Mon Jun 18, 2012
Music

Dinosaur Jr. play three at Lee’s

Arguably the most important band of the 1980s American indie-rock revolution, Dinosaur Jr. returned from extinction in 2005 to stage one of the most glorious comebacks in rock lore. In their first incarnation, J. Mascis, Lou Barlow and Pat Murphy—affectionately known as J/Lou/Murph—produced two extremely potent albums of atomic guitar-rock in 1987′s You’re Living All Over Me and 1988′s Bug, which featured the glorious sort-of-requited-love anthem “Freak Scene.” Now, having been together almost twice as long as their initial run, and having found a way to balance outside projects (Barlow’s long-time solo outlet, Sebadoh, plays the Horsehoe Aug. 20), the band continues to not only showcase their past (they just completed a run of Bug shows, with a live LP and DVD available on their website) but continue to make new music. Dinosaur Jr. will release its third record in five years, I Bet on Sky, on Sept. 18. To celebrate its release, the band will play not one, not two, but three shows here in town at Lee’s Palace Sept. 24-26 as part of Lee’s Palace’s 27th-anniversary celebrations. Tickets go on sale this Friday (June 22) at 10 a.m. for $34.50.

CIVIL TWILIGHT SETS RETURN

When you hear the term “Civil Twilight” in these parts, it most immidiatly brings to mind the Weakerthans hit off their 2007 album, Reunion Tour. However, it also is the name of a fine band originally from Cape Town, South Africa. The subtly intense trio had a worldwide hit with 2010′s “Letters From the Sky” (off their debut self-titled record) and recently returned with its follow up, Holy Weather; they hit town this Wednesday (June 20) at The Garrison. Pop by and hear some great music and raise a glass to their fellow countryman, golfer Ernie Els, who made a great run for his third U.S. Open title on the weekend. And speaking of the Weakerthans: frontman John K. Samson‘s solo LP, Provincial, is one of the 40 albums on the Polaris long list. The prize entrusts 200 music experts nationwide with the task of choosing the best record to be made in this country during the previous 12 months; the long list will be whittled to 10 on July 14, with the winner chosen at a gala here in town on Sept. 24.

AMERICA GOES METRIC

Metric spent last week here at home celebrating the release of their new LP, Synthetica, with friends and fans at numerous public promo events. Now, they take their show on the road and, on Thursday (June 20), will perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The show does an excellent job of presenting live music, so the exposure will be a great way to to launch the record in the U.S.