As part of a group of premier bands for the children of Gen X, Dinosaur Jr. was formed in 1983 in Amherst, Massachusetts, in the wake of lead member J (Joseph) Mascis' previous band, Deep Wound. Along with bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph (Emmett Murphy), the trio began putting together albums that favored the new sound of postpunk. Though it would be another six years before briefly making it to the mainstream, their third album "Bug" was released as the band reached their career zenith. Thanks to the lead-off track, "Freak Scene," the band was put into the college radio hit list of other American alt-rock acts like Sonic Youth and R.E.M. Dinosaur Jr. parted ways in 1997, but reunited in 2005 with all three original members.
Dinosaur Jr. Performs Bug Live at 9:30 Club: In the Hands of the Fans, directed by the brainchild of "The Year Punk Broke," Dave Markey, was shot by six expert cameramen chosen by the band from submitted videos. One contestant was even invited out by Lou Barlow to lend his deafening vocals for an ear-shattering rendition of "Don't."
Bonus features include an interview between each of the winning contestants and the band, as well as an on-stage band interview with notable fan and punk idol Henry Rollins. The entire production includes Rollins as a guest, as well as Mike Watt, Keith Morris, and Ian MacKaye.
About four out of the six perspectives shot are terrific and demonstrate the perfect concert video setting. Now blonde and sounding great, almost in key with the band, J Mascis could easily be mistaken for a grunge Edgar Winter, his moody voice and lyrics set well with the anti-pop attitude of the 90's alternative sound. Both Lou and Murph produce the sound that is still unmistakably Dinosaur Jr. I recommend this to both 90's rock lovers and especially Dinosaur Jr. fans -- you won't be disappointed.
