sweet Apple, and Upsidedown Cross. After Merge Records reissued the first three Dinosaur Jr. albums in 2005, the original members Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph reunited for a tour. The shows proved successful enough that Dinosaur Jr. resumed regular activity, returning to the studio for the 2007 album Beyond and maintaining a steady schedule of recording and touring thereafter.

Following the release of the unconventional tribute J + Friends Sing + Chant for Amma in 2005, Mascis signed with Sub Pop and delivered Several Shades of Why, an introspective, largely acoustic collection, in 2011. Tied to a Star in 2014 continued along similar lines, while Elastic Days in 2018 blended acoustic and electric elements. The three-volume live set Fed Up and Feeling Strange: Live and in Person 1993-1998 appeared in 2021, gathering previously issued solo acoustic performances from Martin + Me and a 1993 CBGB’s show alongside unreleased recordings from a 1998 concert in Denmark.

On his fifth solo album, What Do We Do Now, Mascis incorporated fuller drum sounds and distorted electric guitar lines more prominently than on prior releases under his own name. B-52s member Ken Mauri contributed keyboards throughout, and Matthew “Doc” Dunn supplied steel guitar. The album came out on Sub Pop in February 2024.