J Mascis
| J Mascis | |
|---|---|
 J Mascis at Virgin Festival in 2009. |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Joseph Donald Mascis |
| Born | December 10, 1965 |
| Origin | Amherst, Massachusetts |
| Genres | Alternative rock, doom metal, hardcore punk |
| Occupations | Musician, singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, drums, keyboards, banjo |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Associated acts | Dinosaur Jr., J Mascis + The Fog, Witch, Deep Wound, Upsidedown Cross, Sweet Apple |
| Website | www.jmascis.com |
| Notable instruments | |
| Fender Jazzmaster Fender Telecaster Fender Jaguar |
|
J Mascis (
/ˈmæskɪs/ MASS-kiss; born Joseph Donald Mascis on December 10, 1965) is an American musician, best known as the singer, guitarist and songwriter for Dinosaur Jr.. In 2011, he was ranked 86th in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Mascis was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, the son of an orthodontist. His family name is Italian, from the province of Foggia (region Puglia) in the South of Italy.[1] His mother is an avid golfer.[2]
Mascis formed the short-lived hardcore group Deep Wound with Lou Barlow, Scott Helland and Charlie Nakajima in the early 1980s. [3] He started out on drums,[4] but moved to guitar when he went on to found Dinosaur Jr. with bassist Barlow and drummer Emmett Jefferson 'Patrick' Murphy (aka 'Murph') in 1984 and achieved national success. His vocals have been described as "Neil Young-like"[5] and his guitar riffs as "monolithic." After Mascis dismissed Barlow from Dinosaur Jr. in 1989, he recorded several more Dinosaur Jr. albums until 1997, including the 1996 acoustic solo album Martin + Me.
The manager for Deep Wound was Gerard Cosloy, who then went on to found Homestead Records. Homestead released Dinosaur Jr.'s first record. Mascis says that the reason why Dinosaur Jr.'s sound is not fully formed on that record is that they were more or less automatically signed to Homestead.[6]
As a side-project, he was also the drummer in Boston doom metal group Upsidedown Cross (featuring Seth Putnam of Anal Cunt infamy), who released a self-titled album on Taang! Records in 1991.[7][8] He also wrote songs for the film Gas, Food, Lodging, and also made a cameo appearance.[7][8] In 1996, he had a small part in the movie Grace of my Heart and provided a ballad and a Beach Boys-like song for the soundtrack. He then went on to produce albums with his new band, J Mascis + The Fog, starting in 2000.
In April 2005, Mascis rejoined with Barlow and Murph, as the original trio of Dinosaur Jr., to begin a tour celebrating the re-release of the group's first three albums. They have since released two new albums; Beyond (released in 2007) and Farm (released in 2009).
In August 2005, Mascis released a new solo album under the J Mascis and Friends banner, J and Friends Sing and Chant For Amma, an album of devotional songs dedicated to Hindu religious leader Mata Amritanandamayi, or Ammachi, about whom he had previously written "Ammaring" on the first J Mascis + The Fog album More Light. The proceeds from the album are being donated to Tsunami relief efforts Ammachi's organization is spearheading.
In 2006, Mascis returned to drumming with his newly formed heavy metal band Witch for their self-titled debut album.
His wife Luisa is from Berlin, Germany. They reside in Amherst, Massachusetts and in September, 2007, they had a baby boy named Rory. Philipp Virus, his brother-in-law, is a German film maker who is currently working on a documentary on J Mascis.
July 2007 saw the release of a signature guitar by Fender, the J Mascis Signature Jazzmaster. The instrument comes in a Purple Sparkle finish and while otherwise visually similar to a standard Jazzmaster, it features a number of modifications J requested such as a tune-o-matic bridge (for improved intonation), a reinforced tremolo arm housing (for higher durability when subjected to repeated heavy bending, which the original Jazzmaster was never designed for), vintage style pickups, jumbo frets, and a satin finished neck and customised wiring.
In 2010, Mascis joined with John Petkovic and Tim Parnin of Cobra Verde and Dave Sweetapple of Witch to form Sweet Apple. The self-titled debut album was released on Tee Pee Records[9] Mascis plays drums, guitar, and sings on the album.
Mascis released a mostly acoustic album in March, 2011 titled Several Shades Of Why on Sub Pop Records.[10] He was joined in the studio by several guest musicians including Kurt Vile and Sophie Trudeau. Mascis will tour the US with Vile as support act to promote the album.[11]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Solo albums
- Martin + Me (1996)
- The John Peel Sessions (2003)
- J and Friends Sing and Chant for Amma (2005)
- J Mascis Live at CBGB's (2006)
- Several Shades of Why (2011)
[edit] Dinosaur Jr.
- Dinosaur (1985)
- You're Living All Over Me (1987)
- Bug (1988)
- Whatever's Cool With Me (1991)
- Green Mind (1991)
- Where You Been (1993)
- Without a Sound (1994)
- Hand It Over (1997)
- Beyond (2007)
- Farm (2009)
[edit] J Mascis + The Fog
- More Light (2000)
- Free So Free (2002)
[edit] Witch
- Witch - Tee Pee Records (2006)
- Paralyzed - Tee Pee Records (2008)
[edit] Deep Wound
- American Style (1982 - 7” - demo)
- Deep Wound (1983 - 7” - Radiobeat)
- Bands That Could Be God LP
- Discography (2006 - Compilation - Damaged Goods)
[edit] Upsidedown Cross
- Upsidedown Cross (1991)
- Evilution (1993)
- Witchcraft (1997)
- Sloth/Updsidedown Cross Split (2002)
[edit] Sweet Apple
- Do You Remember 7" - Valley King Records (2010)
- Love & Desperation - Tee Pee Records (2010)
[edit] Guest appearances
- In 2012 Mascis contributed lead guitar on the track Edge of the World on the album 'Space Dirt' by HydroElectric.
- In 2011 Mascis featured on the album 'Espero' by Irish musician Mark O'Connor.
- In 2010 Mascis was on Episode 7 of the Australian TV show Spicks and Specks[12]
- In 2010, Mascis played guitar on Dead Confederate's album Sugar, on the track titled "Giving it All Away."
- In 2009 Mascis is seen playing the guitar and riding a skateboard in Alien Workshop's video "Mind Field".
- In 2008, Mascis contributed to The Hold Steady's album, Stay Positive, playing banjo on the song "Both Crosses".[13]
- In 2008 Mascis contributed lead guitar, drums and vocals on the album Ocean by Devadas
- In 2007 Mascis made an appearance on Thurston Moore's second solo album, Trees Outside the Academy, which was recorded at Mascis' home studio.
- Also in 2007, Mascis played guitar and sang back-up vocals for Kevin Drew on the song "Backed out on the ...", which appeared on Drew's solo album, Spirit If....
- In 2006 Mascis added guitar tracks to select songs on The Lemonheads' comeback album, The Lemonheads.
- In 2005 Mascis played guitar and drums on the album Shine Shine On by Devadas
- In late summer 2005, Mascis helped Danish band Mew by adding vocals to the song "Why Are You Looking Grave?" and backing vocals on "An Envoy to the Open Fields". Both songs can be found on the album And the Glass Handed Kites.
- In 2002, Mascis appeared on the song "Blinded," by Jeremiah Freed.
- In 2002, Mascis went on tour with Cobra Verde when their lead guitarist Derek DePrator left the band.
- In 1995, J Mascis played guitar and drums on Mike Watt's debut solo album, including lead guitar on a cover of "Maggot Brain" by Funkadelic.
- In 1993, Mascis remixed and added vocals to the Breeders' song "Do You Love Me Now Jr?" released on the Divine Hammer E.P.
- In 1992, Mascis played bass on the Jad Fair album I Like It When You Smile.
- In 1992, Mascis appeared on the Epic Soundtracks' album Rise Above, playing drums on three tracks.
- In 1988, cameo guitar on Ciccone Youth's The Whitey Album.
- Provided the voice of J.J., the pet store employee in the Assy McGee episode "Squirrels" on July 6, 2008.
- In 1987 J Mascis played lead guitar on the GG Allin record Hated in the Nation.
[edit] References
- ^ "Mascis Family - Mascis - Family History & Genealogy Message Board - Ancestry.com". Boards.ancestry.com. http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.mascis/1/mb.ashx. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
- ^ J Mascis interviewed by Cam Lindsay, exclaim.ca, accessed 28 September 2010.
- ^ "J Mascis Kicks Lou Barlow Out of Dinosaur Jr". http://altmusic.about.com/od/historyofaltindiemusic/a/dinosaurjr.htm.
- ^ "J FILES: Dinosaur Jr / J Mascis". Abc.net.au. 2001-02-15. http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/music_specials/s1402020.htm. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
- ^ Ankeny, Jason (1965-12-10). "Biography". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p102516/biography. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
- ^ Interview with J Mascis, Underyourskin.net, accessed 27 September 2010.
- ^ a b Strong, Martin C. (1999). The Great Alternative & Indie Discography. Canongate. ISBN 0-86241-913-1.
- ^ a b Selzer, Jonathan (1991) "Signs of Life", Lime Lizard, October 1991, p. 48-9
- ^ "J Mascis Forms New Band, Sweet Apple". Pitchfork. http://pitchfork.com/news/37291-j-mascis-forms-new-band-sweet-apple/. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
- ^ "Sub Pop Records". Subpop.com. http://www.subpop.com/channel/blog/listen_to_this_j_mascis_acoustic. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
- ^ Fitzmaurice, Larry (2011-01-18). "J Mascis Tours With Kurt Vile | News". Pitchfork. http://pitchfork.com/news/41254-j-mascis-tours-with-kurt-vile/. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
- ^ Episode Guide Spicks and Specks (TV series)
- ^ Up for Discussion Jump to Forums. "The Hold Steady Details 'Positive' 4th Album". Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003797341. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
[edit] External links
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