Chairman of the bored

>> Getting into slacker mode with ex-Dinosaur Jr. mainman J. Mascis

by LORRAINE CARPENTER

Is J. Mascis the most stoned man in the universe? Considering his semi-legendary interview "technique"--fragmented, non-committal mumbling, occasionally followed by a full sentence--you'd think being a weed-lifer might explain things. Being a guitar-lifer might be a better guess, although a combination of the two isn't uncommon. Did I mention he's an avid golfer?

As the founder of Dinosaur Jr., one of the seminal alterna-rock bands from that critical late-'80s-to-mid-'90s period, and a highly respected guitarist apart from all that, Mascis doesn't have to say much. With his new band the Fog, which boasts ex-Minutemen/fIREHOSE bassist Mike Watt and former Dinosaur Jr. drummer George Berz, Mascis has produced More Light, the new album which also features guest appearances by My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields and Guided By Voices frontman Bob Pollard. With its big yet understated rawk-out sound, many critics are calling this a return to (electrified) form after Mascis' 1996 solo (acoustic) debut, Martin and Me.

"Um, I guess that's good," says the man himself. "I prefer electric, it's just that once in a while it's interesting to do acoustic shows, whatever."

As for the decline of Mascis' guitar virtuoso style in alternative rock--which the burgeoning Texas scene may soon turn around--Mr. J. doesn't seem affected. "Even if most people don't use guitars that way, I still like it so I'll probably keep doing it. Everything seems to go in different cycles, it's hard to predict. You just gotta do what you wanna do and hope for the best."

Along with recording, touring and doing kick-ass interviews, Mascis has worked on several films with indie director Allison Anders, notably Gas Food Lodging (1992) and Grace of My Heart (1996).

"I wrote a song for her new movie, Things Behind the Sun. It just debuted at Sundance yesterday. I also play drums in the band that's in the movie. I was in the two other [Allison Anders] movies, that's the only time I've acted. It's pretty fun."

More fun than interviews? Lame jokes aside, another promotional duty Mascis used to dread was touring, a bittersweet, obligatory undertaking for all bands. However, it seems the live hiatus since Dinosaur Jr.'s 1997 finale has eased the pain, a lucky break for someone who's been playing night after night of blistering, ear-numbing sets since October.

"It's been going well. I like it better than I remember. It's interesting playing with Mike Watt. I used to listen to the Minutemen as a kid, and he's got a lot of energy."

Along with some time off, a new band, new music and some new equipment clearly make the job easier. "For one song I try to play a guitar and keyboard at the same time, with varying degrees of success. To me the most different thing is the solos. I don't even know how to play the same solo twice. That's where I feel like I can express myself more from day to day."

With the Teenbeaters at Cabaret tonight, Thursday, Feb. 1, 9pm, $18.50