Tonight's legendary events took place
in Bristol's Fiddlers Club, which was absolutely
packed to capacity. This being my first time at
the Fiddlers Club it took me a little time to
find the place and I missed the opening act but
luckily I got their before the heroic 1970's band
that massively influenced the grunge movement
that got me into music took to the stage.
The opening track "See It on Your Side"
from the 2012 album "I Bet on Sky" kicked
off the set with a howl. J Mascis grain heavy
guitar sound that gave the band its distinctive
raw sound was on top form. Whilst the vocals were
a bit strained the sound of the band was incredible,
and having seen over a hundred bands in the last
year (probably a lot more in fact), when I say
incredible I really mean it. How any one person
can get that sound out of a guitar and look so
calm and relaxed while doing so is truly baffling.
Dinosaur Jr performing in a venue of 500 people
most of whom have loved them for decades (only
one and a bit in my case, but hey I wasn't born
until after their third album) could have played
anything and people would still consider seeing
them in such an intimate scene a dream come true
(especially considering their 8 year break up).
That being said it can make people hypercritical,
longing for a song and being let down after finally
seeing them live, though no one was going home
disappointed tonight. With 10 albums they managed
to fit in a track or two from nearly all of them,
a number from "I Bet on Sky" and few
surprises. Whilst there were a few tracks missing
("Pick Me Up" from the first album since
reforming "Beyond", with its two minuet
long soloesk guitar riff among my list) they would
have to play a 5 set to fit in all the ones you
want to hear, much like Foo Fighters and Blink-182
you accept there will be some tracks you won't
hear but if they play a fair few including most
of the sing a long's your more than happy. And
they did.
As they powered through "Budge", "The
Wagon", "Don't Pretend You Didn't Know",
"Watch the Corners", "Crumble",
"Rude" "Out There" and "Feel
the Pain" with J's guitar howling away the
memorable lines new and old. Lou Barlow's bass
reinforcing the melody wrapped in the heavily
distorted guitar, as well throwing in some vocals
from time to time. Barlow was the main entertainment
other than the music, throwing in a few humorous
comments about them being an example of what you
can achieve even if you didn't to college (university
for the English) before muttering about being
broke and regretting his decision, attempting
a southern English accent and during the only
real break to the set stating it was because "our
drummers urinating, that's what happens when you
get old". The whole show reminded me of when
I was 16 going to see a Led Zeppelin cover band
and getting to drink a beer even though I couldn't
get served. The style and skill of the music is
very much lost today shamefully, and this blast
from the past was an incredible experience, reminding
me of why I fell in love with music in the first
place. I had to constantly pull myself back from
the brink of nostalgia before I day dreamed away
the entire gig.
Barlow took lead vocals for the next track "Training
Ground", a cover of hardcore band Deep Wound,
the first group formed by J and Barlow. The fast
passed track got a few people jumping around at
the front but this gig was move that of a long
time love and appreciation with most people standing
in awe, singing along and finding enough space
to clap and cheer at the end.
As the set was nearing the end the sing a longs
started to come in full flow with, "In a
Jar", "Start Chopping" and a line
for line rendition by the crowd during "Freak
Scene" the opening track from the 1888 album
"Bug". "Forget the Swan" was
the final track before the cheers for more kicked
in. After returning to the stage Dinosaur Jr kicked
the crowd into overdrive with their famous and
one of the best covers of all time, their version
of The Cure's "Just Like Heaven". The
whammy bar took a little beating during the first
few bars, setting this apart from the CD version.
With the whole room singing along and praying
this wouldn't be the last track of the night.
But there was one final hora with Sludgefeast
tying off the set.
After having our ears pummelled for a good hour
or two, and seeing one of the most talented guitarists
of an era and a genre playing only a few meters
away no one could ask for any more. Though almost
everyone stood still for a few minutes for fear
of missing anything. J's voice may have become
more strained but they were astounding. Flawless.
Chugging a way in a casual manner not feeling
the need to jump around or into the crowd yet
still not boring to watch, the sign of a band
that are well routed in the hearts of their fans.
I won't be forgetting this gig.
Dinosaur Jr 5/5
Review By Marc Rich
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