From The Japan Times online edition…

Kids dig dinosaurs (by James Hadfield)

This year, indie-rockers Dinosaur Jr. released their first album featuring the classic lineup of J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph since 1989. The JT caught up with Mascis at an elegant Shibuya cafe the day before his band played an ear-batteringly loud set at Summer Sonic.

When was the last time you were here?

The beginning of the year. I played one acoustic show. It was funny, they played the whole album ("Beyond") and people stared at the empty chair and the guitar and cheered for songs. I thought that was really weird. And then I played after they’d played the whole album. I’ve never seen a show when they just play a record and everyone’s standing there staring at the stage, as if someone’s playing.

What other festivals have you played so far this year?

Benicassim. It’s pretty cool. We played these small ones, too: one in Norway, one in Sweden, that were out in the woods. They were definitely the coolest ones. You know, it was like 5,000 people instead of 50,000. They seem pretty different (to each other) — the vibe that you get out of it. English ones are getting particularly unpleasant. You can’t even see any bands any more. They don’t let you go on stage when bands are playing unless you know the band or their tour manager.

It’s been two years since Dinosaur Jr. reunited with the original lineup. Are you enjoying yourselves more this time around?

Yeah. We’re definitely having more fun. The tortured days have gone. There’s always some tension, but nothing like before.

What do you think of some of the other recent big reunions?

I really like Mission of Burma. That was kind of inspiring for us, to see that a reunion could not suck. They’re better now than when I saw them before.
Is the same true of Dinosaur Jr.?

In a way, y’know, better and worse. We’re kinda more consistent now. We play a little bit better. In the past, a lot of crazy things would happen.
What kinds of people have been coming to your shows?

I don’t wear my glasses when I play, but I hear it’s a lot of young people. People our age don’t go out much.

Have you heard any Japanese guitarists?

I have, but I can never remember any names. You know, the quality level’s usually better. It seems like Japanese get more into what they’re doing. They go more over the top with sounds.

People here practice really hard.

Yeah. Not like Arctic Monkeys. It’s impressive how a band in England can get huge and they really can’t even play. Because it’s hard to get that sound, of not being able to quite play. You can only be there at one point in your life, and after you’ve crossed the level to knowing, you can’t get back to that sound of not knowing.

Good one, J!