Dinosaur Jr. Over It!

Posted by Brandon Kim on July 10th

There’s something inherently pleasing about watching pals having a good time, doing what they do. It’s buddy magic. It’s why “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” is so damn good, and why people blamed Yoko when the Beatles broke. It’s why Dinosaur Jr’s video for “Over It” feels so right. Not only is it so good to see J Mascis, Murph, and Lou Barlow hanging together, as if no one was ever kicked out of the band, but they exude a coolness that only a matured group of dudes can embody while still ruling at youthful endeavors.

I had to ask director Mark Locke about some logistics, knowing that what appears to be a pretty simple shoot, was obviously not. The infinitely cool moving close ups that open the video were shot by Mike Manzoori, infamous “skate/BMX camera guy and ex pro skater,” from a skateboard. Dope.

It turns out Barlow and Murph are not really sweet BMXers, and that may be putting it lightly. Doubles were used but clearly the guys really did a bit of riding. For some ballsy reason “Murph’s bike had no brakes so that was a bit hairy at times.” Some of those dumps seem legit, even if not all the tricks are but like Locke says “they did great faking the approaches.”

Mascis “can ride a skateboard a bit” and the daffy (two boards) he pulls off is real for example. That increasingly tough looking grey mane of his seems to be what set off the idea for the video back when Locke saw Dinosaur Jr after they reformed in ’05. It churned up ideas in Locke’s head about aging, but being even cooler than most of the up and coming kids and “about still doing whatever smokes your pole, whatever age you are.”

That’s an idea I embrace. “One day we had no comb and J’s hair was a bit knotty so I had to comb his hair with my fingers,” Locke added. The love is apparent, all around:

Mascis commands an Alien Workshop Dinosaur Jr signature board, while Murph and Barlow roll FBM BMXs.

I know i’ve listed them before, but Dinosaur Jr tour dates are here.
I’m looking at this one: 08/16/09 NY – Central Park Summer Stage (FREE SHOW) w/ The Walkmen