Chocomel Daze (Live 1987)

If you want to truly re-create the experience of a Dinosaur Jr. show, play this at full blast on a very loud stereo system. Hearing damage and tinnitus should result. Aside from Motörhead and Bob Mould, no act turned loudness into a sharper weapon. Guitarist J Mascis might settle down for a moment of quieter intensity, but it's never long before he steps on a pedal and sends the crowd into a frenzy. Chocomel Daze is a rare recording from a 1987 show at Doornroosje in Nijmegen, Netherlands, with Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow, and drummer Murph working through Dinosaur Jr.'s early catalog at top volume. You're Living All Over Me was making serious waves in the alternative rock community at the time, and the band was on its first European tour. The sound is muddy and should be considered decent bootleg quality. Vocals, not surprisingly, are often drowned out by the instrumentation or howl above the mix from a distance. As a memento of that glorious time, Chocomel Daze fulfills its mission.