Photos/Review: Dinosaur Jr. – Brooklyn Bowl, Williamsburg – 1/18/2010

All photos by Bill Shouldis

I saw Dinosaur Jr. a few years back at Philadelphia’s Electric Factory, during their first wave of reunion shows with the original lineup. I remember that show being basically a “greatest hits” set, since they were only playing stuff off their first three records. Since then, the band has toured pretty relentlessly and put out two records (2007′s Beyond and last year’s Farm). So needless to say, it was a bit different this time around. But it was neither better or worse, it was just, simply put, awesome to see them again.

This was also the first real show I saw at Brooklyn Bowl too and I must say, it’s a pretty awesome venue. I went to a party there before but I spent most of my time in the restaurant section drinking and sampling all the different Brooklyn Lagers on tap. Bowling, beer & bands; can’t go wrong with that. My friends who got to the show at bit earlier than I said they were actually bowling right next to Dino bassist Lou Barlow. Apparently, he’s a pretty damn good bowler too. Keeping in the spirit of the night I suppose, he left his bowling shoes on for the performance (see picture above).

Read more after the jump.

Even in a huge place like Brooklyn Bowl, the band’s sound was booming. I mean, with a mountain of Marshalls behind both J Masics and Lou Barlow, what would you expect? The set consisted of mostly newer songs but the band dug into their back catalog a bit. The band even played the non-Barlow-associated “Feel The Pain,” which is probably their most well-known song in the alt-rock world. I didn’t know that they were actually playing anything that Barlow didn’t participate with. My highlight was the set-closing cover of The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven,”  which was featured on the Dino’s classic second full-length You’re Living All Over Me.

As expected, Mascis put his Guitar God skills on full display with a few jammy guitar solos several times during the set. Barlow and Murph looked they were having a blast on stage playing together too, which pushed the energy of the set way up. Each song was played with some precision and skill. Bands wish they could sound as tight as Dinosaur Jr.

Dinosaur Jr. is much more of a band now than they were five years ago. No longer volatile and not (outwardly atleast) battling any personal turmoil. I think people have almost forgotten they were even broken up for such a long time. That isn’t a bad thing though.

When you see the Pixies, you know they aren’t the best of friends but they do what they do because people will play good money to see them play together. I think it’s a bit different with Dino. Apart from actually creating new music together, I think they realize they are at their best when the three are on stage together. So, hey, are they great friends? Who knows! But they still are creating together and avoiding the nostalgia trap. I’ll raise a glass to that anyday.

More pictures below.

Best shirt ever?