Dec 29th 2006
Interview with Lou Barlow
Words: Michael Spadoni and PJ Cheng

Consider ourselves lucky because two belated Christmas gifts will be given to the city of Tampa in January: The 13th Annual Tampa Am and a once-in-a-lifetime Dinosaur Jr. concert. To secure a legendary act, especially one that has just recently reformed after nearly a decade-long hiatus, is a feat that only enhances the props already gained worldwide by Skatepark Of Tampa. Don’t try and figure it out, just accept it. We’re about to witness a historical event on multiple levels.

The annual Tampa Am is known internationally for its fierce skating competition that always seems to exploit a few diamonds in the rough. You’ll wonder why some of these kids don’t have their own video game yet. Street and Vert battles will pursue for days, eventually sifting out the one amateur that will take home the coveted title along with the clout this contest accredits.

Sprinkled throughout the 4-day event are free welcome parties, art shows and one highly anticipated rock show featuring nineties-college radio favorites, Dinosaur Jr., who will be here to support The SPOT’s 14 year existence. Their style crosses over a variety of genres and every fan sees them differently: from alternative rock to metal pop to post-punk. However you choose to label them, Dinosaur Jr. albums contain squalling guitar work, liberal use of crash cymbals, melodic bass lines and J Mascis’ raspy pipes in which he croons out such pop-laden lyrics. Combined with the signature guitar solo that accompanies each track, Dinosaur Jr. might be hard to define, but their sound is easily distinguishable. 120 Minutes is long gone and the legion of fans that grew up to songs like Freak Scene and Little Fury Things have thrown out their grunge garb for more professional attire, but the albums continue to hold their weight amongst today’s trendy music scene long after the original members disbanded. J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph have matured as well and perhaps that was the missing ingredient to reforming for a world tour as well as recording new material with more equally creative input. Fresh off their latest gig playing All Tomorrow’s Parties’ Nightmare Before Christmas festival, we caught up with Barlow to inquire about the reunion, the new album, and whether or not everyone’s getting along.

REAX: Is Dinosaur Jr.’s recent reemergence based on trying to influence a new generation of fans, placate your devoted fans, or to make amends with each other?
Lou Barlow: Actually none of the above… I would say we’re doing it so we have something to do next year. It gives us a reason to keep touring and we have new songs to play live to help invigorate the reunion process.

REAX: Who was the first one who suggested the reformation of Dinosaur Jr.?
LB: I think it was J’s [Mascis] manager. He was really the architect behind it all. He did something that I never thought would be possible. But, over the years I started to find myself in the same room as J with minimal tension; I never thought because of that we would end up playing together again. J’s manager is kind of a young guy who’s very ambitions. He said, “You know J, a reunion would really work to coincide with your reissues coming out.’ And J’s like, “Well, whatever… call Lou, call Murph, whatever, do your worst.â€