The band was originally called "Dinosaur", but changed its name following the release of its debut album Dinosaur in 1985, after a band called Dinosaurs, featuring ex-members of Country Joe and the Fish and Jefferson Airplane, threatened them with legal action. (They still used the name Dinosaur on their albums until 1987 at the latest, and some copies of You're Living All Over Me still lack the "Jr").
In 1987, Dinosaur Jr. signed to SST Records on the recommendation of Sonic Youth, and with them released what is often considered their best album, You're Living All Over Me. Bug followed the next year, an album which, in the UK, was released by Paul Smith's Blast First Records (home to Sonic Youth, Big Black and Butthole Surfers). During this period Dinosaur Jr. became known for their very loud concerts.
Despite not gaining much commercial success, the band has enjoyed something of a cult following. The success of singles Freak Scene and Just Like Heaven, and recommendations from the likes of Sonic Youth saw them signed by Warner Brothers. The signature Dinosaur Jr. sound is the melodic tunes saturated in layers of guitar noise and punctuated by J Mascis' elaborate, yet laconic guitar solos. They were a major influence on the up-and-coming band Nirvana.
Tensions ran high between Mascis and Barlow, and in 1989 Barlow was kicked out of the band. As a result, Barlow continued to work with his own band, Sebadoh. The two famously fell out on stage with Mascis attacking Barlow. Dinosaur Jr. subsequently became little more than a pseudonym for Mascis. He switched labels to Blanco y Negro in the UK, Warner/Sire in the US, with Green Mind (1991) being his first release in that deal.
After Barlow left the band, Van Conner, from the Screaming Trees, played bass for at least one live show in 1990, and Donna Dresch, from Team Dresch played bass at least once live with the band in 1990.
In 1991, Mike Johnson joined Dinosaur Jr as full-time bass player. He was in the band for 1991's Whatever's Cool With Me, 1993's Where You Been, 1994's Without A Sound, and 1997's Hand It Over.
Murph left the band in late 1993, after the Lollapalooza tour.
George Berz took over on drums, and drummed from 1994-1997. He was on Without A Sound, and Hand It Over. He later drummed for J Mascis + the Fog in 2000, 2001, and 2003.
Through the 90s, Mascis sometimes explored quieter and more tranquil shores than Dinosaur Jr. had in the 80s. The band formed part of the 1992 "Rollercoaster" tour. A package tour based on the successful "Lollapalooza". The tour featured The Jesus & Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine & Blur. On the 1993 release, Where You Been, the opening track ("Out There") had an accompanying video and was aired on MTV for a short time. After 1994's Without a Sound and 1997's Hand It Over, Mascis began to release albums with the band J Mascis and the Fog.
In 2004, J Mascis regained the master rights to the first three Dinosaur Jr. albums from SST, and arranged for their reissue on the Merge label in early 2005. The reissues coincided with an announcement that the original lineup of J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph (Emmett Patrick Murphy) were reuniting for a summer tour. The success of this tour resulted in a new album entitled Beyond (2007) and single Been There All The Time. They are Lou Barlow's first recording with the band since 1989. The original line-up of Dinosaur Jr. has been touring extensively since 2005. They are currently on a world tour.
On February 20, 2009, Pitchfork Media announced that the band had signed with indie label Jagjaguwar, and their first release on the label entitled Farm was released June 23, 2009, to largely positive reviews.
Muck
Dinosaur Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know it's tough to even try
It's such a different kind of scene
I know you don't know what I mean
Yeah well, I tried to tell you before
I know all you want is more
I'll always tell you different stuff
I figure it'll be cool sometime
After I've cooked everyone I find
I can only take it to that certain place
It's just not cool, look at your face
Whenever you get in my face
There's something strange
I start to taste
[Chorus:]
Hold back, hold back, hold back [Repeat: x2]
It's all restraint I'm gettin' these days
Is it okay or am I out of place
So every time you see me now
You psych for me till you remember how
I crawl here inside
In mind with muck
You stopped smiling
Remember how everything sucked
Dancing around what I could say
Cause I just can't live that way
Hold back, that's not enough to stay
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics to Dinosaur Jr.'s song "Muck" speak to the difficulties that arise when trying to communicate with someone who is set in their ways and resistant to change. The singer is speaking to someone who is not open to new experiences or ideas and finds it difficult to even try. The scene they find themselves in is different from what this person is used to, and the singer knows that they don't understand what he means.
The chorus of the song urges the singer to "Hold back, hold back, hold back" which may represent their frustration with the situation and perhaps a desire to just give up in the face of resistance. The singer acknowledges that he has tried to tell this person before, but all they want is more of the same. He will always tell them different things, but it won't be enough for them.
The final verse seems to suggest that the singer feels like he is trapped by this person's stubbornness and cannot be his true self around them. They are mired in "muck" and he feels like he has to hold back and can't be himself. He longs to break free from this dynamic and not have to dance around what he really wants to say.
Overall, "Muck" is a song about trying to communicate with someone who is resistant to new ideas and experiences, and the frustration that comes with feeling like you can't be yourself around them.
Line by Line Meaning
I know these things have passed you by
I am aware that you have missed out on certain experiences or knowledge
I know it's tough to even try
I understand that attempting to understand or engage in things you missed out on is difficult
It's such a different kind of scene
The environment or culture surrounding these things is dissimilar to what you are used to
I know you don't know what I mean
I recognize that you are struggling to comprehend my perspective or explanation
Yeah well, I tried to tell you before
I made an effort to communicate this to you already
I know all you want is more
I am aware that you have a desire for further information or clarification
I'll always tell you different stuff
I will provide alternative perspectives or information, but it may not satisfy your desire for more
No matter what won't be enough
My attempts to provide insight or knowledge will not be sufficient
I figure it'll be cool sometime
I believe that you will eventually appreciate or understand these things
After I've cooked everyone I find
Once I have shared this information or culture with others
I can only take it to that certain place
I can only bring you so far or provide so much information
It's just not cool, look at your face
Your lack of interest or engagement in this topic is unappealing to me
Whenever you get in my face
When you confront or challenge me
There's something strange
I sense a strange or uncomfortable vibe between us
I start to taste
I become more aware of this tension and its effect on me
[Chorus:] Hold back, hold back, hold back [Repeat: x2]
I am trying to restrain myself or my frustration with your lack of engagement
It's all restraint I'm gettin' these days
I am experiencing a lot of frustration and having to hold back my emotions
Is it okay or am I out of place
I am uncertain if my feelings or frustration are valid or justified
So every time you see me now
When we interact or see each other
You psych for me till you remember how
You become excited or enthusiastic about this topic until you recall your lack of involvement in it
I crawl here inside
I feel trapped or suffocated in this environment
In mind with muck
I am stuck or bogged down in unappealing or unenjoyable thoughts or emotions
You stopped smiling
Your lack of enthusiasm or positive reaction is affecting me
Remember how everything sucked
Recall how unpleasant or unexciting things were before this topic was introduced
Dancing around what I could say
Being vague or indirect when discussing this topic
Cause I just can't live that way
Because I cannot continue to be unengaged or disinterested in this subject
Hold back, that's not enough to stay
Restraining myself from expressing my feelings or attempting to pursue this interest is not a sustainable solution
[Chorus: x2]
I continue to try to hold back my frustration and impatience
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOSEPH DONALD MASCIS JR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind