J Mascis – [email protected] Hall, London [NewNoise.net Review]

[jeremiah]

J Mascis – [email protected] Hall, London
By Nadeem Ali
Original Article: http://www.new-noise.net/see_134.html

When J Mascis finally shambles on to the small stage at the far end of Bush Hall, his appearance could not be more at odds with the venue’s ornate surrounding.

Mascis’ shoulder length hair is now a completely grey mess of entangled clumps that look like they are badly in need of a wash. He is wearing a scruffy old-school Adidas tracksuit top over a fading black T-shirt. On the one hand, Mascis could not look more grungey, but on the other he also resembles some kind of stoned hippy tramp.

The knowledge that he is a legend provides him with a bizarre kind of anti-presence. People worship him and are still able to completely ignore him. While he is tuning his guitar the crowd chatter drops to a quiet murmur, leading Mascis to mumble into the microphone: "don’t stop talking on account of me". He isn’t being rude, he’s probably happy with people not acknowledging his presence.

He doesn’t look especially comfortable on stage with over 300 pairs of eyes focusing on him. That is probably why there is so much heads-down rocking from the former Dinosaur Jr man. His guitar protects him like a shield. Without it, J Mascis is nothing but a hippy tramp.

The evening is billed as an acoustic performance. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Admittedly, he does play an acoustic guitar, but this is an acoustic guitar plugged in and ready for some electrified action that could light up the whole of London. This is a one-man rock ‘n’ roll show. It isn’t an evening for sensitive souls expecting some singer-songwriter style wine-bar sophistication. Damien Rice this is not.

Although over-indulgence does at times get the better of him., as on the tediously squalling 20-minute guitar solo that closes the set. Mascis appears to be lost in some kind of noise-induced trance. He just sits there manipulating distorted waves of white noise from his battered acoustic guitar. It could go on forever. And it almost does.

Thankfully, there are also moments of Mascis genius. He bashes out brief but bristly renditions of ‘Freak Scene’ and ‘Just Like Heaven’, as if obligated to perform these classic alternative-rock anthems.

‘Set Us Free’ is a mellow highlight that sees Mascis soften his croak into something almost melodic. It is warm respite from the (mostly wonderful) histrionics that surround it.

Mascis has never made life easy for himself or his fans, and while he does test the limits of our patience, tonight he also rewards it. It’s these moments of genius that makes the grubby old curmudgeon such a hero to many.

And on this occasion, patience was more than a virtue. It was a pleasure.

Original Article: http://www.new-noise.net/see_134.html

[rambleon]

Quote:

Mascis appears to be lost in some kind of noise-induced trance. He just sits there manipulating distorted waves of white noise from his battered acoustic guitar. It could go on forever. And it almost does.

+ that’s a bad thing ?

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