The Breeders Share Unearthed J Mascis Cover Of “Divine Hammer” W/ New Video

The Pixies disbanded in early 1993 and by that August, the voice of the band’s former bassist/co-vocalist, Kim Deal could be heard across alternative radio more than ever. Previously considered more of a side project for Deal, The Breeders would score a massive hit with the song “Cannonball,” with their album, Last Splash being certified platinum the following spring. 30 years later, the 4-piece is now celebrating the anniversary with an extensive tour performing the album in its entirety. In a couple of days, the band will also reissue their breakout sophomore album on vinyl. Referred to as “the 30th Anniversary Original Analog Edition,” this special double-LP pressing of Last Splash is remastered from the original tapes, cut at 45rpm, and will include a bonus one-sided disc “containing two forgotten tracks from the original Last Splash sessions.” The recently revealed “Go Man Go” is an intriguing discovery, if, for no other reason, than because it was co-written with Kim‘s former Pixies bandmate, Black Francis. The other bonus cut is a cover of the album’s second single, “One Divine Hammer” handled by none other than Dinosaur Jr frontman, J. Mascis. Today, the group debuts what they have titled “Divine Mascis” along with an accompanying video. To our enjoyment, it turns out that Mascis‘s take on the indie-rock classic is about the most J Mascis thing possible.

Beyond having an encyclopedic knowledge of rock music, J Mascis has proven his endless versatility in creating it, from his early years drumming in hardcore punk outfit, Deep Wound, and much later with the Kyle “King Tuff” Thomas-fronted stoner metal outfit, Witch to his production work behind the boards (Tad, Sonic Youth, fIREHOSE, Buffalo Tom); and across multiple solo acoustic albums. That said, for a man most well-known for wielding his signature Fender Jazzmaster with Dinosaur Jr, through which he’s become notorious for possessing one of the loudest live guitar sounds of all time, it’s still a pleasant surprise when he offers up his own take on a less obvious song like “Circle” by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, or Dinosaur‘s now-classic rendition of the Cure‘s “Just Like Heaven.” As for his interpretation of “One Divine Hammer,” it turns out that the band never really intended for him to do a cover at all when they reached out to him about contributing.

Kim‘s twin sister and fellow Breeder, Kelly Deal (guitar/vox) recently explained the circumstances of how “Divine Mascis” came about during a conversation with Uncut: “At the time, J Mascis was a guitar god… we sent him the tape to put guitar on, so when it came back and he’s got rid of our voices and just put his vocal on, we were like, ‘Wha?!’ But it’s really cute. There’s a freshness to it, and it’s just so weird. I like his voice and the idiosyncratic way he sings and delivers lines. So I thought it was really neat.”

Check out the Sabrina Nichols-directed video below

The Breeders are currently on a tour that will continue through next year and feature their classic Breeders-era lineup consisting of Kim Deal (vocals, guitar), Kelley Deal (guitar, vocals), Josephine Wiggs (bass, vocals) and Jim Macpherson (drums, vocals). The remaining tour dates can be found below

THE BREEDERS TOUR DATES:

20 September – PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA, Fillmore %

21 September – SILVER SPRINGS, MD, USA, Fillmore %

23 September – BROOKLYN, NY, USA, Kings Theater %

24 September – BOSTON, MA, USA, House of Blues %

3 October – PHOENIX, AZ, USA, Talking Stick Resort *

5 October – EL PASO, TX, USA, Don Haskins Center *

7 October – FORT WORTH, TX, USA, Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall

8 October – AUSTIN, TX, USA, Austin City Limits Music Festival

13 October – AUSTIN, TX, USA, Stubb’s Waller Creek Ampitheater

15 October – AUSTIN, TX, USA, Austin City Limits Music Festival

18 October – LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever

19 October – LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, The Wiltern #

20 October – SAN DIEGO, CA, USA, Observatory #

22 October – BIG SUR, CA, USA, Henry Miller Library #

23 October – SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA, The Warfield #

25 October – SEATTLE, WA, USA, Paramount #

20 January 2024 – AUCKLAND, NZ, Go Media Stadium *

24 January 2024 – CHRISTCHURCH, NZ, Apollo Projects Stadium *

27 January 2024 – WELLINGTON, NZ, Sky Stadium *

5 April 2024 – NEW YORK, NY, USA, Madison Square Garden ^

6 April 2024 – NEW YORK, NY, USA, Madison Square Garden ^

8 April 2024 – NEW YORK, NY, USA, Madison Square Garden ^

9 April 2024 – NEW YORK, NY, USA, Madison Square Garden ^

13 August 2024 – LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, The Forum ^

14 August 2024 – LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, The Forum ^

16 August 2024 – LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, The Forum ^

17 August 2024 – LOS ANGELES, CA, USA, The Forum ^

* with Foo Fighters

% with Screaming Females

# with Belly

^ with Olivia Rodrigo