I recently bought a backissue of a cool German fanzine, Roadtracks which contains a J Mascis interview from 2002.

The fanzine is mostly about Alternative Country, I didn’t know many of the other artists, but it impressed me how devoted the producers are to their subject, the way they write about the musicians & music made me want to get to know that kind of music better

I translated the interview for you all to enjoy.

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J Mascis interview in the German fanzine "Roadtracks" #10 (2003)

J Mascis
Gandulf, the Grey

by Melvin/Katrin

When the boss told me to talk to the former Dinosaur Jr chief, I got shivers. Would he also hit and defame me, like he did to the poor Louis Barlow (as seen in the video clip of Sonic Youth’s "Teenage Riot") or would the master be gracious to me? He is known as a dreaded interview partner anyways. I had the chance to find it out on December 18, 2002 in the Frankfurt venue Mousonturm.

Do you like interviews?
Not really, but that’s different, it also depends on the person, I think, when you’re asked stupid questions like "why aren’t you rich and famous", then you’re not that involved anymore.

On your record the word freedom occurs very often. What means freedom to you?
The final goal in life means to be free. I think the Americans have lost their freedom on 09/11, you feel claustrophobic now in the US.

Do you still live in Boston?
No, but about 2 hours away from Boston, still in Massachusetts, but I’m more often in New York, which is about 3 hours away.

In recordings, do you really play all instruments?
Not everything, but most of it. There is also always a sound engineer around, so I don’t do everything on my own.

But isn’t it more interesting to work with other musicians in studio?
yeah, it’s cooler, but I don’t like rehearsals and explaining tracks, so it’s hard for me to work together with others on recordings.

Do you prefer analog or digital recordings?
Analog recordings. The sound is just better. On a digital recording the high and low frequences are cut off. Further it’s just more fun to record with tapes than staring at the computer all the time.

Why do you bring out your records under your own name now, and not anymore under the name Dinosaur Jr?
Because Dinosaur Jr broke up.
(That’s weird, because he also recorded the last Dinosaur Jr records almost on his own.)

What do you prefer? live shows or studio recordings?
I don’t know. live shows are just for the actual moment, a record is for eternity.
I can’t remember most of the live shows, but I suppose I liked them.

Do you play a pure acoustic set on this tour?
yeah, almost. I also bring a fuzzbox and some other effects with me, so it will be a bit noisier than a pure acoustic set.

Which bands do you listen to?
oh, there are thousands. Today for example I listened to Bevis Frond, Magazine and Ol’ Dirty Bastard.

Are you also interested in German bands?
I like Kraftwerk and EA80.

How did it come to the cooperation with the Beachwood Sparks?
They supported me on a tour and then they wanted to record in my studio.

I’ve heard you’re a passionate skydiver? Did this influence your last record?
well folks, I’m sorry, but to be honest I never tried this. I was also surprised when I read this, but I’m afraid it has come to wrong impressions in some interviews. When I told the truth to a Norwegian journalist, he was so disappointed that he quit the interview.

Is it true that you once played in GG Allin’s backing band?
Only for one show. And i think it wasn’t a good idea to play with them because it was terrible, GG smashed the mike in his face, sh** on stage … everything was full of blood and people threw bottles at us, after 4 songs the show was over.