When Jerry Fuchs joined Maserati in 2004, he initiated a complete overhaul of the group: old songs were dropped, tempos were drastically sped up, and the budding psych-rock impulses of guitarists Coley Dennis and Matt Cherry were given room to grow. Beginning with the electrifying Inventions For The New Season, Maserati were a better, faster, stronger beast. That spirit shines bright on Maserati VII, their first album conceived since Fuchs’ passing. They joined us for our 5GB before their show at The Earl on Friday.
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
Not counting the Beach Boys at the Braves halftime show when I was 10, my first real rock show was probably Dinosaur Jr. on the Where You Been? tour around 1993. I was 16 and had just gotten my drivers license, so it was also my first un-chaperoned show. Dino Jr. were blisteringly loud to my teenage ears – in the best way possible, of course. J Mascis’s hair hadn’t turned grey yet. Pretty much set the standard for the way a live show should sound. Also – I didn’t appreciate them at the time, but Kyuss opened that show.
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
A few come to mind. We played at CBGB back around 2002 or so – completely amazing just being in that room, much less playing on that stage. Our show in Athens, Greece last year is a close second, but that may be the lamb chops talking.
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
Maybe not the “best”, but the first that comes to mind is seeing SUNNO))) play in a church about 4 years ago, which blew me away. Kinda like standing on one of those Sharper Image foot massagers at its highest setting while being bombarded with the lowest frequency sound you ever “heard.” I love the idea of a show being as much a physical sensation as an aural one.
What is the gig you would most like to play?
Live at Pompeii?
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
We curate the All Tomorrow’s Parties “Don’t Look Back” series with The Wipers playing Youth of America, Manuel Gottsching playing Inventions for Electric Guitar, Neil Young playingTrans, Jesus and Mary Chain playing Psychocandy and Spacemen 3 playing Sound of Confusion.
Maserati plays the EARL Thursday, Oct. 26
