Dinosaur Jr.

Dinosaur Jr. are one of the loudest rock bands around—fitting, since vocalist/guitarist J Mascis once described the group’s music as “ear-bleeding country”. The Massachusetts group formed in 1984, after the dissolution of Mascis’ hardcore band Deep Wound, which also featured bassist Lou Barlow. Early support from Sonic Youth after the 1985 release of Dinosaur buoyed the band, and they had a major hit in 1988 with the noisy, jangly “Freak Scene”. Further success followed with the ’90s rise of grunge, as fuzz-coated singles such as “Start Choppin’” and the irreverent “Feel the Pain” connected with modern-rock fans. Dinosaur Jr. split in 1997 but regrouped in 2005 with Barlow—who had exited the band amid acrimony before their major success—and picked up right where they left off. The band, which also featured erstwhile drummer Murph, issued well-received albums (including 2021’s Sweep It Into Space) and kicked out the loud jams on extensive tours.