The guitarists J Mascis thinks everyone should hear
Dinosaur Jr rose to the top of the 1990s alternative scene thanks to their distinctive guitar sound. Crafted by J Mascis, the band’s vocalist and guitar player, his style quickly became a leading light in the birth of alt-rock and early post-punk.
Even when J Mascis put his efforts towards a solo acoustic project, his stripped-back sound still revealed his stunning guitar work. Releasing Several Shades Of Why in 2011, a gentle singer-songwriter effort, Mascis shines all on his own.
However, at the time, a conversation with The Guardian revealed that Mascis’ motivations always return to his instrument. “Generally, my songs are just some riffs slung together as an excuse for a guitar solo,” he said. With his guitar sounds always leading the way in Dinosaur Jr and his solo work, it’s no wonder that Mascis has become one of the most respected players in the genre.
But who does he respect? Mascis’ own inspirations and influences are a mixed bag, including players across rock, folk, hardcore and beyond. It seems he’s had the pleasure of working with many of his biggest idols, and he includes Graham Glise on his list of guitarists you need to hear. Glise is the guitarist in one of Mascis’ other projects, Witch, where Mascis actually sits as the drummer, already standing as a huge statement of trust and respect in the guitar player.
“When I play drums, I need somebody who’s really on it, somebody to hold it down. I like to have a guitarist who’s really solid so I don’t have to worry about holding it together myself,” Mascis says of Glise. However, their styles and influences differ greatly, with Glise’s style being described as “classic rock meets hardcore,” Mascis said, before adding: “Which is interesting; he doesn’t know any indie rock, he doesn’t know who Thurston Moore is. The sound that comes out is something like UFO or Thin Lizzy mixed with Black Flag.”
Another collaborator that Mascis picks out as an all-time favourite is Kurt Vile, whose style leans more towards folk than hardcore. Vile joined Mascis to play on “about half of Several Shades Of Why”. It seems Mascis actually learned a thing or two from Vile, saying: “I like the way he uses pedals with acoustic guitars. He gets some interesting sounds and textures that I haven’t really heard before and fills the space in an interesting way.”
Other additions to his list come in the form of folk musician Rick Tomlinson. As Mascis says: “People think folk music is simplistic, but it’s hard to play that way convincingly; it takes a lot of commitment.”
Elisa Ambrogio of Magik Markers and Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females stand out for their intense energy, with Mascis stating: “I like anybody who just lays it out there and goes for it.”
Similarly, Derek Stanton of Awesome Colour appeals to his ability to multitask, as Mascis says, “He plays lead and sings, and you don’t see that done well much these days.”
Guitarists admired by J Mascis:
- Graham Clise (Annihilation Time, Lecherous Gaze, Witch)
- Marissa Paternoster (Screaming Females)
- Kurt Vile (The War On Drugs, Kurt Vile And The Violators)
- Rick Tomlinson (Voice Of The Seven Woods, Voice Of The Seven Thunders)
- Elisa Ambrogio (Magik Markers)
- Derek Stanton (Awesome Color, Turn To Crime)
