Joseph Donald Mascis Jr. (born December 10, 1965), better known as J Mascis , is an American musician who is the singer, guitarist and main songwriter for the alternative rock band Dinosaur Jr. He has also released several albums as a solo artist and played drums and guitar on other projects. He was ranked number 74 in a Rolling Stone list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists", and number 5 in a similar list for Spin magazine in 2012.
48-553: Mascis was born in Amherst, Massachusetts , the son of a dentist, and grew up in the same area together with his sister Patty and older brother Mike. His mother, Theresa (an avid golfer), died in 1985 while his father, Joseph Sr., died in 1993. Mascis became a music fan and drumming enthusiast at the age of 9. He later joined the jazz ensemble in school as a drummer. At 17, Mascis joined the short-lived hardcore group Deep Wound with Lou Barlow , Scott Helland , and Charlie Nakajima in
96-476: A town manager for its executive branch. The town manager is appointed by the town council. Amherst's town council consists of ten district councilors and three councilors-at-large. Two district councilors are elected from each of five districts in Amherst. The three councilors-at-large are elected by the whole town. Each councilor serves a two-year term, except for the first council, where each member will serve
144-472: A 1958 Telecaster, a mirrored pickguard and a pre-worn Maple neck with a custom thinner profile, 21 frets and a 9.5" radius Maple fingerboard. The neck has a thin, part-worn Nitrocellulose lacquer satin finish. It also features a top-loader bridge. Amherst, Massachusetts Amherst ( / ˈ æ m ər s t / ) is a city in Hampshire County, Massachusetts , United States, in
192-581: A ballad and a Beach Boys -like song for the soundtrack. In 1998, he retired the Dinosaur Jr. name. In April 2005 Mascis, Barlow, and Murph reformed the band for a tour celebrating the re-release of the group's first three albums. The reunited line-up has since released five new albums: Beyond in 2007, Farm in 2009, I Bet on Sky in 2012, Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not in 2016, and Sweep It Into Space in 2021. In 2000 he began producing albums with his new band, J Mascis + The Fog . In 2003,
240-440: A graduate or professional degree, and only 4.9% did not graduate from high school. The largest industry is education, health, and social services, in which 51.9% of employed persons work. These statistics given above include some but not all of the large student population, roughly 30,000 in 2010, many of whom only reside in the town part of the year. Amherst is home to thousands of part-time and full-time residents associated with
288-448: A hardcore punk associated subculture whose adherents avoid drug and alcohol consumption. Since then, he has mostly been a teetotaler and never used other recreational drugs. July 2007 saw the release of a signature guitar by Fender, the J Mascis Signature Jazzmaster . The instrument comes in a Purple Sparkle finish and, while otherwise visually similar to a standard Jazzmaster, features a few modifications J requested. December 2011 saw
336-420: A household in the town was $ 48,059, and the median income for a family was $ 96,005. Male full-time workers had a median income of $ 64,750 versus $ 39,278 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 18,905. About 8.7% of families and 34.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over. Of residents 25 years old or older, 41.7% have
384-478: A part of Hadley, even when it gained precinct status in 1734, before becoming a township in 1759. When it incorporated, the colonial governor assigned the town the name "Amherst" after Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst . Many a colonial governor at the time scattered his name during the influx of new town applications, which is why several towns in the Northeast bear the name. Amherst was Commander-in-Chief of
432-655: A small role, a caretaker, in his film The Double . Mascis's electric guitar work is featured on the 2014 Strand of Oaks album Heal . In April 2014 he played with reunited Nirvana on a secret gig after the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions. He sang the songs "School", " Pennyroyal Tea " and " Drain You ". In August 2014 he released the solo album Tied to a Star on Sub Pop and toured in support of it. Mascis joined Unknown Instructors on their fourth album, replacing Joe Baiza as guitarist. The album, Unwilling to Explain ,
480-595: A three-year term. Amherst also has the following elected bodies: Amherst also has a five-member housing authority in which three of the five members are elected by voters. Each member serves a two-year term. In the Massachusetts Senate Amherst is in the "Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester" district, represented by Democratic State Senator Jo Comerford since January 2019. In the Massachusetts House of Representatives Amherst
528-472: A young person is angry, they tend to be really loud. And J wasn't. He was only loud when he played music". As a side project, he was the drummer in Boston doom metal group Upsidedown Cross, who released a self-titled album on Taang! Records in 1991. He wrote songs for the film Gas Food Lodging , in which he made a cameo appearance. In 1996, he had a small part in the movie Grace of My Heart and provided
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#1732797448309576-505: Is German filmmaker Philipp Reichenheim, professionally known as Philipp Virus, the director of the 2006 Dinosaur Jr. DVD Live in the Middle East . He is a devotee of Mata Amritanandamayi , a Hindu guru and author. Mascis explained that he discovered her in the mid-1990s when "I was at my lowest, as the band got bigger, I got more depressed. I was looking for anyone to help, to feel better". In 1982 Mascis became straight edge , part of
624-585: Is available in nearby Northampton on the Vermonter service between Washington, D.C. , and St. Albans, Vermont . More frequent Amtrak service to New York City and Washington, D.C., is available from Union Station in Springfield . The closest major domestic and limited international air service is available through Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, Connecticut . Bradley
672-511: Is in the 3rd Hampshire district, represented by Democratic State Representative Mindy Domb since January 2019. Amherst is part of the Eighth Massachusetts Governor's Council district and has been represented by Tara Jacobs since January 2023. Amherst is represented at the federal level by an all-Democratic delegation, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey , and by Representative Jim McGovern of
720-533: Is located approximately one hour's driving time from Amherst. Major international service is available through Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston, 90 miles away. General aviation service is close by, at Northampton Airport , Westover Metropolitan Airport , and Turners Falls Airport . Since 1997, the local newspaper, the Amherst Bulletin , has published a weekly log of phone calls received by
768-527: Is part of the Amherst Regional School District along with Leverett , Pelham , and Shutesbury . Amherst has three elementary schools: Crocker Farm Elementary School, Fort River Elementary School, and Wildwood Elementary School serving K–6. Students in Amherst then attend Amherst Regional Middle School for grades 7–8. High school students then attend Amherst Regional High School . There are three tertiary institutions located in
816-440: Is silent", in reference both to the pronunciation and to the town's politically active populace. The earliest known document of the lands now comprising Amherst is the deed of purchase dated December 1658 between John Pynchon of Springfield and three native inhabitants, referred to as Umpanchla, Quonquont, and Chickwalopp. According to the deed, "ye Indians of Nolwotogg (Norwottuck) upon ye River of Quinecticott (Connecticut)" sold
864-545: Is spearheading. In 2008 the six-track album was made available digitally on his own Baked Goods label. In 2006 Mascis returned to drumming with his newly formed heavy metal band Witch for their self-titled debut album. Also that year, he collaborated with Evan Dando on a new Lemonheads album. The Lemonheads was released that September, featuring Mascis playing lead guitar. In 2010 Mascis joined with John Petkovic and Tim Parnin of Cobra Verde and Dave Sweetapple of Witch to form Sweet Apple. The self-titled debut album
912-424: The 2020 United States Presidential Election , Democrat Joe Biden received 90.3 percent of the vote to incumbent Republican Donald Trump 's 7.4 percent. In the 2000 United States Presidential Election , Amherst was one of a small number of places that delivered more votes for Green Party candidate Ralph Nader (who took 24% of the vote) than Republican candidate George W. Bush , who received just 13%. The town
960-539: The Connecticut River valley. Amherst has a council–manager form of government, and is considered a city under Massachusetts state law. Amherst is one of several Massachusetts municipalities that have city forms of government but retain "The Town of" in their official names. At the 2020 census , the population was 39,263, making it the highest populated municipality in Hampshire County (although
1008-500: The Köppen system marginally falls into the warm-summer category ( Dfb ). It is interchangeable with the hot-summer subtype Dfa with July means hovering around 71.7 °F (22.1 °C). Winters are cold and snowy, albeit daytime temperatures often remain above freezing. Under the 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone system, Amherst (ZIP Code 01002) is in zone 5b; however, Amherst closely borders zone 6a, which penetrates into Massachusetts in
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#17327974483091056-521: The Mount Holyoke Range , which forms the so-called " Tofu Curtain ". Amherst is nearly equidistant from Massachusetts' borders with Connecticut and Vermont . Amherst's ZIP Code of 01002 is the second-lowest number in the continental United States after Agawam (not counting codes used for specific government buildings such as the IRS ). Amherst has a humid continental climate that under
1104-615: The Second Congressional District of Massachusetts . Voter registration data is from the state election enrollment statistics. Like many college towns, Amherst leans heavily Democratic. In each of the presidential elections from 2012 to 2020, more than 80% of Amherst's votes went to the Democratic candidate. The last Republican to win Amherst on the Presidential level was Richard Nixon in 1960 . In
1152-484: The University of Massachusetts Amherst , Amherst College , and Hampshire College . Data is from the 2009–2013 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Major employers in Amherst include University of Massachusetts Amherst , Amherst College , William D. Mullins Memorial Center , Hampshire College , and Amherst-Pelham Regional School District . Amherst has a town council for its legislative branch and
1200-616: The 1996 acoustic solo album Martin + Me . In 1989 Kurt Cobain suggested that Mascis join Nirvana as a guitarist. The manager for Deep Wound was Gerard Cosloy , who then went on to found Homestead Records . Homestead released Dinosaur Jr.'s first record. Mascis says that the reason why Dinosaur Jr.'s sound is not fully formed on that record is that they were more or less automatically signed to Homestead. Megan Jasper, vice president at Sub Pop Records, characterises this period as "J had some anger, like any punk rock kid. Usually, though, when
1248-734: The Amherst Police Department. This police report, whose tone is deadpan and often unintentionally humorous, has been the subject of at least two books and a 2002 article in Harper's Magazine , "Gone When Police Got There". For example, an entry from the March 27, 2015 police report reads: "2:48 a.m.—An Ann Whalen Apartments resident awoke to find someone on her balcony looking into her bedroom. The woman later told police she thinks she may have been dreaming prior to calling 911." Several Shades of Why Several Shades of Why
1296-535: The Assembly's suggestion, the City Council approved $ 2,000,000 of initial funding for reparations. The Town converted from an open town meeting to a representative town meeting form in 1938. In 1953, Amherst voters passed the "Town Manager Act", which established the office of a town manager and reduced a number of elected positions. In 1995, a charter commission was approved to study Amherst's government;
1344-517: The Connecticut River Valley, and climate change may be shifting those zones. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, there were 37,819 people, 9,259 households, and 4,484 families residing in the town. There were 9,711 housing units. The racial makeup of the town was 76.9% White , 5.4% Black or African American , 0.2% Native American , 10.9% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 2.4% some other race , and 4.1% from two or more races. 7.3% of
1392-484: The March 27, 2018 local ballot, and was passed by over 1,000 votes, a 58% majority. The new town council was sworn in on December 2, 2018. According to the United States Census Bureau , Amherst has a total area of 27.7 square miles (71.8 km ), of which 27.6 square miles (71.5 km ) are land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km ), or 0.48%, are water. The town is bordered by Hadley to
1440-432: The back of the large '60s-style headstock. This model was discontinued in 2021. Due to demand and chatter on popular social media platforms, Fender re-released the model in early 2023. As of April 2024, the model continues to be produced. In August 2021 Fender released a new signature Telecaster . This features an Alder body painted with a blue sparkle finish with a high-gloss polyester finish. It has custom pickups based on
1488-468: The charter majority recommended a seven-person Council and a mayor, while also maintaining a reduced size representative Town Meeting (150). This proposal failed in two successive votes. In 2001, the League of Women Voters Amherst made a number of recommendations that were adopted in 2001 in the form of a revised "Amherst Town Government Act". An effort shortly thereafter to amend the charter to eliminate
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1536-548: The city of Springfield, Amherst is considered the northernmost town in the Hartford–Springfield Metropolitan Region, "The Knowledge Corridor". Amherst is also located in the Pioneer Valley , which encompasses Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin counties. The name of the town is pronounced without the h ("AM-erst") by natives and long-time residents, giving rise to the local saying, "only the 'h'
1584-462: The county seat is Northampton ). The town is home to Amherst College , Hampshire College , and the University of Massachusetts Amherst , three of the Five Colleges . Amherst has three census-designated places : Amherst Center , North Amherst , and South Amherst . Amherst is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area . Lying 22 miles (35 km) north of
1632-653: The defense against the proposed Franco-Spanish Armada of 1779 . Nonetheless, his previous service in the French and Indian War meant he remained popular in New England. Amherst is also infamous for recommending, in a letter to a subordinate, the use of smallpox -covered blankets in warfare against the Native Americans along with any "other method that can serve to Extirpate this Execrable Race". For this reason, there have been occasional ad hoc movements to rename
1680-442: The early 1980s. He went on to found Dinosaur Jr. with bassist Barlow and drummer Emmett Jefferson "Patrick" Murphy (aka " Murph ") in 1984, switching to guitar in the process, and they achieved national success. His vocals have been described as " Neil Young -like" and his guitar riffs as "monolithic". Mascis dismissed Barlow from Dinosaur Jr. in 1989 and over the next eight years recorded several more Dinosaur Jr. albums, as well as
1728-799: The early morning hours on weekends when school is in session. Students attending any colleges in the Five Colleges Consortium have a fee included in their tuition bills (service fee for UMass Amherst students and student activity fees for the other colleges) for each semester that prepays their bus fares for the semester. UMass Transit buses operate via a proof-of-payment system, in which there are random inspections of student identification cards and bus passes and transfers. Peter Pan Bus Lines provides service between Amherst and Springfield , Boston , and other locations in New England. Megabus provides service between New York City , Amherst, and Burlington, Vermont . Amtrak rail service
1776-417: The entire area in exchange for "two Hundred fatham of Wampam & Twenty fatham, and one large Coate at Eight fatham wch Chickwollop set of, of trusts, besides severall small giftes" [ sic ]. Amherst was first visited by Europeans no later than 1665, when Nathaniel Dickinson surveyed the lands for its mother town Hadley . The first permanent English settlements arrived in 1727. It remained
1824-815: The forces of North America during the French and Indian War who, according to popular legend, singlehandedly won Canada for the British and banished France from North America. Popular belief has it that he supported the American side in the Revolutionary War and resigned his commission rather than fight for the British. Baron Amherst actually remained in the service of the Crown during the war—albeit in Great Britain rather than North America—where he organized
1872-469: The house and studio he owned burned down. In August 2005 Mascis released J and Friends Sing and Chant for Amma , a solo album under the J Mascis and Friends banner. The album consists of devotional songs dedicated to Hindu religious leader Mata Amritanandamayi , or Ammachi, about whom he had written "Ammaring" on the first J Mascis + The Fog album More Light . The proceeds from the album are being donated to tsunami relief efforts Ammachi's organization
1920-443: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 9,259 households in the town, 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6% were headed by married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.6% were non-families. Of all households, 27.3% were made up of individuals, and 9.7% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
1968-574: The release of the Squier by Fender J Mascis Jazzmaster. This features a basswood body, C-shaped maple neck, rosewood fingerboard with 9.5" radius and 21 jumbo frets, two high output single-coil Squier Jazzmaster pickups, three-position switching and dual tone circuits, gold anodized aluminum pickguard, aged white plastic parts (knobs, switch tip, pickup covers), Adjusto-Matic™ bridge with vintage-style floating tremolo tailpiece, vintage-style tuners, chrome hardware, Vintage White finish, and J Mascis signature on
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2016-400: The town meeting, and establish an elected mayor and a nine-member Town Council, was rejected by voters twice, first in spring 2003 by fourteen votes and again on March 29, 2005 by 252 votes. In 2016, a charter commission was approved to study Amherst's government. A majority of commissioners proposed a charter that would establish a 13-member council with no mayor. This proposal was voted on
2064-604: The town. Amherst celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2009. The Amherst 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee and Amherst Historical Society organized events, including a book published by the Historical Society and written by Elizabeth M. Sharpe, Amherst A to Z . In 2021 the City Council voted to establish the Amherst African Heritage Reparation Assembly to study reparations for the town's black residents. In 2022, at
2112-542: The town: the public University of Massachusetts Amherst (the flagship of the UMass system ), and two private liberal arts colleges— Amherst College and Hampshire College . The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority , funded by local governments and the Five College Consortium , provides public transportation in the area, operated by University of Massachusetts Transportation Services . Service runs well into
2160-452: The west, Sunderland and Leverett to the north, Shutesbury , Pelham , and Belchertown to the east, and Granby and South Hadley to the south. The highest point in the town is on the northern shoulder of Mount Norwottuck at the southern border of the town; the peak is in Granby but the town's high point is a few yards away and is about 1,100 feet (340 m). This point is located in
2208-437: Was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.88. In the town, 10.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 55.7% were from 18 to 24, 13.3% were from 25 to 44, 13.6% were from 45 to 64, and 7.4% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.7 males. For the period 2011–2015, the estimated median annual income for
2256-464: Was released in 2019. Mascis's wife, Luisa Mascis, née Reichenheim, whom he met in New York in the mid-1990s and married in 2004, is from Berlin , Germany. They reside in Amherst, Massachusetts , in a house formerly owned by Robert Thurman , a professor of religion noted for his work on Buddhism, and father of actress Uma Thurman . In September 2007 they had a baby boy named Rory. His brother-in-law
2304-428: Was released on Tee Pee Records. Mascis plays drums, guitar, and sings on the album. Mascis released a mostly acoustic album in March 2011 titled Several Shades of Why on Sub Pop Records . He was joined in the studio by several guest musicians, including Kurt Vile , Ben Bridwell and Sophie Trudeau . Mascis toured North America with Vile as support act to promote the album. In 2013 Richard Ayoade cast J Mascis in
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