Photo Review: Dinosaur Jr. & Mike Watt at the Ottobar

Photos by Chrissy

J Mascis's guitar will be continually echoing through my eardrums for the next month, and man am I more than okay with that. Saturday's Dinosaur Jr. show at the Ottobar was big on all levels, including decibels.

There are no surprises involved in a Dinosaur Jr. show. With a band that has helped lay the groundwork for the majority of the bands playing today, not messing around with what works is all one can ask for. Murph's drums didn't miss a beat, Lou Barlow ripped away on bass, and Mascis's guitar work schooled us all.

The new jams were great, again not shying away from their patented alternative rock and roll formula. However the set list was mostly littered with songs from previous works, welcomely heavy in tracks from their most epic LPs You're Living All Over Me and Beyond. It's refreshing to see a band reunite and not just cough up lost causes with little heart, and it's even greater when that band is Dinosaur Jr.

In a night full of icons of the trade, Mike Watt and the Missingmen opened up the evening. One of the most legendary bass players of our time proved he still had it in him, slapping and spitting his way through a pretty killer set. Churning away at some old tracks and new ones, the trio is now heading to the studio to record their next album.

Excitement Building (Dinosaur Jr.)

Tomorrow night the legends that are Dinosaur Jr. will be gracing Baltimore with their presence at the Ottobar. To say that I am a little amped for this show is quite the understatement.

With this tomorrow night, and Animal Collective playing there next weekend, I think the Ottobar might soon spontaneously combust from awesomeness. Expect detailed coverage of both completely sold out shows in the coming weeks.

Tons of other stuff to do this weekend as well, including True Vine's benefit tonight at Floristree that sports Matmos, Jana Hunter and a ton more. Please go and show some support for one of the best record stores around.

Also tonight, Jeff the Taper is sponsoring a pretty intense lineup that include the always fantastic Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad. Tons of choices, enjoy!

Dinosaur Jr. Stomping Baltimore in May

One of the most influential alternative rock bands of our time, Dinosaur Jr., will be gracing the Ottobar with its presence on May 2nd. To say that this is a show that most will be amped about doesn't do justice to the anticipation currently building.

Recently signing to Jagjaguwar, Dinosaur Jr. are recording a new album that will be out on June 23rd. Farm will be their second album after their revival, as the band's last recording before 2007's Beyond was their 1988 LP titled Bug.

Most concur that the epic trio has picked up where they left off in the late 80's, and their upcoming release titled Farm should hopefully follow suit. The band will be giving away a free 7 inch each night of the upcoming tour. This limited freebie features a live cut from the new LP, and "Tarpit" off of their classic You're Living All Over Me.

Expect detailed coverage of the gig here in May, but I wouldn't dilly dally too long on grabbing tickets for this one. Check here for some live studio footage of the band.