Although J Mascis may not be the most talkative of front men, he is certainly one very under rated guitar player, and this is most apparent during the likes of “Out There” and “Start Choppin” from the 1993 release “Where You Been” – two of the highlights of tonight’s show.
However earlier tracks from the eighties seem quite messy when heard alongside the aforementioned tunes, and although those from last years’ release “I Bet on Sky” are of a similar style, it is songs from this album that are met with much applause but also meant stronger numbers from the bands back catalogue were left aside.
In all this was a set which didn’t quite flow due to much tuning up in between songs and such like but there were still some hidden gems, Lou Barlow on lead vocals for a Deep Wound cover (J Mascis and Lou’s old college band from yesteryear) and an encore featuring a beautiful working of the Cure’s “Just like Heaven”.
It may not have been quite the legendry gig I had built it up in my mind before heading off to the big smoke, but I still maintain J Mascis guitar playing is that of a legend.
Mr Teeth
