DINOSAUR JR RELEASE THEIR FIRST EVER DVD

When J Mascis and Lou Barlow splintered apart in 1989, it was largely understood that Dinosaur Jr would never roam again in its original lineup. The band, who is today recognized as one of music’s first great alt-rock acts, released three cult masterpieces (Dinosaur, You’re Living All Over Me and Bug) before J Mascis re-formed Dinosaur Jr with Murph and a new bassist, and Lou went on to start Sebadoh & Folk Implosion.

That was almost twenty years ago. So while Dinosaur Jr’s deafening guitar and glorious melodies were paving the way for musical acts like Nirvana, in the video world VHS had just beaten out Betamax as the format of choice – not exactly "high definition." Before the compact disc had even entered the race, Dinosaur Jr in its original line-up was extinct.

Fortunately, 2005 brought us the seemingly impossible reunion of the still definitive alt-rock trio, and a tour that critics hailed "a glorious show…savage as ever" (The New York Times – July 16, 2005) and "…alive and thrilling" (Rolling Stone – August 11, 2005). Now, on the heels of the release of new studio material titled Beyond (May 1, 2007 – Fat Possum Records), Dinosaur Jr documents their epic reunion tour, and the potent performances of those classic songs that first established them as a monumental musical force, in their first ever DVD release.

Titled Dinosaur Jr.: Live From the Middle East (Image Entertainment – May 29, 2007), this full length concert DVD was filmed largely at Boston’s Middle East, as well as at New York’s legendary Irving Plaza and other shows along the band’s December 2005 tour.

With unfettered access to this famously elusive band, fans can expect one-on-one interviews, behind the scenes goings-on and a full set of performances of Dinosaur Jr favorites, all recorded along the band’s recent reunion tour. The DVD features performance footage of 18 Dinosaur Jr songs originally recorded on their classic first albums: Dinosaur, You’re Living All Over Me and Bug. In addition, Dinosaur Jr.: Live from the Middle East offers the band’s 2005 interview at the WXPN’s renowned World Cafe studios, and interview appearances by Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore, Mike Watt, Matt Dillon, and others.

SONG LIST: Gargoyle – Kracked – Bulbs of Passion – Little Fury Things – Lose – Forget the Swan – The Post – Budge – The Lung – The Wagon – Raisans – SludgeFeast – Mountain Man – Chunks – Freak Scene – In a Jar – Repulsion – Just Like Heaven

The DVD was directed by Gold In Berlin, which is run by Mascis’ brother in-law, German filmmaker Phillip Virus.
Look for Dinosaur Jr on tour in 2007.

I almost don’t need this DVD because that MidEast show is permanently burned into my brain… but I still can’t wait to see it again… and again… and again…. and again!