Photos by Michael McGrath, Story by Amy McGrath
J Mascis and Kurt Vile represent different generations of indie rock but still, they are musical brothers: two long-haired guitar wizards that emanate ultra-laid-back slacker cool. Both the wizardry and the cool enveloped the Mission Ballroom on Wednesday night when Dinosaur Jr and Kurt Vile shared a double bill for the first of a short series of shows.
Never much for fanfare or rock star antics, Dinosaur Jr took the Mission stage with the house lights still on and launched straight away into “Thumb,” from the iconic 1991 album Green Mind. For most of the set, Mascis stood anchored on his side of the stage, cordoned off by his massive wall of Marshall stacks, letting his wailing guitar and bruised but tender vocals speak for themselves.
The three-piece: J Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Murph, powered through a set of music that ranged from recent work, from 2016’s Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not through their raucous closer “Training Ground,” which Barlow wrote at 16 for his hardcore band Deep Wound. This is a band that’s been making music together for 35 years, and what they lack in freshness and youthful energy, they make up for with a poised confidence and chops.
Kurt Vile’s got the chops too, and they were on full display on Wednesday night. His set opened with a bright “Loading Zones,” the opening track from 2018’s excellent release Bottle It In. Vile’s set was a full emotional and musical ride, ranging from the melancholy and mellow “Girl Called Alex,” through the sun-soaked, breezy “Bassackwards,” and “Wakin’ on a Pretty Day” to the angsty, dark edges of earlier work like the riotous closer “Freak Train.”
Like Mascis, Vile maintains a certain distanced cool on stage, but warmth and magic pours from his fingers. His rich, vibrant guitar sound and uniquely droll vocals are supported by the excellent work of his longtime band, the Violators, and punctuated by his jubilant, Springteen-esque yips.
Split bills can sometimes be a risky gambit, but Dinosaur Jr and Kurt Vile made a perfect pair at the Mission Ballroom.
