Venue : ABC Glasgow

Date: May 17th 2006

Review by Skivi

Going to see the original line up of Dinosaur Jr you kinda know what you’re gonna get, the original sound of Dinosaur Jr.

Abrasive, squealing, noisy, metal/indie verging on and hardcore.

And that is exactly what we got. (“It does what it says on the tin”.)

I listen to J Mascis A LOT, probably more now than in the past. Martin and Me has, with out a doubt, been my most played album in the last few years. He is generally out of tune, out of key, out of time and I’m figuring out his tits, but is the most melodic guitarist I have heard. Not since Hendrix has someone done more with a guitar.

So even though I knew what to expect the wall of sound we were subjected to was a little disappointing.

I loved hearing the tunes live but at the back where we were standing you couldn’t hear the lyrics for the overpowering guitar. I moved down the front towards the end and the vocals were clearer but only just.

But hey it’s Dino Jr. and I loved it.

J’s solos were amazing as to be expected and he said in total 5 words to the crowd as to be expected. The amazing thing was there was absolutely no communication between the band, so I’m guessing the Mascis/Barlow rift has not been settled or has resurfaced during the reunion.

Murph pummelled the drums and Lou Barlow thumped the bass.

The whole thing felt a bit haphazard but I guess that fits with their sound.

The crowd seemed happy as was I, so in the end we left after one encore with a disturbing “eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee” sound in our ears which still has not gone 24 hours later.

You’ve gotta fuckin respect that!

Lookin forward to seeing J play again but next time, hopefully, it will be a more expansive set than the limited Original line-up one has to be.

Skivipop