Paint The Town Orange: Dinosaur Jr.

April 11th, 2009 - Otto's Bar - Dekalb, IL - Dinosaur Jr. w/ Awesome Color

When I set out Saturday night to attend a small venue performance by a band that has been my hands down favorite for nearly twenty years the thought that crossed my mind, as "Little Furry Things" blared through my car speakers, was what keeps them going. Why, after 25 years, would J Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph travel across the country to play Otto's in DeKalb, IL?

I entered the bar plenty early to secure a spot right in front of the stage, and stood contemplating the question of the night and anticipating the sear volume that I was about to experience. An hour later Michigan's Awesome Color took the stage, and it was clear why they were asked to tour with Dinosaur Jr. There was an energy that buzzed through crowd as the trio banged through their set. The buzz became tangible when Michael Awesome (aka Michael Troutman) grab his amp and began to rub it against his guitar. The set was tight, but the crowd was ready for something bigger, something more explosive.

As the stage was being set for Dino Jr. one of the roadies tape the set list to the stage and I stole a glance. At first I was disappointed there was only 10 songs on the list, but the I remember that a song that is typically 3 minutes can become 7 or 8 when performed by Dino Jr. As J walked out on stage someone next to me exclaimed, "He has more gray than me!". She clearly hadn't seen J since the band reformed, but yes his hair is gray. However, he clearly hasn't lost a thing. As I stood there, nearly hypnotized by all the memories of youth flooding back, I realized why J Mascis still takes the stage every night. As he stepped back against his wall of amps and soared into a 3 minute guitar solo, I could see the answer in his face. You could see that that moment still 25 years profoundly affected him. It was a near smile on the face of a stoic icon, but it was so much more as the music visibly consumed him. The night was electric, and the buzz is still audible three days later.

Dinosaur Jr. recently signed with Jagjaguwar and quickly put out (vinyl only, tour only) the new single I Don't Wanna Go There. Their first offical release on the new label will appear in June and is called Farm. (Photos by Chris Szostek)

Farm (Jag-150, June 23rd)Pieces/I Want You To Know/Ocean In The Way/Plans/Your Weather/Over It/Friends/Said The People/There's No Here/See You/I Don't Wanna Go There/Imagination Blind