For being one of those hermit-types, J Mascis has done a lot with the outside world. J (no period… it's more than just an initial) was born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1965.

J's first band was a hard core ensemble called Deep Wound. Dinosaur was founded in 1984. After legal squabbles with a rock band of the same name, they added the 'Jr." J rose to notoriety as the frontman for Dinosaur Jr, with their screaming, off-key guitars and whining vocals. Dinosaur Jr is continually given props for starting the grunge movement that rule the early 90's.

J moonlighted on drums in bands like Gobblehoof, threw his hand in at producing (fIREHOSE and Tad) and scored the independent film Gas Food Lodging and Grace of My Heart. In 1996, J released a solo debut, Martin and Me. Dinosaur Jr ended in 1997, and J retreated with little contact. His second solo album, More Light, was recorded under the name J Mascis and the Fog (Ultimatum, 2000).