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In the past few years we have seen an overwhelming amount of bands reforming - from The Pixies to Yazoo. But the most exciting reformation for fuzz rock enthusiasts is without a doubt Dinosaur Jr. Steady touring since their reformation and a pretty decent new album lays the foundations for a great gig.

Desert Hearts play a flawless support slot, 'Sea Punk' and 'Gravitas' in particular rattled out with extra vigour. Sounding pleasantly reminiscent of American rock royalty My Morning Jacket, their set is only disrupted by the inane ramblings of one heckler, who is then invited by the band to come stage dive...onto the concrete. Zing!

Dinosaur Jr blaze on stage. J Mascis resembles Gandalf the Grey, Murph looks like Michael Chiklis and Lou Barlow looks like...well, Lou Barlow. 'Feel The Pain' and 'Out There' make for a delightfully loud racket as six hundred punters wonder if their hearing will ever be the same again.

A couple of tracks of the new album don't get much of a reaction, but Mascis throws in some impeccable guitar solos to keep us interested. And, just when it seemed like this early gig had run it's course, the kings of distortion come out once more and treat us to an electrifying version of The Cure's 'Just Like Heaven'.

Dinosaur Jr may not be regarded as particularly cool these days and they have a combined age of around two thousand. But you'll be hard pressed to find a better rock band on the planet.


Paul Mullin