J Mascis

Mascis is unquestionably best known for being the frontman of the highly influential rock band Dinosaur Jr., which he founded in his native Amherst in 1984, along with bassist Lou Barlow and drummer Emmett ‘Murph’ Jefferson. That same lineup of the band continues to record and tour today, having released their latest album, ‘I Bet on Sky’, in 2012, but the band were inactive between 1997 and 2005, and spent some time without Barlow - also known for his role as frontman of lo-fi legends Sebadoh - after a fallout with Mascis led to his firing in 1989.

Away from Dinosaur Jr., though, Mascis - one of the most recognizable men in rock, with his long white hair and beard and large spectacles - is also known for his solo career, the sound of which has generally been in stark contrast to his work with his band. He’s released four full-length records, in addition to two live albums, and has generally focused - especially on his most recent two solo LPs - on a mellow, acoustic sound that’s a million miles away from Dinosaur Jr.’s incendiary riffery. 2011’s ‘Several Shades of Why’ and 2014’s ‘Tied to a Star’ both have Mascis on reflective, laid-back form, cementing his status as one of the most versatile performers in modern rock.