Anyone who has beared witness to seeing grunge originators Dinosaur Jr live in concert would be well aware of the ear-deafening volume that resonates from the stage as Mascis and his co-horts bash through some of the noisiest yet melodic song structures and arrangements ever combined and put to tape.
They have this formula that has worked for over 30 years and when something is this good, why change it? Well tonight things have changed as after two stunning solo albums on legendary Seattle label, Sub Pop, J Mascis is doing away with the wall of Marshall Amps and Fender Jazzmasters in exchange for acoustic guitars and a practice amp in what is to be a more laid back, relaxing, and mellow evening; something completely different to what Dinosaur Jr’s fans are used to. In fact, it could best be said that tonight’s show was probably better suited to Valentine’s Day as opposed to the superstitious evils of Friday the 13th.
Opening the show was none other than Melbourne’s very own Adalita who on the strength of two solo albums has captivated audiences repeatedly with some of the most honest, gut wrenching and heartfelt music one could ever treat their ears too. Her use of the less is more approach to playing live works in her favour and each song is delivered with passion and heart. ‘Hot Air’ would have to be one of the most intense yet prettiest songs you will ever hear on record and hearing it live will send shivers down your spine with its epic build-up of distortion and sweet vocals.
It has to be said that J Mascis is a man of few words. Greeting the eagerly awaiting attendees with a simple ‘hello’, he got straight down to it. Uttering no more than around 20 words the whole night, the minimal interaction didn’t matter and any Dinosaur Jr fan would know that Mascis has never really been much of a talker because his music is the centrepiece and focus.
Being a multi-instrumentalist armed with an abundance of talent and skill, even with the occasional hiccup or bum note, you couldn’t argue with the heartfelt performance. Mascis has this incredible way of translating his message through notes and chords to create an atmosphere that is at times haunting, sometimes melancholic but always emotive. He manages to fuse his talent through a simple acoustic guitar, a variety of effects pedals, and his signature tortured heartbroken vocals. Mixed together it simply just works.
Mascis received quite a lot of hype the past few months over his cover of Mazzy Star’s beautiful single, ‘Fade Into You’. It was only just that Mascis played it for those in attendance tonight and it went down a treat. So well, in fact, that one punter decided it was deemed worthy of power ballad status raising his lighter in the air amidst a star struck audience that held onto every note. This performance really was something else that one had to witness to fully appreciate the heart and soul that Mascis poured into it.
The real gold here, and let’s be honest, was the re-working of the Dinosaur Jr tracks. While his solo albums are nothing short of perfect blends of acoustic guitars and harmonies, it has to be said that it was Dinosaur classics like ‘Little Furry Things’, the heartbreaking ‘Get Me’, their inherited cover of the Cure’s ‘Just Like Heaven’, or the should-have-been-a-huge-hit-single ‘Freak Scene’, were the big winners here.
Even heavier numbers like ‘Out There’ or the obscure rocker of ‘Not You Again’ took on a whole new life as they were dished out in their most stripped back form. Well, besides the use of effects and fuzz pedals that he used frequently at loud volume proving that once again, even with a quiet mellow intimate vibe such as tonight, the need for his trademark wall of noise was a must and mixed with the incredible acoustics of the Melbourne Recital Hall, it was nothing short of sheer aural bliss.
