In the mid-'80s, Dinosaur Jr. emerged on the underground music scene with a style unlike any other. With an entire catalog of influences that ranged from folk rock to hardcore punk, mixed with wailing guitar solos and powerful metal riffs, the group was defining its own sound, and people were taking notice.
Despite the band being known for an ongoing tumultuous relationship, even early in its career, the members still enjoyed success with seven studio albums and tour schedules that saw them sharing the stage with the likes of Sonic Youth, Nirvana, My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain.
In 1997, well after original bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph had moved on and been replaced, singer J Mascis officially retired Dinosaur Jr. Each member went on to pursue other endeavors, with Mascis starting up J Mascis and the Fog, Barlow focusing on his side-project, Sebadoh, and Murph moving on to play drums for The Lemonheads.
After an eight-year hiatus, the original trio reunited in 2005 with a European tour and eventually released a critically acclaimed album, Beyond, in 2007. That momentum continued with the release of yet another album, Farm, under their new and current label, Jagjaguwar, in 2009.
"We've really been lucky," Murph said about their reunion success. "We've been doing this for about six years now, and it's been really consistent. It hasn't waned at all. We're really surprised."
It's because of that consistency that Dinosaur Jr. continues to move forward, with a steady touring schedule and even a brand new album, I Bet on Sky, released Sept. 18.
"The big difference between I Bet on Sky and the other albums is that J spent a really long time recording vocals," Murph said. "This one feels a bit more poppy."
Yet even with a new album and a packed fall tour, the guys aren't planning to change their mentality of just taking things as they come.
"It's still one record at a time, one tour at a time."
