J Mascis Finds Time for Gaming Adventures
J Mascis, the frontman of Dinosaur Jr., has earned a reputation as a laid-back guitar legend. On stage, he stands almost motionless, effortlessly delivering intricate solos and off-kilter riffs. This same chill demeanor extends to his interviews, where he often provides succinct, noncommittal answers.
However, Mascis can be surprisingly engaging when the conversation shifts. As our chat was wrapping up, he shared a humorous anecdote from his childhood as a mini-golf enthusiast. “I had a 3-foot putt for the win” at a mini-golf tournament, he recalled, but “that’s when I realized that I was a choker … When I was 11, I choked.” This moment led him to conclude, “I should maybe not do sports.” Instead of pursuing a career in mini-golf, he went on to form one of the most influential bands in alternative rock.
While many of his peers have either disbanded or are merely coasting through performances, the original trio of Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow, and drummer Patrick Murphy continues to release new albums filled with solid rock tracks. Mascis attributes their longevity to a simple reason: “I guess we have nothing better to do.”
What might seem like frustrating indifference to an interviewer could actually be the secret to Mascis’ enduring success. His approach to creativity and his career appears to be about going with the flow and not overanalyzing things. For their latest album, *There Near*, he mentioned that the band “just didn’t push it.” They avoided marathon studio sessions and didn’t obsess over perfecting every detail. Instead, Mascis would come in with fully prepared demos, and they would start recording right away, even while Barlow and Murphy were still getting familiar with their parts, “on the off chance that it comes together quickly.”
This relaxed mindset also extends to his gear preferences. Mascis describes himself as “kind of a tube purist guy,” but admits it can be inconvenient, so he uses whatever works best. He records to tape but also tracks in Pro Tools.
When it comes to designing signature guitars with Fender, he maintains a straightforward approach. “I try to do the important things that I want, but not make it too complicated … I think it’s better to keep it kind of cheap … just so people can do what they want with it.” His primary focus is on the neck. “I’m a sucker for jumbo frets, and if the neck is good and the frets and stuff, that’s the main thing. Most of the other stuff, you know, you can swap out if you want.”
However, his laid-back attitude has drawn some criticism. Two years ago, he released a video for his solo track “Old Friends” created with generative AI. When discussing it, he remarked, “Yeah, just some kid did it. I thought it looked cool, so… Yeah, that’s dipping my toes into the… I don’t do much with videos.” He acknowledged the controversy, admitting, “But yeah, I guess that’s a slippery slope.”
Mascis also expressed skepticism about AI in music production, stating that while he doesn’t see a place for it, it’s a reality we must face. “I guess we’re learning how to deal with it. And hopefully it won’t kill us all.”
The one topic that seems to ignite strong feelings in him is the band’s notoriously loud live shows. After attending a recent performance at the intimate Baby’s All Right, I finally understood the need for earplugs. “I noticed the audience too seems more desperate for something kind of reality-based,” he said, revealing a glimpse of his purist side. “We don’t have in-ear monitors or click tracks. We have amps, and I think some people are responding to the reality of it. Like they really need something that’s not, you know, computer-generated or something.”
He lamented the lack of amps on stage, noting that he plays in front of three full stacks, even in small venues. “It’s very weird. Now, soundmen create the sound instead of capturing the sound,” he observed. His appreciation for the raw power of live music and the direct connection with the audience makes his indifference to AI all the more puzzling.
Dinosaur Jr. is currently on tour in the US promoting *There Near*, which is available now.
